by Mitch Emerson

Title: Sunshine
Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, Troy Garity, Rose Byrne
Directed By: Danny Boyle
Produced By: Andrew Macdonald, Bernard Bellew
Genre: Action/Adventure, Art/Foreign, Drama, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Thriller
Release Date: July 27, 2007 MPAA
Rating: R
Distributors: 20th Century Fox International, Fox Searchlight Pictures

When the sun begins to die, a team of scientists - Cassie (Rose Byrne), Searle (Cliff Curtis), Mace (Chris Evans), Harvey (Troy Garity), Capa (Cillian Murphy), Kaneda (Hiroyuki Sanada), Trey (Benedict Wong) and Corazon (Michell Yeogh) are sent to reignite the sun in order to save all of mankind. Through unforeseen events, catastrophes, and sabotage, the crew are in a race against time while someone or something is determined to stop them.

Cillian Murphy looks into the power of the sun. Copyright © Fox Searchlight Pictures

On the surface Sunshine is your standard Sci-Fi deep space disaster movie, but there is something underlying that speaks volumes. Sunshine is about sacrifices. Plain and simple. Through many mini disasters you see the crews determination to complete the mission at all costs including murder, sacrifice and downright lunacy. Danny Boyle proves once again that he is on the rise. Although the story is slow at times, there is enough action, thrills and suspense to keep you hanging on for the ride. Towards the end things get a little hazy due to some chaotic camera movements and a blurring effect that I believe is supposed to add an element of the unknown but just frustrated me as I wanted to see what the hell was going on! But, in the end, it all comes together to make for a slightly different take on the standard plot of this type while still packing a punch.

Each actor and actress has at least one shining moment on the big screen. Whether it's emotional turmoil due to a decision that needs to be made, determination to follow through, or a reaction to an event. I don't want to break this down as I usually do, but let it suffice to say that there aren't any bad performances in this flick and that while there won't be any awards for Sunshine, the importance of their mission lends a gravity to each performance.

Effects wise there are some beautiful shots of the sun and it's raw power, as well as other displays of energy signatures and things of that sort. Nothing super outstanding, good or bad. And to me that is a sign of well done effects. You just accept them for what they are.

Final thoughts - while this movie will most likely be attacked for it's lack of scientific realism (I have said it before and I will say it again - If you want realism, watch a documentary), I will, at the very least, recommend it for a DVD viewing if you can't catch it while it is in theaters.

Keep reading,

Mitch E.

mitchemerson@hotmail.com