Sunshine [DVD] [2007]

This review gives a short review of the film itself before concentrating on the extras. Hopefully this will help potential purchasers decide whether they want this movie in their collection.

I saw this movie twice at the cinema. Now I have the DVD, the more I watch this film the more impressed I am: camerawork, editing - both sound AND picture - music, effects are all worthy of praise. The acting too is good, although some of the diction of the actors leave a little to be desired. But overall, this is a triumph of British cinema: a visual masterpiece.

There are a few problems with the otherwise-excellent plot. For example, how come no one is Capa's deputy in case he becomes indisposed? How come no one protests when Mace volunteers Capa to go outside with the captain to assess the damage to the shield? And why does Capa go alone to the observation room to see who is the fifth unknown crew member, and why would the computer allow the room to be drenched with full sunlight when it was occupied?

One of the few things I would change is that I would have used John Murphy's excellent music over the closing credits, thus leaving the audience to leave the cinema on a high.

My DVD comes with a chirpy commentary by Danny Boyle (pre-Slumdog) in which he comments on the tricks employed in the movie, the colour palette, camerawork and other technical issues. He acknowledges that serious science fiction requires a slow pace, and identifies the three elements that all serious sci-fi films possess: a ship, a crew, and a signal that changes everything.

As influences, he name-checks Scott's `Alien', Kubrick's `2001', and Tarkovsky's `Solaris' as the main influences; but also `Apocalypse Now!' (seeing Pinbacker as a Kurtz-figure, and suggesting `Sunshine' could have been called, after Conrad, `Heart of Lightness') , `Das Boot', `Shallow Grave', and `Blade Runner'. The only other thing I would mention about Boyle's commentary is the great disservice he does to Cornish pasties: cardboard ingredients indeed!

The second commentary is by the physicist Brian Cox, who advised on the film. He was told it had to be believable but that some compromises had to be made, so the science was `bended' here and there for artistic licence. To address the basic premise of the movie he proposes the existence of super-symmetric particles (Q-Balls) and bets with the audience that these will have been found by 2017. Cox's is also a useful commentary for explaining some of the events on-board, such as why the oxygen garden burned and Capa's thinking behind blowing the airlock door.

The other extras include nineteen minutes of deleted scenes, most of which should have been included in the movie in my opinion. These scenes, as well as being interesting in themselves, answered some questions: for instance, why there are no suits in Icarus I. Then there follows a whole host of short documentaries on various aspects of the film, including each of the eight-member crew, technical issues, the physics involved, and set design etc. Danny Boyle also chucks in two short films by other directors, but these fail to impress.

Overall then, this is a generous DVD package for a film that, in my opinion, gives more every time it's watched.

A lot of people have given this negative reviews on here. I've read their reviews and the main criticisms seem to be:

1. It's boring. That's true, if you're the kind of person who can't sit through any film that doesn't have gunfire and explosions through 90% of the movie.

2. It's not a good Sci-Fi movie like Armageddon. Well, the fact that these people think Armageddon is great tells us something about their taste.

3. It's scientifically inaccurate. I find it hilarious that these critics think they know more about physics than Dr Cox, the scientific advisor who provides a commentary on the DVD. Of course there is artistic licence, but there's nothing wrong with that.

4. The end doesn't make sense. No, the end is confusing - there's a big difference.

5. The characters are paper thin. Again, not true. There is so much depth to the characters, but you need to actually think about it. Like any good script, this shows us the depth to the characters, rather than telling us. Look especially at Chris Evans' character.

This is an amazing film, and is easily the best of 2007 (so far). There are plenty of films for the people who didn't like this, but there are only a few movies with the perfect mix of style and substance that Sunshine achieves.

I've never written a review on here before- but i just had to disagree with the review that was already here! Sunshine is one of the best films i've seen in years.

The set is beautiful- and actually constructed for a change. Danny Boyle really pulls off the clostrophobia of alien and the romance and sterility of 2001 all in one. and i for one loved all the exterior shots! I really don't think boyle went overboard on the CGI. having an on-board physist really made for an interesting (and different) ship.

The performances are wonderful without exception. But Hiroyuki Sanada and Cillian Murphy really shine. Everything is subtle and underplayed- just the way a big sci-fi should be.

The underworld score is just fantastic. Giving a feel of unease and hyperactivity all the way through. The direction is mindblowing (especially the end sequence)... I just loved this film.

and remember- when you buy this fantastic film- you're supporting the british film industry!