Sunshine

Sometimes it can be hard to remember that Science Fiction as a genre can be well done or at least not terribly done. You get caught up in the horrible crap that was say the most recent Star Wars films and you think well this genre really isn't worth staying around. Its sad to say that after my recent viewing of all six films I have firmly decided that Star Wars in all its forms has been ruined. I can still get through the original films but as a friend of mine said all I can see is the flaws. But it isn't just Lucas who is ruining science fiction. Effects laden creature features such as Alien vs. Predator are doing their fare share.

Now I'm sure someone could counter that there is plenty of good science fiction out there and then proceed to list off many an indy movie or foreign film but if it isn't at my local multiplex chances are I am not seeing it. Which is why Sunshine is such a pleasant surprise. It isn't a perfect film by any means but it gets the job done. Its entertaining and generally smart about itself.

In Sunshine, the Sun is dying and therefore Earth is dying. A team was sent on a mission to restart the sun but was lost and now a second team is being sent as the last hope of all mankind. The team consisting of various scientists and pilots must make a crucial decision upon nearing the sun when they discover the previous mission's ship floating in space. How they go about deciding to investigate is rational and smart. The results of that decision play out for the rest of the movie.

Although the film turns down a path I think is a tad on the cheap side, it still manages to jog into the finish line on its strong start. I've heard plenty of criticism about it being cliched or copying from other movies which I find to be lacking in any real criticism what so ever. This film has decent effects, decent actors and a decent story line. Not a perfect film but miles ahead of the competition if its competing against say Revenge of the Sith.