Sunshine (Blu-Ray)
Introduction:
"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." Capa pauses for a short time then glances up. "Eight astronauts strapped to the back of a bomb. My bomb. Welcome to the Icarus Two."
Overview:
Sunshine is a brilliantly crafted science fiction epic from acclaimed director Danny Boyle (28 Days Later, Trainspotting) and writer Alex Garland (28 Days Later). Not only does the film feature an immersive and surprisingly scientifically sound story but also an amazingly talented cast. Leading the way is the always brilliant Cillian Murphy as Robert Capa, a theoretical physicist who is responsible for the creation of the fission bomb now strapped to the front of the Icarus Two, along with a well thought out and nationally diverse supporting cast including Chris Evans, Rose Byrne, Michelle Yeoh, Cliff Curtis, Troy Garity, Hiroyukie Sanada, Benedict Wong, and Mark Strong.
Plot:
The plot is relatively straight forward and while it does resort to some science fiction clichés it never purposely traffics in them. Some of these ideals have evolved for a reason and have proven to stand the test of time. We find ourselves 50 years into the future, our Sun is dying and with it the Earth as well. A team of astronauts, scientists, and specialists are sent into space to revive the Sun, give new birth to the dying star - but something goes wrong and the mission fails. Seven years later, a new team is sent to finish the mission as they are Earth's last hope. All of humanity, life as we know it, rests in the hands of these 8 people. The film progresses from this point and follows our crew on their long and daunting mission to the Sun. Plot twists leap out at the most unexpected places and Murphy's Law seems to be running in overdrive. Any thing that can go wrong, will. The film also manages to touch on a lot of different issues through a very subtle veil of sub context, from mortality to the existence of God, however the film does it in a fashion that refuses to be anything less then thought provoking while at the same time not taking away from the movie itself. Think of it as the classic science fiction film for those that hated 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Presentation:
I've viewed this film multiple times on multiple different formats and multiple TVs (HD and SD). My original viewing however was on Sony Blu-Ray and a Sony Bravia XBR 1080P LCD HDTV, along with a Sony Home Surround System in DTS HD 5.1 Master Lossless Surround audio. The visuals in this film are so far beyond amazing that I can't even come up with a proper analogy to describe just how stunning it is. I have never before seen such vibrant and saturated colors, contrasts, and sharp lines before in any of my other Blu-Ray films (and I do have more then a handful). It is in all sense of the statement, a visual masterpiece and that does include the cinematography. On the audio side of things the film once again doesn't disappoint. The sounds were crisp, clear, and never once did it suffer from over exposure. The musical score is genius in almost every way, from building piano crescendos to disheartening and almost ambient overtures.
Specifications
Video
AVC
@ 16 MBS
2007/Color
107 Minutes
Widescreen
2.35:1
50GB
Dual Layer
Audio
English
DTS HD 5.1
Master
Lossless Audio
English
5.1 Dolby
Surround
Spanish
5.1 Dolby
Surround
French
5.1 Dolby
Surround
Subtitles
Subtitled
In English
Subtitled
In Spanish
Subtitled
In Cantonese
Subtitled
In Korean
Special Features:
The version that I picked up has more then the ample supply of special features. Most is fan service at best however there are some gems among them. All in all for the $29.95 I paid for the Blu-Ray version of this film, I do not feel shafted.
Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by Danny Boyle
Web Production Diaries
2 Short Films with Introduction by Danny Boyle
Commentary by Director Danny Boyle
Commentary by Dr. Brian Cox, University of Manchester
Enhanced Viewing Mode with the Filmmakers of Sunshine
Journey Into Sound - Surround Sound Enhancement
Theatrical Trailer in High Definition
Conclusion:
I feel that this will be one of those films that will stand the test of time just as 2001: A Space Odyssey did before it. While not quite as though provoking as Kubrick’s work the film manages to be deep and also keep you entertained. If you have the ability I recommend the Blu-Ray version of the film so you can take full advantage of the amazing visuals and sounds, if not, still purchase this movie. Even on a standard definition television the film manages to be beautiful.
Capa blinks slowly at the screen before him, pauses, then takes a deep breath, carefully collecting his thoughts and formulating his words. "By the time you get this message, I'll be in the dead zone. It came a little sooner than we thought, but this means you won't be able to send a message back. So, I just wanted to let you know that I don't need the message because I know everything you wanna say. Just remember it takes eight minutes for light to travel from sun to Earth, which means you'll know we succeeded about eight minutes after we deliver the payload. All you have to is look out for a little extra brightness in the sky." He takes another deep breath and half hearted smiles, "So if you wake up one morning and it's a particularly beautiful day, you'll know we made it. Okay, I'm signing out and I'll see you in a couple years."
My Score: 10/10