Directed by Danny Boyle
Written by Alex Garland
Starring Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Michelle Yeoh, Chris Evans, Cliff Curtis, Hiroyuki Sanada, Benedict Wong, Troy Garity
Rated R
Our sun is dying. Mankind faces extinction. Seven years ago the Icarus project sent a mission to restart the sun but that mission was lost before it reached the star. Sixteen months ago, I, Robert Capa, and a crew of seven left earth frozen in a solar winter. Our payload a stellar bomb with a mass equivalent to Manhattan Island. Our purpose to create a star within a star. Eight astronauts strapped to the back of a bomb. My bomb. Welcome to the Icarus Two.
These are the first words we hear immediately at the beginning of Sunshine, the 2007 sci-fi film from director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, Slumdog Millionaire). Simple and to the point, this narration is spoken by Capa (Cilian Murphy), the physicist aboard Icarus Two who has designed the bomb on their ship that will reignite the sun. Yes, this is one of those movies where a crew is sent to save humanity from a threat, but Sunshine treads into very unique territory.
First of all, what other movies can you think of whose entire central premise revolves around a mission to the sun? Any? I like that Boyle’s first foray into outer space is tackling probably the biggest problem that could affect Earth…the death of our sun. Granted, in reality, the sun won’t die out for billions of years, but this is still a great premise if you will suspend reality a bit. How can you possibly get that close to the sun? What physical and psychological effects would it have on you? Would it even be possible to get there and back with future technology? The amazing thing about Sunshine is that it answers all of these questions and more with answers that may not be scientifically accurate but certainly seem plausible in the universe Boyle has created. If you’re a physicist, I guess the film may frustrate you (tho an additional commentary track on the film is from Dr. Brian Cox who served as the scientific advisor). But if you just accept the facts and enjoy the story, you’re in for a hell of a ride.
Sunshine is one of the most ambitious yet overlooked films of the past decade. How did a science fiction film, complete with action and special effects, about a mission to restart the sun go almost unnoticed at the box office in July? Domestically, the film grossed just over 3 million dollars. Worldwide, it made much more (28 million) probably because of its largely international cast. I don’t know what happened to the marketing of this film, but it was virtually non-existent. I don’t even remember seeing a trailer on TV, any stars interviewed on late night shows, etc. The movie opened up against The Simpson Movie plus Transformers was already in the theater, so maybe it never stood a chance? Too bad since this film is infinitely better than Transformers. Yes, I said it, nerds!
In the DVD commentary for the film, Boyle talks about how great sci-fi films are built around 3 things - the ship, the crew, and “the signal”. As the Icarus Two is en-route, they receive a distress signal from the Icarus One which launched 7 years prior. Once they decide to alter their course for it, they embark on a journey which has psychological elements of 2001 and Solaris as well as some pulse-pounding action and horror. Notice how some characters are obsessed with the sun (as entire civilizations and religions have been). Even the name of the ship is a nod towards the humility that man was shown in heliocentric ideals.
The special effects in the film are top-notch. The ship modeling is flawless, the computers aboard the ship are believable, and most shockingly, the scenes of the sun - even up close - are realistic and terrifying.
Danny Boyle has a terrific directing style. While this is his first foray into space (and probably last - he says that most directors only go to space once), I like how he masterfully creates a sense of location and perception at all times. You are always aware of where a character is at inside or outside of the ship and the dangers that are inherent. I like some of his personal touches such as when the crew of Icarus Two boards a desolate Icarus One, and we get split second glimpses of the crew that are so brief, they shouldn’t be able to be caught by the naked eye. Yet, the backdrop they are against is so stark that you can see them in vivid detail. It’s fun to hear Boyle talk about this scene on the commentary as well.
The casting is excellent. Many people you will recognize but not necessarily know their name such as Rose Byrne (from FX’s “Damages”) and Cliff Curtis (primarily smaller roles in a very wide range of films including the gang member Smiley from Training Day). One of the surprises for me was Chris Evans. The only thing I’d seen him in prior was as the annoying Human Torch in the dreadful Fantastic Four, so I’d written him off. But this guy can act and is seriously convincing as a man who is solely mission-focused and willing to sacrifice anyone or anything for the sake of that mission.
To round things off, I have to talk about the music of the film. John Murphy’s score here is simply one of the best I’ve heard in a while. It is beautiful and moving in how it communicates duty, sacrifice, struggle, and redemption. It creates a tone in the film that is mesmerizing, heroic, and haunting,
Sunshine is not a perfect film. I can’t really get into what doesn’t quite work for me without giving spoilers. But, I still see this as a Hidden Gem because I’m surprised at the number of people I talk to who have never heard of it. This is a marvelous spectacle that you really need to see whether you are a sci-fi fan or not. It’s a great story about man’s ultimate struggle for survival. It is also proof that a summer blockbuster can have a brain and still be thrilling.
P.S. - The music from the trailer is not the John Murphy score and is not even used in the film. Below, I have the trailer for the film and below that, the main John Murphy score.
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