2008 Woodie Awards
When the sun dies
Matthew Lee
Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: Entertainment
Sunshine, written by Alex Garland and directed by Danny Boyle, is the story of eight astronauts and their journey to reanimate our sun. Sunshine, released in July of this year, includes a host of well known actors including Cillian Murphy, also seen as the Scarecrow in Batman Begins, Chris Evans, also seen as The Human Torch in The Fantastic Four, and Cliff Curtis, also seen as Bowman in Live Free or Die Hard. These three, along with the five other lesser known actors, guide us through the ship's turmoil and trials as they make the long journey to our sun.
The film opens with a distant picture of the sun surrounded by total darkness. In the background, the voice of the physicist Robert Kappa, Murphy, comes in as he explains that "our sun is dying," as it has all but run out of fissionable matter to burn. As the narration continues it is learned that his ship, the Icarus II, was sent with a payload the size of Manhattan Island containing every last pound of fissionable matter left on earth when the crew of the Icarus I mysteriously disappeared without completing their mission. The mission itself is the successful delivery of their "stellar bomb" which theoretically will create a smaller star within our sun delivering more heat and light to a very cold and dark earth. The scene fades out as Kappa tells us that there are "Eight astronauts strapped to the back of a bomb, my bomb, welcome to Icarus II."
As the crew of the Icarus II approachs the sun they happen to notice the passing of Mercury as it orbits the sun. As they prepare to slingshot around the planet they notice the distress beacon of the Icarus I. Left with the decision to investigate or ignore, the crew is ultimately driven to go to the crippled ship as Kappa decides that "two payloads are better than one." This decision begins a sequence of events that leads to the death of many of the crew members and damage to the ship, as a calculation error in angle of approach caused many of the shielding plates to become useless. With a destroyed oxygen garden and many of their close friends gone, they must face the inevitability of their own deaths. However, they are given little time to deal with the situation as one of the crew of the Icarus I snuck aboard the Icarus II and threatens to destroy the mission. It is left to Kappa and the rest of the crew to ensure the success of the "stellar bomb" and the survival of their fellow mankind.
Murphy and Evans provide skillful performances, as do Curtis and lesser known Rose Byrne. While the film is futuristic, the actors allow for its more convoluted aspects to become more believable. The film itself is one hour and forty seven minutes long, including credits; however, if you are interested in a performance that involves technological marvels and gripping characters, then Sunshine is worth every minute.
The film opens with a distant picture of the sun surrounded by total darkness. In the background, the voice of the physicist Robert Kappa, Murphy, comes in as he explains that "our sun is dying," as it has all but run out of fissionable matter to burn. As the narration continues it is learned that his ship, the Icarus II, was sent with a payload the size of Manhattan Island containing every last pound of fissionable matter left on earth when the crew of the Icarus I mysteriously disappeared without completing their mission. The mission itself is the successful delivery of their "stellar bomb" which theoretically will create a smaller star within our sun delivering more heat and light to a very cold and dark earth. The scene fades out as Kappa tells us that there are "Eight astronauts strapped to the back of a bomb, my bomb, welcome to Icarus II."
As the crew of the Icarus II approachs the sun they happen to notice the passing of Mercury as it orbits the sun. As they prepare to slingshot around the planet they notice the distress beacon of the Icarus I. Left with the decision to investigate or ignore, the crew is ultimately driven to go to the crippled ship as Kappa decides that "two payloads are better than one." This decision begins a sequence of events that leads to the death of many of the crew members and damage to the ship, as a calculation error in angle of approach caused many of the shielding plates to become useless. With a destroyed oxygen garden and many of their close friends gone, they must face the inevitability of their own deaths. However, they are given little time to deal with the situation as one of the crew of the Icarus I snuck aboard the Icarus II and threatens to destroy the mission. It is left to Kappa and the rest of the crew to ensure the success of the "stellar bomb" and the survival of their fellow mankind.
Murphy and Evans provide skillful performances, as do Curtis and lesser known Rose Byrne. While the film is futuristic, the actors allow for its more convoluted aspects to become more believable. The film itself is one hour and forty seven minutes long, including credits; however, if you are interested in a performance that involves technological marvels and gripping characters, then Sunshine is worth every minute.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
chad
posted 2/03/08 @ 11:04 AM EST
This is scientifically atrocious, but so are many other movies. It definitely sounds like the kind of thing you wait until it comes out on cable, or download. (Continued…)
Post a Comment