Sunshine [Blu-ray]
Studio: Tcfhe Release Date: 09/30/2008 Run time: 110 minutes Rating: RA novel blend of doomsday thriller and meditative science fiction, Danny Boyle’s Sunshine imagines a disturbing future in which mankind must re-ignite the sun or face total extinction. A team of scientists and crew members (played by an eclectic cast that includes Cillian Murphy from Boyle’s 28 Days Later, The Fantastic Four’s Chris Evans, Rose Byrne of TV’s Damages, and martial-arts legend Michelle Yeoh) is dispatched to the dying star, but disaster strikes from almost every conceivable angle; as the crew is whittled down by accidents and psychological breaks, the survivors must discover a way to carry out the mission or seal the fate of the world’s population. Alternately exciting and pensive, Sunshine’s dichotomous tone may throw viewers expecting a special-effects bonanza (though the film’s visuals are frequently stunning), but for those who recall such cerebral ’70s efforts as Silent Running and Phase IV, Boyle’s unusual take will be refreshing and even fascinating. The DVD includes commentaries by Boyle and Dr. Brian Cox, who served as the film’s science advisor; Boyle also lends his voice to a brace of deleted scenes, including an alternate ending (which doesn’t improve on the one used in the film). Thorough production diaries cover every aspect of the film’s execution, from casting to special effects design, while a pair of unrelated short films by Chris Shepherd and Dan Arnold seems to be included only as a gesture of Boyle’s appreciation for these directors. –Paul Gaita
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Visual masterpiece..
This movie cannot be easily classified. Yes, it is a sci-fi movie, but it’s more a psychological drama about death and the quest for God. It’s a drama that happens to take place in space.
The tension becomes very tight as the movie progresses and as the characters try to survive, both from nature and each other.
“2001″ and “Alien” are similar films; in terms of the level of fear and paranoia that are generated for the viewer.
Highly recommended for sci-fi fans in particular.
4 Stars Strange but good
For the life of me I can’t say why I keep watching this movie over and over but I do.
The first time I watched it I didn’t pay much attention and it caught my interest at the end so I had to re-watch it. Then I started picking apart the physics and although there are the normal Hollywood stupidities - the overall physics are not too shabby (compared to most sci-fi’s). Then I just enjoyed the movie having picked it apart…
This is a movie worthy of time and attention. Its attractive in a dark, strange sort of way (ironic that its about bright sunshine and I find it a little dark… 
) Overall, this is a movie worth owning - not perfect but watchable more then once.
5 Stars Very well done film, distinctly different (and better) than most recent science fiction movies
_Sunshine_ was a very well made science fiction film, one that had some excellent special effects. The basic premise is that in the future, the mid 21st century, our Sun is dying and unless something is done, humanity and perhaps all life on Earth will perish. A daring, bold plan is launched, a scheme to reignite the Sun with a huge bomb basically, flown to its target by a crewed spaceship protected by a massive shield. The ship is called the _Icarus_.
Unfortunately, something happened to the _Icarus_ as it not only failed in its mission but it was never heard from again. The Earth has one more chance, mining all the fissile materials left in the world and sending them with _Icarus II_ . If this mission fails, the Earth is likely doomed. The movie focuses on the ship and crew of _Icarus II_.
_Sunshine_ reminded me of several other films or perhaps styles of film making. I have seen other reviewers call the film pensive sometimes, and with this I agree. There were many scenes of the various crew members (including Cillian Murphy from _Batman Begins_ and _28 Days Later_ and Michelle Yeoh of martial arts fame) quietly mediating, contemplating reality, their life, composing somewhat sad and very thoughtful video messages for people back home, wistfully experiencing brief scenes of life back on Earth in a holodeck of sorts, or looking and getting lost in heavily filtered images of the increasingly large Sun, a huge disc that appears many, many times the size of our star as seen in the skies of Earth. With the long, empty corridors, the quiet hum of the ship’s machinery, the dark, gray, or white colors of most of the ship, the half-spoken conversations people have at times, perhaps indicating crew members long familiar with one another and all that they might say, or perhaps indicating depression, an unspoken thought that we are all doomed, the movie had a kind of _2001_ or _Solaris_ feel to it. This isn’t a space movie where people are cheering or gambling or carousing, it is a film in which the crew members of the ship, though they have their angers and their fears (one character says every dream she ever has, as soon as she closes her eyes, is of the surface of the Sun), for the most part are grimly going about their task, all along the way basically saying goodbye to life and remembering what was.
With the very well done but dark and foreboding shots of _Icarus II_ in space and the film’s quiet but moody music, _Sunshine_ had a building horror vibe to it, a sense of coming doom, not the doom of a suicide mission, but the doom of the inescapable feeling that something is going to go very wrong, a strong sense of the classic “I got a bad feeling about this.” The filmmakers did a skillful job of showing how scary space can be…the endless dark, far from home, having to rely on equipment that could break down at any time and kill you in seconds, of being stuck with crew members that may go crazy in the long, long darkness…very well done.
I don’t wish to spoil the film, but later on other aspects reminded me a lot of _Event Horizon_. I know there are a number of people who didn’t like that film (I think I am one of the relatively few exceptions) but to me part of the movie was a lot like that, a ghost story in space (though done even better than in _Event Horizon_). Going back to my earlier point, the filmmakers did a good job of populating deep space with scary (though realistic) things.
An enjoyable movie, the movie also had some good action sequences and a satisfying ending. I don’t think this movie got near the publicity it deserved when it was on the big screen and it is truly one of the better efforts in science fiction film making in recent years, a vivid and stark contrast to some of the incredibly fast-paced, explosion-loving, frenetic, visually overloaded films coming out of Hollywood in the last five or six years.
4 Stars A fantastic sci-fi epic that falters in the finale.
In the realm of science-fiction cinema, rarely does a film exhibit new ideas regarding plot. Director Danny Boyle’s new sci-fi thriller, “Sunshine,” adheres to the general plotline of its predecessors “Armageddon” and “The Core,” where a highly capable team is dispatched to prevent the destruction of humanity. In this case, it’s to revive our dying Sun via nuclear blast. The structure is cliché, but amidst the impressive special effects and grand camera shots lays an intriguing commentary on the human condition when in dire situations.
While Earth remains crippled in a solar winter, a team of eight, comprised of mathematicians and physicists, board the Icarus II with the task of re-igniting the Sun with a massive payload. The crew struggles to cope with the responsibility of their mission, coming to question rationality and their own judgment. After a minor miscalculation jeopardizes the entire mission by diminishing the oxygen supply, head physicist, Capa (Cillian Murphy) is forced to lead an assignment to locate Icarus I, which vanished seven years prior for unknown reasons. Their plan must succeed if they ever hope to reach the payload’s destination and save humankind.
Set in 2057, “Sunshine” portrays the future with numerous logical fallacies, however, everything is breathtakingly convincing through the impressive cinematography and art direction. The Sun’s overwhelming, golden sheen cascades across the surface of Icarus II while its interior features a multitude of monitors, holograms, data analyzers, and lush oxygen garden. It never loses believability and will continually leave viewers in awe.
Composer John Murphy, alongside the electronic band Underworld, pieces together the trance-like soundtrack. Every ominous chord and verberation supports the dreary, tense nature of the crew’s harrowing journey. The most insignificant clanks of the ship strengthens the isolated atmosphere while the cryptic, aged distress signal from the Icarus I instills a sense of dread. Each facet of design blends beautifully, creating a cinematic masterpiece.
The actors capture the reoccurring discord throughout “Sunshine,” arguing and even physically fighting amongst one another. While most of their performances are forgetful when compared to the greater presence of atmosphere, Cillian Murphy is incredibly convincing as Capa. Through the desperation in his voice and actions, Murphy embodies the dedication of the crew and portrays the caliber of their mission.
Much of “Sunshine” is slow paced, building up to the conclusion, which is ultimately quite disappointing. The themes emphasized earlier in the film become convoluted in the final act, relinquishing them for a god-complex. Also, an antagonist is introduced when the film clearly doesn’t need one. The oppressiveness of the circumstances themselves is enough. Although the initial aspirations of “Sunshine” are lost in its B-movie, slasher-esque finale, the film does tie up nicely. It’s just unfortunate that an essence Boyle’s 2002 zombie-thriller “28 Days Later” somehow nudged itself into this film.
“Sunshine” is an ambitious film, rampant with atmosphere and featuring a compelling look at human nature. Although this ambition is detrimental to the last quarter of the film, it still manages to form a provocative piece of cinema that will undoubtedly appeal to those who want substance with their visual flair.
5 Stars The audio is amazing!
Sunshine from Oscar winning director Danny Boyle is just riveting! Easily my favorite of his films. What’s there not to like about this pic? The acting is solid, the cinematography and set desings are out of this world, and the score and sound of this blu ray are showcase material. Easily a must own for fans of the film.
This is a film that requires multiple viewings. I can bet that you will like it more with every watch. The story is of a group of astronauts that are trying to blow up the sun to save the planet. They are not the first ones to attempt such a feat however. Emotional and hypnotic, this is truly a film to check into!
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