Outstanding Sci-Fi thriller that will make you think

Rating: 10/10 (2 August 2009)

Let me explain to you what a great movie Moon is:
Some movies are great because of the supporting cast. Some have tremendous soundtracks that set the tone for every scene. Some have perfectly timed and well executed hilarious gags.
Moon has none of these. The cast is made up of five total people on camera, plus the voice of Kevin Spacey via computer. Sam Rockwell plays Sam Bell, a man contracted to mine the moon for precious resources that are shipped back to Earth, providing 70% of our planet's energy. He is nearing the end of his three year contract, and cannot wait to make the return trip to our blue marble and see his wife and daughter.
As he prepares to come home, with under two weeks left, he suddenly starts having some strange hallucinations and his mind plays tricks on him. His lunar rover crashes, and when he returns to base, he meets another person who looks and sounds just like him.
I'm going to stop summarizing the movie here, to avoid SPOILERS, though a few may trickle in.
I haven't seen any of Rockwell's other movies, to the best of my knowledge, but I can assure you that this is his finest performance. He is in every scene since he is the only living person on the moon. Spacey does an adequate job as the helpful computer, devoid of personality. All of the computer's lines are delivered via a stoic smiley-face image, which adds a touch of humor. The film has a budget of approximately $5 million, but it does more with that amount than others do with $200 million. The base is well constructed, and the outside shots of the rovers and miners on the surface look very professional and like the work of ILM or something similar.
SPOILERS RESUME NOW
The scenes where Rockwell has to interact with the other Sam are excellent. The timing is spot on, and they don't try to cheat it with tricky camera shots and such. They fight, high- five, and carry each other in various scenes. The plot really gets going and touches on corporate greed, cloning, and various conspiracies, large and small. It is not difficult to follow, but the film doesn't hold your hand and show you everything. You do have to make some assumptions and think for yourself. And like all great sci-fi films, the ending provides us with a true hero who's last choices and actions put a perfect bow on the total package.
Moon is similar to Cast Away, but there is no second setting, such as the shipping plant or Tom Hanks' house. No, the entire movie takes place on the moon, and the entire movie is excellent. Be patient with this film and enjoy this Oscar-worthy tale of suspense and action.
Ten out of ten.