“Sunlight” and “Event Horizon” bring the madness of deep space to terrible heights

The spacecraft, millions of miles from Earth, received a call in distress, so its crew changed the investigation course. Disaster follows. That’s a famous setting alienbut it is often used in science fiction stories, including in 1997 Event vision and 2007 Sunlight.

SunlightHe has been in the news since director Danny Boyle revealed that he initially hoped this would kick off the trilogy. Never happened because like Event visionit failed at the box office. But both Sunlight and Event vision They have gained new appreciation since then, and they have enough similarity to provide a great dual feature for the sci-fi horror dual feature.

Impromptu in these two movies alien “Mysterious Communication” is the plot turning point; both films happen in the near future (Event vision Set as 2047; Sunlight in 2057). Both films are in the uncomfortable realm of our solar system, Event vision On the orbit of Neptune Sunlight Near the surface of the sun. Both films find that the distress call comes from a ship that everyone returns to Earth. exist Event visionthis is the nominal ship, and Sunlight‘ Icarus II Discover his ex, Icarus.

Additionally, both films have characters that transform from ordinary (if quirky) men to outrageously evil, scenic-stunning villains. Both movies have ridiculously good casts, including those far-off space nuts: Event visionSam Neill, SunlightMark Strong.

But there are some key differences. Tired crew members on search and rescue ship Lewis and Clark exist Event vision Championship of a Champion Ship on Secret Mission Icarus Crew members Sunlight It is the most eye-catching mission ever: launching a huge payload to the dying sun, hoping to reignite it and save everyone from frozen death.

Scientists and astronauts trying to save the planet from some revelation were a fashionable theme 20 to 25 years ago. core It was released in 2003 and involved a crazy pursuit of drilling into the center of the floating earth and restoring the core rotation. A few years ago, we participated in the battle of the asteroid movie Deep impact and The end of the world. but Sunlightthe conflict in the center evokes the elements of 1961 Twilight Zone The plot “Midnight Sun” places more emphasis on itself than the average end of the world story.

From the beginning Sunlightwhat we learned – Thanks to Cillian Murphy for his voiceover Icarus II Physicist Capa is a man who deals with people, the bomb that transforms humanity more than Oppenheimer’s bomb, a previous mission that disappeared seven years ago. CAPA and companies have been in transit for more than a year and they are approaching the moment of manufacturing or bankruptcy to prevent all-out efforts.

Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland carefully sow the early stages of the story with horror hints. Named Ship Icarus and Icarus II A little heavy person – flying over the sun and all of this was too close, but the emotions on Capa’s boat were peaceful at first. Of course, the ship’s doctor, Cliff Curtis, is a little obsessed with staring at the sun, and of course, engineer Mace (Chris Evans) is a little irritable. But even if the task goes into a “dead zone”, which cuts off all external communication, things seem to be going well.

Of course, until they pass through mercury and from IcarusOver the years, it still works in some way. Debate on whether any crew members were rescued alive – the reason some crew felt more deeply than others – a misstep was worth it when CAPA decided to detour. Icarus‘Give up the payload. Their mission is to save the planet last chance, so if they can two The ready bomb makes the potential for success more.

However, adjusting its trajectory can cause the disaster’s domino effects Icarus IIquickly destroying the most important space mission ever – that’s before they encounter the human element of surprise, it will further block the doom.

although SunlightThe scientific approach may not be entirely based on facts, Event vision Once things start to go off track, they are completely fantasized. We need the sun to survive, but for many reasons it is also frightening, they are all natural. It’s hot! fiery! It will burn you to a crisp!

Event vision,,,,, On the other hand, imagine a black hole might force a willful ship into hell – then spit it back into our dimension with full perception and long torture anyone who dares to ascend mentally and physically.

It was a firm opera idea, while the production design was spare, imagining a spacecraft that was pulled not only from HR Giger of Human Resources alien There’s the hat tip), and hieronymus bosch and hellraiser. this Icarus Ships are more utilitarian (and AI is Icarus II Sometimes face-to-face with crew members, which is always polite), but they do have a key feature: an observation room that allows crew members to appreciate their destination of radiation with the help of a carefully calibrated safety filter.

There, Strong’s character is crazy, Icarus Captain Pinbacker (John Carpenter) Black Star Hat tip), grab it. Since we didn’t really see him before he became a missionary and Freddy Krueger, the solar mix didn’t really see him before he could, we can’t say whether his mind was in a good place before he entered space. exist Event visionwe get a meaty prophecy because Sam Neill’s character, Dr. Weir, is dealing with PTSD after his suicide and we are completely out of the way.

But the biggest contrast between these self-filled monster men is probably their ultimate intention. Dr. Will’s consciousness is intertwined with the cursed ship he designed, and he is determined to drag it Lewis and Clark The crew is with him hell.

It’s totally weird, but Pinbacker’s twisted motivation is probably worse. He believes that sunshine death is part of God’s plan to end humanity. He also began to believe that God spoke directly to him, and nothing that God began should be challenged or changed.

“He told me to take us all to heaven!” he insisted, explaining why he destroyed it Icarus And why he is determined to Icarus IIMake sure everyone returns to some deaths on Earth. For such a demonic person, heaven is a lot of heavenly conversation, as the flames of the loom on the surface of the sun are getting closer.

In various difficulties, both Event vision and Sunlight Find their way – not a happy ending, but hope. Event vision Say goodbye to Dr. Weir and the haunted ship, but allow several shocked characters to survive. exist Sunlightall space travelers perish, but that means that a successful explosion does activate the sun and will save the earth.

For years, filmmakers and even original director Paul WS Anderson have been talking about more in-depth research Event visionThe world. Fans may never appreciate the lost scenes of the film’s legend, which is said to be too extreme and stripped of, but the prequels, sequels and recent TV series have surfaced as potential projects.

As for SunlightBoyle’s recent trilogy is surprising. Apart from pointing out that screenwriter Alex Garland’s idea is “Star League” and “Extraordinary,” he offers no details, suggesting they go beyond the most obvious add-on: The prequel follows Pinbacker and his crew, or see the sequel to see the Earth bounce back from the sun in winter. (However, we still watch any of them eagerly.)

We may never get more Event vision or Sunlight. But both movies are for extremely entertaining science fiction, and you can rest assured that there will always be new stories about the chaos of Star Travelers taking calls in distress and flying straight to deeper space.

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