[Review] Enjoying a Space Journey in Theaters with 'The Moon'... Melodrama Is Regrettable

Movie 'The Moon' Review

The Moon Realized with 28.6 Billion Investment in VFX Technology
Do Kyung-soo's Acting Shines but... Weak Narrative

Still from 'The Moon' [Photo by CJ ENM]

The film 'The Moon' (directed by Kim Yong-hwa) begins as a documentary set in 2029. Through this, the background and circumstances are explained step by step. The manned exploration spacecraft Woori, developed with domestic technology, embarks on a lunar mission. Three crew members are selected as passengers. The media also pays attention. Receiving everyone's high expectations, Woori heads toward the moon.

In the quiet and peaceful space, the three crew members board Woori and head to the moon. Suddenly, a problem occurs on Woori. A solar flare from a sunspot explosion unleashes a solar wind that hits Woori, and two crew members who were repairing it lose their lives. Only Hwang Sun-woo (played by Do Kyung-soo), a former UDT member, survives and becomes isolated alone in the vast space.

Watching this, the space center recalls the nightmare of Naraeho from five years ago. Everyone anxiously fears the pain of the spacecraft Naraeho, which was destroyed by an aerial explosion at that time, might be repeated. Former center director Kim Jae-guk (played by Sol Kyung-gu), who had been living in the mountains taking responsibility for the accident, is summoned. Everyone puts all their efforts into rescuing Hwang Sun-woo.

Kim Jae-guk asks for help from Yoon Moon-young (played by Kim Hee-ae), the director of NASA's manned lunar orbit spacecraft and his ex-wife. Moon-young shows discomfort at Jae-guk's request for help. Their story is not drawn out for long. For some reason, Moon-young suddenly decides to help Jae-guk and sets out to save crew member Hwang Sun-woo.

'The Moon' stills [Photo by CJ ENM]

The film is the next work by director Kim Yong-hwa, who founded Dexter Studios and is known for the blockbuster 'Along with the Gods' series (2017?2018). His strengths are fully demonstrated in the film. The moon, realized through VFX (visual effects), is excellent. The visuals of space unfold magnificently, which feels even more immersive when viewed in an IMAX theater.

From the moment crew member Hwang Sun-woo sets foot on the lunar surface, the theater transforms into space. The audience watching the film experiences as if they are on the moon together. This is the film's greatest virtue.

In recent years, several films and dramas with moon and space themes have been planned in the industry. There were rumors that huge production costs would be invested. Although these were works handled by famous directors and productions, 'The Moon' is the first to actually be produced. Expectations were therefore high.

'The Moon' meets those expectations technically. The visuals depicting space and the moon are on par with Hollywood films. The scenes where the crew member steps on the moon and drives a lunar rover across the surface are awe-inspiring. Although 28.6 billion KRW was poured in, compared to Hollywood productions with budgets exceeding 100 billion KRW, this is an astonishing achievement. It truly reflects technology that Hollywood would beckon.

While it shows an advancement in domestic film technology, the story regresses. Although set in the near future of 2029, the scenes of struggling to rescue a crew member in space are a premise borrowed from Hollywood films 20 years ago. This outdated setup is expressed with Korean sentimentality, flowing into melodrama.

The narrative is weak. Even within the first 10 minutes, settings that might feel melodramatic appear, which is likely to divide opinions. Regarding this, director Kim Yong-hwa explained it as "a story about forgiveness and people."

Still from 'The Moon' [Photo by CJ ENM]

The overall tone of the characters is set like a heroic tale. Their speech is solemn, and their gestures are precise. Grand music plays as people rush toward goodwill, and the space center staff move while shouting "Position" and "Yes."

Han Byul, an intern in the observatory team played by Hong Seung-hee, is portrayed weakly. Han Byul remains a character whose reason for appearing is unconvincing. Unlike the solemn space center staff, she drifts alone. Do Kyung-soo fulfills his role. It must have been a challenging performance, smoothly connecting the emotional line from start to finish. Running time is 129 minutes. Rated 12 and over. Released on August 2.