Sunshine is a 2007 sci-fi, thriller from Danny Boyle, written by Alex Garland. It has a beautifully simply premise. The sun is dying, and a small crew are sent out on a space craft, the Icarus 2 to give it a reignite it with a massive bomb.
From here. Garland adopts a simple writing principle which can be really effective: put characters in a situation, and then force them to make difficult decisions that have severe consequences. The difficult decision they need to make here is whether to change course to investigate the Icarus, the first vessel sent to reboot the sun. The benefits of this are that if it’s operational it will give then a second opportunity to launch their bomb into the sun. The risk is that the course to the sun has been carefully calculated, and any change is not without risk.
The decision falls upon Capa (Cillian Murphy) as the one best qualified to make the decision, and everything that follows is as a direct result of that decision, with one problem escalating into the next, which each of the character’s on board the ship affected in different ways. Trey (Benedict Wong) has to recalculate the path, but mistakes are made meaning members of the crew have to carry out repairs to the outside of the vessel. When oxygen supplies are depleted they realise they may not be able to reach their destination… unless lives are lost. It’s a well-constructed plot… until the last half an hour. While I don’t dislike the way it turns out, there’s almost a genre shift as we race towards the conclusion. I’m not giving anything away, but as well as being in the Sci-Fi section on Disney+, it’s also in the horror section.
This decision is an interesting one for many reasons, not least because of the stark differences between science fiction and horror. Science fiction is all about possibility, logic and some degree of explanation. You expect a degree of feasibility in the future technology and science. What we have in the last section is an abandonment of the rational, with spiritual beliefs being a driving factor in the actions of a character who is very much the antagonist at the end.
It’s definitely one to seek out if you’ve not seen it. The cast is great: in addition to those already mention we have Chris Evans (between Fantastic Four films), Michelle Youh, Cliff Curtis, Rose Bryne and Hiroyuki Sanada. The pace is quick. We very quickly get up to speed with the story and things escalate very fast. The whole thing is a little over 100 minutes. The score, though, that’s what’s most impressive. John Murphy (who previously worked with Boyle on 28 Days Later, and the score on that it outstanding too) absolutely nails the mood. Check out Adagio in D Minor.
Most of those who disliked it tend to be those that felt the final act didn’t sit with the rest. Should a fim stay very much in one genre? Can you get away with sending it spiralling in another direction? Have you seen Sunshine? Let me know your thoughts on it.
Benjamin Langley 