Review: The Moon

If the actual Moon would accept reviews, I would imagine it would be something along the lines of:

“Barren but beautiful”

“Used all of my savings to get here and almost died.”

“Experience ruined by meteror showers”

This review is not on the Moon itself but on the speculation of what traveling to the Moon would be like from the mind of a Director that has already taken us to be judged in Hell.

Known for directing the international successful movies Along With the Gods and Along With the Gods 2, KIM Yong Hwa brings the flair for dramatic fun with a trip to the moon in…THE MOON.

Seven years after Korea's first fully manned mission to the moon ends in disaster, a second human spaceflight is launched successfully—until a strong solar wind causes the spacecraft to malfunction. With an astronaut left stranded in space and quickly running out of oxygen, the Naro Space Center turns to its former managing director to avert yet another fatal catastrophe. - Official Wells Go Synopsis

For any movie of a moon expedition, the astronaut is the star. For this Korean sci-fi thriller space movie, the astronaut of focus is EXO’s DOH Kyung Soo. DOH Kyung Soo has a robust acting history with the heartbreaking performance in Swingkids, comedic performance in My Annoying Brother, and various kdramas such as 100 Days My Prince.

DOH Kyung Soo has to bring his flair for acting in tense situations as the story fueling THE MOON is absolute fantastical science-fiction. Korea does not currently have a space agency for space expeditions, YET. Interagency Operations Advisory Group reported that there are plans to so according to a speech made by President Yoon Suk-Yeol of South Korea. Maybe the movie will encourage and inspire Korean audiences to support the future space agency by addressing mechanical and political powers now.

THE MOON is a typical disaster movie in space from the perspective of another space agency other than NASA. The movie already begins on a downer note as the first attempt to space ended in an explosion. So KASA (the fiction-for-now Korean space agency) is already trying to rise from their failure. Their attempt was a such a spectacular failure that KASA was the shunned underdog from the other established space agencies including NASA. To get any support or help would already be scaling a political mountain.

All kinds of pressure are weighing upon the shoulders of the three astronauts of the second expedition. The second expedition is crewed by a senior Astronaut with a child awaiting to be named, a younger scientist with a son who gave a stuffed animal as a good luck charm, and the youngest Astronaut who is the most inexperienced. Guess which Astronaut survives the first tragedy in space and carries the rest of the movie?

Solar flares and meteor showers pummels Hwang Seon-woo (played by DOH Kyung Soo) as KASA fights an exhausting battle on Earth with politics as try to secure help from NASA to save Hwang Seon-woo. Early in the film, Hwang Seon-woo is already a sitting duck as parts of the ship have malfunctioned, no guidance from experienced crew members, and panic from all around. It’s a constant tug of war of suspense and despair as everything just seems to get worse and worse. For every moment of hope, something bad is definitely about to happen. The “what-if-this-goes-wrong” scenario will hopefully prevent these from happening in the future if KASA was able to become established.

The hidden gem of the movie comes not from Hwang Seon-woo but the little drone that could. If it wasn’t for the strength and steadfast duty of the drone named MARU, then there would have been no good outcome for this expedition. If any aspect of the movie should be invested, it would be the drone business. Most of the tears and cheers for this movie was for MARU!

Overall, the survival of Hwang Seon-woo is thanks to major collaborative efforts of the supporters on Earth. Without the engineering talents and problem solvers planet side, he would be left to grapple in space on his own. The surprise help comes in the end is a heartwarming encouragement that no matter who you are leaving Earth, everyone is still just a human in space. These sweet messages among all the crazy is what is to be expected now from the movies direct by KIM Yong Hwa

Even though the movie is a serious drama, it would be a challenge for EXO fans to not amusedly connect the movie to their “Power” music video when the members had a space battle with superpowers:

THE MOON may be a fictional movie of space adventure, but there were still some elements of truth. Space flares did make the news a few years ago as it did disrupt communications on Earth. Space is truly fascinating and carries its own special thrills. Space agencies like NASA and hopefully soon to be KASA should be encouraged to continue expeditions as we learn so much more that surrounds our planet.

Interesting articles:

Strong Solar Flare Erupts from Sun – Solar Cycle 25 (nasa.gov)

Overview | Meteors & Meteorites – NASA Solar System Exploration

The drama and action moments of the movie earns the popcorn moments as it is just a visually engrossing cinematic experience. If disasters in space is your entertainment of choice, then this movie would be a relaxing and fun watch.

THE MOON is currently screening at select North American theaters now. For more information and screening, go to the official website The Moon | Official Movie Site | In Theaters August 18 (wellgousa.com)