The Moon

Hello. I'm a casual enjoyer of Korean Movies since 2015 👋🏻

This month, i got a chance to watch The Moon exclusively on fans screening in Indonesia, August 5th.

For me this movie is beyond my expectation. The cinematography is excellent. The CG of spaceships, moon, and blank space is wayy much better than other Korean Movies that has kind of same genre of natural disasters.

Main Actor, Doh Kyungsoo played his role in a brilliant way. He can switch emotions in such a brief second and whole performance like walking in the moon is soo realistic. I'm quite surprised that he was debuted as an Idol, not an actor in 2012. As far as I know, in Korea there's a stereotype that Idol-Actor will never be as good as debuted actors since the start. However, Doh-nim surely breaks that stereotype and showing his full potential in this movie as an Acting Genius Idol-Actor.

The director, Kim Yong Hwa, is very considerate by showing the backstory of all main characters, makin us relates and understand more. All the drama until the nerve-wracking scene makes enjoy and happy seeing this wonderful movie. However, this movie has some unrealistic realisation of space, but still not making this movie less enjoyable as I keep in mind "this is fictional"

Overall The Moon deserved a bunch of attention. Especially those of you guys who likes the story about space and movie with great amount of tension. I recommend you to watch this with friends or date on 4DX or IMAX for better experience

I found it quite funny how the crowd on the studio holding hands with their partner on the kind like "fast and furious" scene.

High level special effects, cinematography, sound, editing, art design, all wasted on a very cheesy script. Heart breaking, but it's impossible to have a good movie with such a poor script, no matter how good the other elements are. I won't give more details to avoid spoilers. I cannot even talk much about the acting, since the characters are so much stereotyped. It would be unfair to blame the actors, they did what their roles required, which wasn't much.

Having said that, it has some entretainment value, but better seen in a theater because of the visuals.

I am sure Korean cinema could do better on the writing side, having so many good ones in the last years.

Positives:

This movie deserves credit for its technical approach to the space science fiction genre, reminiscent of films like Gravity. It explores the complexities of spacecraft launches and lunar landings, albeit in a simplified and audience-friendly manner. The VFX and CGI are top-notch, successfully creating a visually immersive experience. These high production values ensure the film connects with a broader audience, even those not deeply familiar with space technology.

The imaginative depiction of futuristic space advancements-such as drones, live video broadcasts, and lunar gateways-is both fascinating and ambitious. While the technology showcased is far from reality, the speculative vision is commendable and could inspire upcoming innovations in space exploration.

Negatives:

However, the movie stumbles due to its overly dramatic screenplay. The plot is predictable, offering hints early on that "everything is going to be fine in the end." This lack of suspense undermines the tension and emotional investment that are critical for a gripping sci-fi narrative.

The film's pacing is another drawback. It moves too quickly, without allowing for "plot breaks" or moments of reflection. The relentless storytelling leaves no room for viewers to immerse themselves in the narrative fully. The background score, while extraterrestrial and sonically pleasing, is overbearing and constant, leaving little breathing space for quieter, introspective scenes.

The emotional elements feel forced and formulaic, as the movie leans heavily on familiar tropes found in other space mission films. This approach detracts from the unique technical aspects and makes the story feel repetitive and uninspired.

Final Verdict:

This film stands out as a good space sci-fi movie from Korean cinema, showcasing impressive visuals and imaginative concepts. However, its predictable narrative, rushed pacing, and overemphasis on drama prevent it from reaching the heights of genre-defining classics.

While it is worth a watch for its technical brilliance and futuristic imagination, there is a longing for a more nuanced and original approach in future entries from this genre.

As an American and a huge fan of Hollywood action films, it would take a lot for me to rate this a ten. Armageddon(1998) and Apollo 13 (1995), this is not. However, the potential is there but doesn't become realized until the 2nd third of the movie. It becomes more intense. You begin to care about the characters. The final 3rd hammers it home and you're not so concerned about its start anymore. The action, the acting, and the suspense are great. You're on the edge of your seat. You cry. You cheer. Once you finish the movie, however, you become upset about the weak use of dynamic Korean actors like Kim Rae-won, Lee Yi-kyung, and Lee Sung-min. Then you wonder why the beginning was just so so. Budget issues? Perhaps. Even though Do Kyungsoo is the star, making others have a stronger presence would not take away from the star. No one took from Bruce Willis' spotlight, but the entire cast of characters in Armageddon shone brightly because it was so well-written. Finally, the music score needed a little work. Ijs.

I want to comment on the character of the main role as an astronaut. I think he is an astronaut who is not very smart and intelligent, and I don't see any professionalism in him in dealing with any incidents that might occur. I saw him as an astronaut who had just been trained yesterday. In my view, an astronaut will be quick to make brilliant decisions when faced with a situation or incident that shows his professionalism, but in this film the astronaut is not alert and actually thinks too late. Yes, even though I know this is a fiction film, not everything that happens in the film should have no logic. Throughout the film, the astronaut is not shown eating or drinking anything while on the moon to maintain his consciousness and health.