Duncan Jones’ debut indie feature Moon is being hailed by critics as a modern tribute to great sci-fi films of the past, but I couldn’t help but think about the future — namely, what’s become of the U.S. space program? 40 years ago, America launched the Apollo 11 mission that triumphantly landed men on the moon; yet, where have we gone since?
Moon rocks the imagination as it presents a totally plausible, realistic way of utilizing space for practical purposes — in this case, mining for eco-desirable Helium 3 energy from the lunar surface. Jones strove for science-fact over fiction in researching many minute details of the script. He even screened the film before a panel of NASA scientists — many of whom are working on making fantasy into fact.
Before reading any further — be advised: don’t see Moon to learn about science, but DO see it! It’s a fascinating film featuring an Academy Award-worthy performance by Sam Rockwell.
Now, back to reality… In 2004, President George W. Bush called for a return to the Moon to build a base — it would be a prelude to something even greater: a mission to Mars. He noted words from astronaut Eugene Cernan, who traveled with the last Apollo mission: “We leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind.” With that, scores of engineers, scientists and experts made headway designing, building and planning America’s next endeavour to explore space, they were ready to accomplish the mission.
Should President Obama decide to continue with the 2004 Bush plan, enterprising Americans would need to invent many of the things featured in Jones’ film. And for Obama, who is presiding over one of the worst economic crisis in history, an invigorating Kennedy-esque call to space would present a granddaddy of a stimulus package — jobs created, factories built, innovation; to say nothing of stimulating the truly priceless things like learning, inspiring a generation and advancing the species.
But don’t pack your moon boots quite yet — Obama has organized a committee to review the entire space program and make recommendations sometime in August. He has left many to guess his agenda for America’s space program. What would have happened if Columbus or Magellan stood around waiting for a group of consultants to return findings? Thank goodness President Kennedy didn’t wait to hear committee recommendations of his idea — we would have never made it to the Moon. So, we’re left to wait — along with the rest of NASA — while this committee discusses, studies and contemplates. Call it the community organizer’s guide to the galaxy … it just might get us going nowhere fast.
Moon writer-director Jones is a self-described sci-fi nut having been inspired as a child by great films such as Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 and Ridley Scott’s Alien. Those films, like many other 60’s, 70’s and 80’s sci-fi fare, helped feed the world’s growing appetite for all things space — I know, because my younger brother and I grew up in the Lucas/Spielberg-golden age of sci-fi. With the 1969 Moon landing, and the Apollo missions thereafter, a huge milestone was met, and imaginations exploded — people wanted to learn what else could be ‘out there?’ How could we travel into space in the future? What would life in space be like?
Moon portrays the same questions NASA faces building a moon base, or traveling to Mars — loneliness, mental stamina, human endurance. To say nothing of imagining real-life possibilities such as fusion power, mining for clean energy and living in artificial environments (as well as some truly mind-blowing plot twists).
It should come as little surprise that Jones thought up this film. After all, he is the son of David Bowie — the man who gave us “Space Oddity” and Ziggy Stardust. Bowie was fascinated by humans landing on the Moon and translated that into brilliant art and music. Come to think of it, without the Moonshot, we never would have Elton John’s “Rocket Man,” cell phones, microwave ovens — or juice bags for the kids! The demonstration of American grit and ingenuity instilled the nation with pride, confidence and solidified American technology and willpower as the envy of the world. We could use a little bit of all that right about now…
So, what will it be President Obama: One giant leap… forward or backward?
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.