A Great but Flawed Film

Rating: 8/10 (19 January 2019)

4 February 2010. MOON is perhaps one of the most difficult of films to judge because the basic plot outline and the emotional messages are so penetrating and compelling that like THERE WILL BE BLOOD (2007), the performances and the story are so intriguing and captivating that the movie's flaws seem to be washed over, if not away by the end of the movie. However, there are enough inconsistencies and issues with MOON that while this movie is great, it likely misses being a classic, like a blemished diamond. However, overall, MOON is a powerful movie with a strong story that is involving, surprising at times and more down to earth than initially meets the eye. There are resemblances to a number of other movies, especially 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and the set design is strongly suggestive of parts of Nosotromo in ALIEN (1979). There are also a spattering of themes from SOYLENT GREEN (1973), OUTLAND (1981), BLADE RUNNER (1982), and THE MATRIX (1999). One problem is the expanded room scene using fake background illustrations, though a bit better than those in the next to the last episode (a haunting one at that) of the original STAR TREK - "All Our Yesterdays" (1969) and the corridor of vast computer library. There are also problems with moon tracks in the dust which really would have given away too much for anyone really looking. It's also too bad that plot ideas from MULTIPLICITY (1996) couldn't have been used to lighten things up. Even with the few problems with this movie is it very entertaining and by the end a rewarding movie experience.