Apollo 18 Productions, Bekmambetov Projects Ltd. (BPL)
Technically there is no cast because it would be awkward if the names of the “actors” were different than the names of the “characters” since this is actual NASA/DOD footage. But the actors are: Warren Christie, Lloyd Owen, Ryan Robbins
First there is a web site, as in “wikileaks” only it’s called . Like Wikileaks, the footage has been sitting there squashed by the Department of Defense since the 1970’s. It was leaked to the site, and posted on-line, only now the site has been censored by the government. But this film is made from the “found” footage.
After Apollo 17, the last mission to the moon, Apollo 18, 19, and 20 were scheduled. But they were scrubbed due to “budget considerations”. But 3 astronauts were actually sent to the moon in Apollo 18 on a top secret mission to deliver equipment for the Department of Defense. No one, not even their families knew where they were going. This is their story, and what they found there wasn’t an accident, and it was the reason for the mission was the last time anyone has gone to the moon.
OK, scary movies based on found footage and leaked secrets is nothing new. Blair Witch Project of course got away with it, as did the Paranormal Activity films, Cloverfield, The Last Exorcism and District 9. And like the others, this one is a fake, of course, and no one buys it anymore. (I take that back. Some reviewers were dumb enough to buy into it hook, line, and sinker). But it is a particular kind of film, and of that type, this one is pretty decent. The footage looks old and crappy because that was the technology in the early 1970’s. But it isn’t shaky hand held photography that makes you sick, that which ruined Blair Witch and Cloverfield, and District 9 to a great degree as well. It does seem silly to fork over 12 dollars to watch a film in 2011 with 1970’s quality mono audio and video, so that may make this a rental. However, it was extremely creepy, and gives you a strong feeling of “what if it really happened”. I think the suspense is a good a great classic Twilight Zone episode, and though most of the “scares” are really just loud sounds or sudden images with loud sounds that make you startled, not really scared. But the effects are good, and the feeling is right on for the material and you don’t notice the excellent video and sound when it does come on once in a while. The 70’s stuff is mixed in so well that you really feel like you’re watching old video.
All in all, I enjoyed the film. I just sat back and relaxed (when I wasn’t jumping out of my seat) and let the film tell it’s story. If you’re going to get angry because it says it’s real and it’s not, then stay away. You’re probably one of those who would have been in a panic the night Orson Welles “War of the Worlds” was on the radio. 🙂 But if you’re willing to suspend critical thinking and belief for a bit, and just enjoy this fairy tale, it isn’t half bad. I enjoyed it a lot and was glad I went to see it.
EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog
