Sunshine (2007)

Overall rating from 1 to 100: 93

O Masterpiece (95-100)
X Excellent (75-94)
O Good video rental (60-74)
O Merely OK (50-59)
O Pure mediocrity (30-49)
O Medusa: don't watch (1-29)

Review by Jason Pyles / August 4, 2007

OK, get this: Imagine if someone described the following science fiction movie premise to you: The movie is simply titled “Sunshine” and begins with a shot of the sun. There’s a voice-over narration that explains that our sun is dying, and mankind faces extinction. The narrator proceeds to explain that it is his team’s mission is to “restart the sun” and create a star within a star.

Sounds lame, right? Wrong.

“Sunshine” isn’t the same kind of sci-fi movie that “Armageddon” (1998) is, oh no. “Sunshine” is a sci-fi film along the same lines as “2001: A Space Odyssey,” the type of movie that seems like it’s more science than fiction.

The genius of “Sunshine” is this: The sun is simultaneously the precious subject of concern and the monster. Wonder, awe and respect describe the way the crew regards the sun, which is, as it should be.

The setting is in the future. A second team of Earth’s best astronauts and scientists are hurling toward the sun, strapped to the back of a giant bomb with obscene power. (Oh, and their ship has shields for the profound, ever-increasing heat.) This mission is called Icarus II. There was an Icarus I attempt, but they never reached the sun.

We follow a physicist named Robert Capa (Cillian Murphy) and his team as they approach the monstrous star. As is the case with astronauts, their calculations and measurements must be exactly precise — or else. So, there’s that to contend with, and then there’s unforeseen complications that always accompany humans and manmade products.

The movie is filled with many beautiful moments. The dialogue — somehow — doesn’t seem corny like something from Buck Rogers. Perhaps it is, in part, the actors’ fine delivery.

Unfortunately, this movie falls shy of being a masterpiece because it doesn’t stay true to its convictions. I felt a little betrayed when “Sunshine” disappointingly replaces our fears elsewhere, meaning not with the sun. This subplot figuratively (and literally) carries the movie’s mission off track. It gets a little too arty for my taste. You’ll see what I mean.

Even so, I still love this movie. I gave it a 93 out of 100 (which is coincidental because the Earth is typically about 93 million miles from the sun).

“Sunshine” is a limited release, which means that it is not commonly found among the multiplexes and the summer popcorn movies, at least not yet. But if you live near a big city, and you love science fiction, then make the trip. “Sunshine” is excellent and a must-see.

Directed by Danny Boyle
Cillian Murphy / Chris Evans / Cliff Curtis
108 min. Sci-Fi
MPAA: R (for violent content and language)

Copyright 2007.
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