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Apollo 18 (2011)
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Officially, Apollo 17 was the last manned mission to the moon. But a year later in 1973, three American astronauts were sent on a secret mission to the moon funded by the US Department of Defense. What you are about to see is the actual footage which the astronauts captured on that mission. While NASA denies its authenticity, others say it's the real reason we've never gone back to the moon.
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Pretty Good
Just what I expected
Good concept, poorly executed.
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
This review contains the spoiler of telling you why they went to the moon, but not the ending.The reason why no one knew about this mission was because it was top secret. 2 astronauts land on the moon near its south pole. The movie cleverly combines actual film footage of NASA with their own track over and their own film. They were careful enough to use side lighting to create the long shadows seen in the NASA films. I appreciate it when they do their homework. The cameras have been put in place. This avoids much of that sea sick motion you get from the other reality (translate:cheap) type movies.Now the reason why they really went there was to check on the Russians who have landed a LEM (looks like a diving bell) on the moon. The crew was not informed about this so they really panicked when they found another set of footprints. What we know:1)The Russian is dead, apparently killed. 2) There is a strange rock that seems to move on its own, but we don't see it move. 3) There is a strange crater/shaft made from different rock which is at the heart of the problem. 4) There are communication issues and there appears to be strange going-ons outside the LEM that suggests visitors.Now I hate hand held reality movies. My finger is on the fast forward button more than a lab rat pressing for cheese. But this one held my interest. I wanted to see what was causing all the grief, even if it was just for a fleeting moment and later they did resort to the herky-jerky camera. I was too far along at the time. I wonder how this lines up with "The Dark Side of the Moon?"
Apollo 18 is kind of awful. Found footage films are always kind of tricky because you want a compelling story, but you also need to make it seem realistic. This movie sides more on boring realism than compelling horror story - and it's not even that realistic. The plot holes and goofs are as abundant as the craters on the moon. However, this movie did make me think about and appreciate our actual space program.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, despite the negative reviews from many people. The new cinematic style of found footage film is one of -those- kinds of film that either you absolutely love it, and spend eons looking for more films in that style; or you loathe it and all films like it. The depth of the characters, whereas the build up previous to become attached to the characters doesn't show too much--it simply throws you into the action after a brief interlude. I admired the acting and footage style. The mounting of the desperation of Ben Anderson, as the terror of the unknown builds in slow simmer to an explosive finish, it really drew me in. If you find yourself looking for a good, short horror flick (especially if you love quality found footage flicks as I do), I definitely suggest that you invest the hour and fifteen minutes.
This movie began with a good concept/story, it's just the reason why they never went back that ruined it!!!! I mean really?! It was just stupid!!!! I was hoping it would've been something more scary or interesting! Huge opportunity missed to make this movie a massive hit! Don't get me wrong, this movie was kinda good, it's just that type of movie you'd only watch once, and never again. All I'm saying is that the cause of everything messing up wasn't really interesting or scary enough, when I saw that Russian spacecraft I was expecting something which involved other humans messing things up or at least scarier aliens!!