Studio: Tcfhe Release Date: 09/30/2008 Run time: 110 minutes Rating: R

A novel blend of doomsday thriller and meditative science fiction, Danny Boyle's Sunshine imagines a disturbing future in which mankind must re-ignite the sun or face total extinction. A team of scientists and crew members (played by an eclectic cast that includes Cillian Murphy from Boyle's 28 Days Later, The Fantastic Four's Chris Evans, Rose Byrne of TV's Damages, and martial-arts legend Michelle Yeoh) is dispatched to the dying star, but disaster strikes from almost every conceivable angle; as the crew is whittled down by accidents and psychological breaks, the survivors must discover a way to carry out the mission or seal the fate of the world's population. Alternately exciting and pensive, Sunshine's dichotomous tone may throw viewers expecting a special-effects bonanza (though the film's visuals are frequently stunning), but for those who recall such cerebral '70s efforts as Silent Running and Phase IV, Boyle's unusual take will be refreshing and even fascinating. The DVD includes commentaries by Boyle and Dr. Brian Cox, who served as the film's science advisor; Boyle also lends his voice to a brace of deleted scenes, including an alternate ending (which doesn't improve on the one used in the film). Thorough production diaries cover every aspect of the film's execution, from casting to special effects design, while a pair of unrelated short films by Chris Shepherd and Dan Arnold seems to be included only as a gesture of Boyle's appreciation for these directors. --Paul Gaita

Do not believe the reviews that are flattering about this movie. As a Science Fiction fan and a movie fan I still cannot give it more than one star. It is poorly conceived, disjointed, boring, and has those kind of camera shots that flash rapidly because they did not have the money to make decent special effects; so instead they use flashing camera gimmickery such that you cannot even tell what is going on. The writing is worse than the cinematography...all in all it does not get much worse than this. I wasted my money on this film...I hope you will not do the same.

First of all, this is a wonderful, excellent film. "A journey that leads to the sun".

The sun-god connection, established very early in the human history, serves as a fresh reminder here that our star is our only source of life, our god, and that god is losing his power (in the film). Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland revive the ancient myths of Icarus daring to reach the sun and of Prometheus giving the power of fire back to mankind, myths so old and deep in our memory that we don't find them amusing, rather comfortably familiar. Howbeit this familiarity is shattered here with the horrifying question, whether it's necessary to continue our life.

Indeed, this evokes our fear of the last death where our daily life deaths are only steps towards - or a rehearsal of - the final, ultimate death of every atom and every spirit, that awaits the universe in the end. Our petty lives become precious on one hand and at the same time they appear meaningless in the wake of that nothingness. Very much in the spirit of JG Ballard's writing. The gorgeous, enosque music in the film brings us to the brink of that eternal question.

Inner emotions and the ever-humming sound of the spaceship devices abet a tense relationship between the crewmembers. This quiescent claustrophobia reminds me of Tarkovsky's Solaris & Peterson's Das Boot.

The acting and settings are superb, but that's expected from a Danny Boyle film. The director is openly excited about his first sci-fi movie and explains (in the extras) tricks of the genre he had to implement and to follow.

I cannot stop being amazed at Danny Boyle's collaboration with Alex Garland: three fantastic movies over seven years. Yes, they all depict more or less the same scenario: a small community dealing with extraordinary, exciting circumstances but don't check for Stephen King here.

I highly recommend this movie to everyone.

I rented this film on a lark. I had never heard of it, but I liked the cast and the storyline as presented on the DVD box. I didn't expect such a rousing and thoughtfully good time!

This film about our star dying out and needing to be re-ignited, is both energetic and thoughtful in its approach. The special effects are excellent, but never overwhelming (a good thing today). The actors are all quite believable in their roles and their reactions to unfolding events are realistic. In addition, the science sounds plausible. It isn't silly mumbo-jumbo, geek-to-the-extreme, typical sci-fi bantering.

This film is most definitely worth your renting of it, but I ran out and purchased it after viewing it. You may end up doing the same.

The sun is dying. Earth is in the middle of permanent winter. A gigantic ship called Icharis has been lost. Icharis contained a small crew and enough fissile material to re-ignite the sun. Now what? Icharis 2 is on its way! SUNSHINE is a tense, slowly-building tale of hope, desperation, insanity, and ultimate sacrifice. Would you give your life in order to save the world? This question is asked throughout the movie, as each member of the I2 crew faces extinction. If you enjoy sci-fi that stimulates the old cranial area, then SUNSHINE should be a treat. Yes, there are huge thrills and unexpected chills, but the story is quite well thought out, and adds depth to the visual extravaganza. Highly recommended...

I am not a big fan of science fiction films but this underrated little known film is easily one of the best sc-fi films of the new milenium.