The Moon Movie Review: Hard And Fun Rescue Of Korean Astronauts

DO EXO/Doh Kyungsoo (CJ Entertainment/CBI Pictures)

JAKARTA - The Moon is one of the most anticipated film titles. The film, directed by Kim Yong Hwa, is the latest work for the CJ Entertainment production house to compete with the release of another film this summer.

The Moon was first announced in 2020 where at that time the main character, DO EXO or Doh Kyungsoo was serving in the military. In addition, he will compete acting with Sol Kyung Gu who is said to be one of the stars of Chungmuro.

The film The Moon tells the story of South Korean lunar exploration spacecraft, Woori-ho, who started his journey to the Moon. Five years ago, the Narae-ho plane project failed to travel so that Woori-ho became South Korea's hope.

In the middle of the trip, solar flares erupted which caused the solar wind to swallow the spacecraft. Hwang Sun Woo (Doh Kyungsoo) as the only surviving astronaut then stranded alone.

On the other hand, former flight director Kim Jae Gook (Seol Kyung Gu) is now alive on the side of the mountain. He was contacted by the spacecraft to help save Hwang Sun Woo. Kim Jae Gook has been in conflict because he felt responsible for the Narae-ho incident five years ago.

Kim Jae Gook realized his own efforts were not enough. Therefore, he contacted NASA's director of the moon orbit division, Yoon Moon Young (Kim Hee Ae) to help save Hwang Sun Woo. Now Kim Jae Gook and Yoon Moon Young are sacrificing everything to save Sun Woo.

This survival genre film shows the moment of tension from the start of the story. This often used space survival premise still gives rise to surprises, especially when this film puts forward the emotional side of each character.

The premise itself may remind you of Gravity (2013) or The Martian (2015) in a South Korean style.

Hwang Sun Woo, who is described as struggling alone, also has disappointment on his journey, as well as Kim Jae Gook and Yoon Moon Young. As a result, their three interactions fluctuated from emotions to normal.

In addition, the acting of the three is also adequate for this film. Doh Kyungsoo shows various elements of emotion in his loneliness on the plane. Seol Kyung Gu and Kim Hee Ae who supported Kyungsoo also balance the moment of sadness.

Every now and then the audience is also made to laugh with truss and the behavior of Jo Han Chul and Choi Byung Mo in the midst of conflict.

Technically, The Moon also has an extraordinary CGI and arguably this film indicates their CGI quality is equivalent to Hollywood film. There are indeed some scenes that feel the 'CGI' but that doesn't interfere with the whole viewing experience.

The camera taking technique also helps that moment of tension. The audience seemed to be made to be with Hwang Sun Woo by taking it from an unusual perspective.

Unfortunately, among the positive things above, the second half of The Moon felt long-winded so it was boring, not to mention the acting of supporting actors such as American actors who felt bland.

The Moon film presents a pleasant tension through the extraordinary stories and acting of the main characters. This experience may be even more felt if The Moon is watched in 4DX format.

The film The Moon can be seen in all Indonesian cinema networks starting today, Wednesday, August 9, 2023.