Apollo 18 Review

                                                             2 Nuts

                                                           

Director: Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego

Apollo 18 is not a documentary and it is not a true story.  It is a work of fiction that was created primarily for the purpose of entertaining the viewer.  That being said, the director and writer went to great lengths to make sure this picture projected an aura of irrefutable authenticity.  There are no opening credits to this film.  Instead it begins by informing the audience that what they are about to see is recently found footage from an ‘Apollo 18’ space mission.  Embedded in this story is a supposed explanation of why the U.S has never gone back to the moon.  The film starts out rather slow, briefly introducing our 3 main characters who will be sent up to the moon.  Sometimes a slow start is ok but for a film that is a few minutes shy of an hour and a half the first 30 minutes needs to have more going on.  Having said that, what follows, turns out to be at times a frightening ride in space. 

In terms of plot this isn’t something strikingly different from what audiences have seen before.  Astronauts land on the moon to find out that they are not alone.  Staying alive and getting off the moon becomes priority number one.  Unfortunately, the Department of Defense has other plans. 

The entirety of the film appears to have been shot using a handheld camera creating the impression of authentic footage.   The audience will only get to see what the camera’s set up on the space ship or the astronauts’ handheld camera allows.  At times these handheld cameras can be rather vexing to the viewer.  It has a similar feel to “The Blair Witch Project” and “Paranormal Activity.”  The camera shakes, it goes out of focus, and even shuts off multiple times.  The use of this technique does work however in helping create a creepy atmosphere for the film.  

Despite a slow start, there are many moments throughout this film that will make the audience jump. So come into the theater expecting to be repeatedly startled.   Suspense is created effectively by the camerawork.  There is always something popping out at the audience accompanied by a loud screech. But ultimately the payoff is cheap and unimaginative.  Despite all this the movie does create an eerie feel of impending doom.

The dialogue between the two astronauts has no real substance.  It is both sparce and insipid.  The main character is difficult to root for simply because he is given no opportunity to develop or change.  He is just an astronaut in space who wants to get back to his family.  Not enough depth goes into this character for the audience to really care if he lives or dies. 

Is this movie just about another United States government conspiracy?  Are the Aliens trying to prevent the astronauts from leaving the lunar surface?  Are all rocks really aliens? These and many more questions will be posed as the film progresses but none will be answered. 

In a peaNut Shell: Apollo 18 is an interesting idea and works to some extent.  It is very slow early on and the payoff is not all that spectacular.  At times it can be scary thanks to the use of clever camera work and a good set of speakers.  At other times this movie can feel vapid and boring. The good parts in the film slightly out way the negatives.  In short, if nothing worthwhile is on TV, go see it.

First Published in The Daily Targum