Magellan

I write very few reviews for IMDb but this film deserves a positive one. Firstly it was broadcast on SciFi channel so was expecting the usual "Space Lobster v Mega Puffin" script, direction and acting. How wrong I was.

This is a proper SciFi film with an intriguing plot, great script, excellent acting, great direction, above average (for the low budget) and intelligently realised special effects and a proper well written score. I would love to have seen what the director would have done with an additional $250,000 costume and set building budget.

As one reviewer has already stated, let's hope there is a sequel but this time with a bigger budget so that the director Rob York has less to hold him back.

If you liked Interstellar, you'll like this movie. It's a B grade film but the budget is well spent on the right things. The acting isn't half bad as some reviewers have claimed. It's an above average B-Movie, a whole lot better than 90% B movies out there.

If you're looking for some big story with intricate characters and whatnot, you won't see it here, but it's something to kill a bored night with.

Not all science fiction movies are able to include massive sets, unlimited special effect budgets, and high paid actors.

I had the feeling that this movie was somebody's passion project. It is a compelling story that someone wanted to make into a great movie. I commend the idea and the effort. Having said that, sure, most of the sets just scream low budget and the acting is hit and miss. Still, I thought it was a very good movie that kept me interested throughout.

I recommend this movie if you are into real science fiction - the writers/director were obviously fans of Arthur Clarke and Carl Sagan. If you are more interested in bright flashy scenes with massive sets and space battles with exotic aliens that rely on blaring soundtracks rather than intelligent dialogue, check out Disney's recently acquired space drama instead.

MAGELLAN tells the story of an astronaut sent into deep space to try and find three sources of signals being sent to to Earth. Most of it focuses on the experiences of the lone astronaut, which suggests a loose comparison to 2009's MOON, which was a much better movie.

The cinematography here is good, and the movie reels in the audience as the astronaut finds each of the sources of the signals. However without spoiling the ending, it leaves the audience with no answers, only more questions, and an unsatisfactory feeling of being invested in the story.

Don't be dissuaded by some of the deeply negative reviews. It seems many either lack attention span or weren't focused as the narrative is absolutely logically consistent. As an example, one reviewer complained about the bit where it has been indicated the wife was distressed being a plot hole, but this was absolutely explained in the movie. Everything laid out was realistic, including the behavior by China (which, frankly, is a direct match for *how China behaves today*), the astronaut himself, and by the bureaucrats at the DoD.

It's a small story with a small cast but a large concept. A hand picked senior astronaut accepts the most important mission in human history, one that necessitates leaving a chunk of his old life behind even assuming he survives, in exchange for the opportunity to make the greatest discovery imaginable.

What he finds is far more Contact, than 2001 (don't be fooled by those lazy comparisons that are based purely on the superficial look and the "AI buddy" with no other similarities to be found), and we are left with a cliff hanger.

I'm hoping they make enough to give us a sequel!