Smart, morally complicated sci-fi

Rating: 10/10 (3 October 2012)

I like movies that put characters in moral dilemmas in which nothing they choose is easy or right, and yet they must choose. Science fiction is uniquely suited to create exactly this kind of moral dilemma -- but most film sci-fi is just mindless adventure. So I'm thrilled when something this brilliant and powerful comes along.
To enjoy this movie, though, you actually have to think, and emotionally invest in the characters. To put it bluntly, this is the kind of movie that dumb people call dumb, because they don't realize (or don't care) how many levels it's working on.
Most movie sci-fi doesn't approach the level of print sci-fi. This one does. As a science fiction writer and longtime critic, I'm happy to certify that this is as powerful and challenging a sci-fi movie as I've seen. If you loved Phantom Menace, you'll HATE this film.