Director Sebastian Cordero (Rage, Pescador) follows a team of intrepid space explorers to one of Jupiter's moons on a mission to investigate evidence of a subterranean ocean that could contain single-celled life in this ambitious sci-fi thriller produced in collaboration with NASA. Determined to explore the possibility that the oceans of Europa could harbor primitive life, a privately funded firm called Europa Ventures assembles six of planet Earth's best astronauts, and sends them deeper into the stars than any human has ever traveled. Sharlto Copley, Michael Nyqvist, and Christian Camargo star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Sebastian Cordero
Cast: Sharlto Copley, Michael Nyqvist, Christian Camargo, Embeth Davidtz, Dan Fogler
Release Date: Aug 02, 2013
Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and peril
Runtime: 1 hr. 30 min.
Genres: Action/Adventure, Documentary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Review:
The trailer for Europa Report sold it as a straight up found footage sci-fi / horror film, something akin to the disappointing Apollo 18. The trailer really doesn’t do the film justice. Director Sebastian Cordero delivers an elegant looking, if emotionally detached sci-fi film. Cordero’s direction and handling of the story is all grounded firmly in reality. All the action progresses in a believable manner with the science being discussed ringing true. Its documentary feel adds to the authenticity of the whole thing but we never really connect with the characters. It’s a shame because there’s a solid cast assembled with Sharlto Copley and Michael Nyqvist being the most recognizable. Those expecting Copley to be front and center will be left disappointed as his role is rather limited. Additionally, those expecting a plus pounding thrill ride, like the trailer hints at, will be left just as disappointed. Europa Report is slow burn throughout, feeling more akin to Danny Boyles’s underrated Sunshine (first 2/3rds at least), Kubrick’s 2001 or Andrei Tarkovsky’s Solaris. The final reveal might leave some people disappointed because it not the big moment you’d expect. Eurpoa Report is far more pensive and grounded about itself, opting for a more realistic ending.
B
Haven't heard of this one
ReplyDeleteI like the comparison to Sunshine as it's one of my favourites.
It sounds very decent
K :-)
It's pretty solid K. Nice to hear I'm not the only who loved sunshine!
DeleteI love Sunshine! It's a close race between it and Shallow Grave for my favourite Danny Boyle film
DeleteWill be keeping an eye out for this one
I've never seen Shallow Grave, really should check it out!
DeleteVery excited for this. Looks like an interesting homage to the classic 70 sci-fi.
ReplyDeleteLove that you mentioned the "first 2/3rds of Sunshine". These are really, really good, but the last third is so dumb, it almost destroys the whole movie.
It's a slow burn and doesn't go for shock scares, it's good hard scifi. I love Sunshine but that last act is like a different movie.
DeleteI expected this to be more horror, but ended up having a great time with a surprisingly good sci-fi drama - and I loved it way more than Sunshine ;)
DeleteI kept expecting it to take a horror turn as well but it stayed grounded and very realistic throughout. Personally I think Sunshine and this are 2 different type of films with Sunshine being the better made film, IMO.
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