The Moon

Story: Due to a freak accident, a Korean astronaut finds himself stranded on the lunar surface. Now, it's the responsibility of the former director of KSCA and the NASA team to orchestrate his return to Earth.

Review: 'The Moon' is an awe-inspiring visual masterpiece that is sure to leave you breathless. With its remarkable production values, this film genuinely allows viewers to experience the lunar surface's true appearance. This sci-fi adventure keeps the audience on the edge of their seats from the moment the moon mission commences until the astronaut's safe rescue. The capsule accident, resulting in the tragic loss of two astronauts during the mission, and Hwang Sun-woo’s (the last surviving astronaut of the mission) encounter with a meteor shower will leave you in awe as you witness these spectacles unfold on the screen.

While 'The Moon' offers a breathtaking visual display during its lunar sequences, the overall plot of the film falls short of expectations. Viewers can anticipate precisely what will occur next and the ultimate outcome of the story. When dealing with such a theme, these are inherent challenges that cannot be easily overcome. However, the exceptional special effects and the entire moon sequence more than compensate for the predictability of the plot.

The film kicks off as South Korea prepares for its second manned mission to the moon, following a disastrous first attempt. While on the moon, a freak accident claims the lives of two of the three astronauts, leaving Hwang Sun-woo (Doh Kyung-soo) in a dire do-or-die situation, struggling to rescue himself and make a safe return to Earth. With no clear plan for Hwang's rescue, the Korean Space Mission turns to the disgraced former director, Kim Jae-guk (Sul Kyung-gu), seeking his assistance in the mission to bring Hwang home safely.

This film undeniably draws inspiration from movies like 'Gravity,' 'Apollo 13,' and 'Interstellar,' but ultimately succeeds in maintaining its own unique flavour. The plot loses some of its impact when it's revealed that the stranded astronaut is the son of Kim Jae-guk's former colleague, who had tragically perished during the initial moon mission. The convenience factor is further stretched when we learn that the director at NASA is Moon Young (Kim Hee-ae), who also happens to be Kim's ex-wife. 'The Moon' falls within the realm of sci-fi disaster films that Hollywood adores, but it distinguishes itself by its tasteful execution. If nothing else, the lunar sequences alone hold the capacity to ensure that your ticket money is well worth the investment.