Forgot quite how much I liked it the first time. Seeing it again makes me love it. I don't understand why (spoilers) people have such a problem with then end. Personally I love how the pragmatic realism of the first two thirds is then transformed in operatic, metaphysical madness. Why are we prepared to believe the quieter fantastical elements of the of the beginning (it is after all Sci-"fi"), yet not the the latter half? Beautiful, knuckle bitingly tense and profoundly moving. Bravo Boyle
Strangely enough, the movie reminded me of ancient religious rituals of human sacrifice to a god. It is interesting to see how the outcome of a story involving a group of scientists who base their decisions on logical reasoning becomes closely analogous to that of a society that pledges its members to the sun god for its revival. In this sense this movie is very intriguing because this aspect of religions has rarely been covered by films, if such analogy was ever intended by the filmmakers.
This was the first 15 rated film I saw in the cinema after I turned 15 - me and two friends were the only people in the cinema. And I loved it so much that I saw it again two weeks later with my parents. Brilliant.
Does anyone else agree that 'it's daylight saving time' as a one liner or tag line on the poster could have potentially doubled, perhaps even tripled this movie's audience?
I wholeheartedly second everything you've said, Doc. For me it's the high watermark of a hitherto glittering career! What a film! He's channelling B-movie giganticism when we see the awesome magnitiude of our star seared onto 16mm. Shine on you crazy Boyle!
"most unloved, most underrated and most misunderstood movie." Oh yes, that's exactly what it is, and that makes me sad. I always see most of Danny Boyle's movies as being a game of two halves where people are placed into certain scenarios and watching them psychologically breakdown. The last part of Sunshine you can either take literally or as a surreal/symbolic representation of their downward spiral. He uses kinf of those elements in many moments of his films. I could go on his films for ages.
This is the film that really opened my eyes to Danny Boyle as a director. I'd seen and enjoyed films of his in the past, of course, but the thought of him make a sci-fi movie intrigued me. To be honest, I thought it was going to be a disaster, but after seeing it I really believe he could tackle any genre and make a fascinating film within it. I'd love to see him make a superhero film!
I'm in agreement with most of the posters here, and I'll add that there were moments in "Sunshine" (like the EVA to repair the solar shield) that were truly terrifying. Brilliant and unsettling...
While I have not yet seen a single Danny Boyle film which I dislike, Sunshine still remains my personal favourite, and Mark pretty much summed up why. It's a powerful, thought-provoking and beautiful film and it still give me goosebumps to this day. As for the ending, Mark Strong does very well with a performance which, arguably, had no right to be in the film, and subsequently compensates for the not entirely hateful but certainly unnecessary slasher detour. Thanks for posting this Mark.
I saw this in cinema and its amazing....the soundtrack alone is breathtakingly good. So good infact i stayed in theatre until the very last credit just to hear it :D
Me too! I already knew, 'Underworld' had their 'sound' electronic hands part on it, when I saw it at the flicks. Nearly, if not empty cinema. What a trip! I will never forget it!
I enjoyed Sunshine the first time I saw it, and suddenly felt a craving to watch it again a few months ago. And I still enjoyed it then too. I wouldn't say it's Danny Boyle's best work or anything, but it's definitely not a bad movie. Underrated, sure.
Just yesterday I was watching 127 hours and up until now I did not know that Sunshine was a Danny Boyle film . I guess it's another gem in a brilliant director's career .
I was blown away when I saw Sunshine. I was surprised it didn't do better and I'm also surprised that I haven't watched it since the first time I saw it in the cinema.
Sunshine is a truly fantastic movie and l love watching it. It also fills me with sadness whenever I watch it as it always reminds me of the fact that Danny Boyle has said he would never do a Sci-Fi (space) type of movie again, Which really is a huge loss to the Sci-Fi genre (space).
same here man. i stumbled upon that movie by accident few years back and never even heard of it....i watched it and was wondering how did i know knew about it :D good sci fi
So many superb sci-fi classics mentioned in this video. I own every one of them on Blu-ray or DVD... apart from Sunshine!! It's been years since I saw Sunshine and my overriding (in fact, my only) memory of it is of feeling deeply unsatisfied and frustrated when it finished. The vivid memory of that feeling is enough to put me off giving it a 2nd chance. But everyone should give Zardoz a chance. It's imaginative, crazy, unconventional 70's sci-fi fun. A fave of mine, & definitely never "boring".
I remember watching Sunshine when i came out on DVD, can't remember much that was mazing about it but maybe a second watch now i'm a bit older might be open it up.
I will always have mass respect for you since I managed to get a bootleg VHS copy of your BLADERUNNNER documentary here in the U.S. - before RUclips, it was passed around and is still the most bitchin' documentary about BR
I saw Sunshine on it's opening weekend in a big theater on the main screen and there were about 15 people there... but I love this movie (to be honest I started loving it after the 2nd viewing)
It was coined by a scientist in the 1950's but he never intended for it to be misconstrued or imbued with any religious/spiritual meaning, it was only meant as a descriptor of its importance to the scientific world. I'm sure if he knew how people were interpreting his little metaphor sixty years later, he would never have said it
Pretty much my feelings exactly. It went from easily being one of the best sci fi movies to something I'd have a hard time recommending to anyone else. It's a shame, I've never seen a movie take such a hard swing in it's final 20 minutes.
Sunshine, Event Horizon and Moon are modern British sci-fi classics. They are have their flaws but brilliantly directed, fantastic special effects/models and great soundtracks.
Watched it 1st time yesterday. Danny gets the absolute max out of what is an intelligent but ultimately average script that chooses excitement over thoughtfulness. As a film fan I think its probably the right choice as its a perfectly paced. The philosopher in me may have wanted a prolonged meditation on isolation, self sacrifice and the burdens of responsibility but I'm glad it didn't go that way as it would have been boring. Despite the religious undertones this a fun rather than deep film.
28 Days Latter is still my favorite Boyle picture but Sunshine is pretty miraculous. Some of the best visuals I've ever seen in a movie and that score by John Murphy was awesome. Never really understood the negative reaction to the third act, though. I saw it as something that added to the story than detract from it, kind of like a "How can this get any worse" and then Mark Strong appears to ruin everybody's day. Still, a lovely film. And good to see love for Event Horizon.
Sunshine is the only Danny Boyle film I really like. Don't get me wrong; I see that he's a great film-maker, it's just that most of his films deal with subjects that don't particularly interest me. I, like many other people, would complain about the slasher element (it's a bit TOO Event Horizon), but it didn't bother me THAT much. I love the fact that Cillian Murphy is clearly channelling Brian Cox And it does have a great ending.
Sunshine is a great film, love the direction, artistry, acting, story, everything. I think it's too intelligent for a general audience :o) Yes, this film should have had an autumn release.
Sunshine is has glorious as the Sun that drives the movie. In a vast body of great work it is Danny Boyles' best films, a perfect integration of character, story, sound and visuals. Yes the hot Summer sadly killed its Box Office, but like it was for me, what better than to cool off in an air-conditioned room and watch one of the finest Science Fictions of All-Time. It's so gorgeous a) You're amazed that Roger Deakins didn't do the Cinematography, and b) it's a Blu-Ray must buy.
I agree with Mark Completely here Sunshine for me is Danny Boyles best work, its as underrated as MOON which is also one of the best Sci-Fi films in our generation.
I find myself thinking of Prometheus. Both have religious themes, both are visually brilliant, both not sure if they should be 2001 or Terminator, both have fascinating ideas behind them, both have flawed scripts.
I’ve spoken to a few people about Sunshine - they enjoyed it up until the introduction of Pinbacker, they lost interest when it turned into a slasher film
i think of this film as a fable and at its core i agree it was observing 'inner space' rather than trying to be scientifically valid - i think thats what the audience didnt like. the ending where capa reaches for the sun is an incredible scene though, wish more people tapped in to the beautiful symbolism of at least that scene
Pleased everyone liked it so much. I didn't. I'd trade it for Zardoz any day, a film which is neither "terrible" nor "boring." It is IMO a genuinely underrated and poorly appreciated masterpiece.
SUNSHINE was out at the same time as TRANSFORMERS i remember - Man, compare Bay to Boyle! - Boyle can make bricks out of straw. :) SUNSHINE is a true classic and literally had me on the edge of my cinema seat.
The term "known as" specifically means what the greater public know something as. The Higgs Boson IS known as the God Particle, it's scientific name is the Higgs Boson. Wether or not "the God Particle" was coined by the media is irelevant. I've heard people use both terms. And to be fair - a Kermode Uncut Film Club video...and THATS what you decide to comment? His use of the phrase "known as"?
I think they would be trying to save the Solar System. Not quite sure I remember them saying they were saving the Milkyway Galaxy in the film...where did you hear that?
Wrong; Danny Boyle's most overlooked and unloved effort (and rightly so imo) is The Beach. On another note, Sunshine is indeed a very interesting film, conjuring astonishing visuals in order to better understand, or rather explore, our innate fascination with the Sun and its infinite power. Too bad it goes off the rail in its last 3rd.
Brilliant film, horrendous final act. Almost felt like some executive demanded some kind of evil super villain boogieman just so there was a point to the movie for the foolish, contemporary public. The sun itself is the great villain, utterly terrifying, untouchable and forever in sight. I thought it a great shame when I finished the movie and have been unable to return since.
I think the most disappointing thing as opposed to Event Horizon is that at least with Event Horizon you knew what you signed up for at the start. Sunshine meanders off for the final 3rd though I do like the final culmination.
Danny Boyle's best methinks. I do agree it's got some serious problems in the third act, but I did get a better opinion of it after a second viewing. The idea of religion nearly leading to the downfall of man (one single religious lunatic, even) was an intriguing idea, even though the execution seemed far-fetched.
I totally agree with you... a friend dubbed him the "zombie priest" and it's about right. A curve ball that just totally ruins a film that had a lot of good potential, otherwise.
Every time I read something about Sunshine, I can't help but feel people completely misinterpret or just don't understand Boyle's masterpiece, and yes, it's better than Slumdog and Trainspotting. The one thing I would disagree with Mark Kermode on is that it isn't a true sci-fi movie in the same vein as 2001, Alien, Blade Runner etc. If you can park the sci-fi and extrapolate the human psychology of what unfolds in the third act, it is imperative to the story, and post 9/11 VERY relevant.
"The question of why Sunshine never found the audience and the appreciation it deserved remains unanswered" Let me help you out, Mark: People are idiots.
Why? Because at that time people weren't as jaded. Also it played it perfectly, the alien is a monster and killing the crew comes natural. In sunshine, slasher films has ran its course and people want something intelligent. I can't accept a human being that is radiated and is fueled by rage to kill an entire crew. Not only that their deaths happened because they were being stupid.
The final third would have worked much better if Mark Strong's character had been just a bit less "superhuman". For me it broke the realism - no, really - the rest of the movie is one of the greatest portrayals of the atheist, scientific mind's wonder at the enormous power and beauty of our existence represented by its engine, the sun. Yes, the final scenes tend towards religion but even atheists have religious experiences.
![Quentin Tarantino on Sunshine [2009]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/mJiCIX7ZmkE/mqdefault.jpg)
Yip, has to be my fav Danny Boyle film, great review.
Forgot quite how much I liked it the first time. Seeing it again makes me love it. I don't understand why (spoilers) people have such a problem with then end. Personally I love how the pragmatic realism of the first two thirds is then transformed in operatic, metaphysical madness. Why are we prepared to believe the quieter fantastical elements of the of the beginning (it is after all Sci-"fi"), yet not the the latter half? Beautiful, knuckle bitingly tense and profoundly moving. Bravo Boyle
I love that you chose Sunshine. It's one of those rare movies I really love but I can almost talk to nobody about it.
Strangely enough, the movie reminded me of ancient religious rituals of human sacrifice to a god. It is interesting to see how the outcome of a story involving a group of scientists who base their decisions on logical reasoning becomes closely analogous to that of a society that pledges its members to the sun god for its revival. In this sense this movie is very intriguing because this aspect of religions has rarely been covered by films, if such analogy was ever intended by the filmmakers.
Totally agree more. The visual, performances, and in particular the soundtrack are just stunning.
03:36 This is the most charitable description of Paul WS Anderson's career I've ever heard.
This was the first 15 rated film I saw in the cinema after I turned 15 - me and two friends were the only people in the cinema. And I loved it so much that I saw it again two weeks later with my parents. Brilliant.
Does anyone else agree that 'it's daylight saving time' as a one liner or tag line on the poster could have potentially doubled, perhaps even tripled this movie's audience?
Really liked Sunshine.
Amazing sci-fi. Great cast, visual effects, direction and score.
Sunshine features the most gripping scene of a man falling over and having trouble getting up I've ever seen. Seriously.
brilliant movie with brilliant soundtrack - underrated
I wholeheartedly second everything you've said, Doc. For me it's the high watermark of a hitherto glittering career! What a film! He's channelling B-movie giganticism when we see the awesome magnitiude of our star seared onto 16mm. Shine on you crazy Boyle!
"most unloved, most underrated and most misunderstood movie." Oh yes, that's exactly what it is, and that makes me sad. I always see most of Danny Boyle's movies as being a game of two halves where people are placed into certain scenarios and watching them psychologically breakdown. The last part of Sunshine you can either take literally or as a surreal/symbolic representation of their downward spiral. He uses kinf of those elements in many moments of his films. I could go on his films for ages.
This is the film that really opened my eyes to Danny Boyle as a director. I'd seen and enjoyed films of his in the past, of course, but the thought of him make a sci-fi movie intrigued me. To be honest, I thought it was going to be a disaster, but after seeing it I really believe he could tackle any genre and make a fascinating film within it. I'd love to see him make a superhero film!
I'm in agreement with most of the posters here, and I'll add that there were moments in "Sunshine" (like the EVA to repair the solar shield) that were truly terrifying. Brilliant and unsettling...
Excellent film, brilliant build up, well acted, great sets but the final act was just nuts.
Favourite Danny Boyle film. Great soundtrack, brilliant acting and superb script.
While I have not yet seen a single Danny Boyle film which I dislike, Sunshine still remains my personal favourite, and Mark pretty much summed up why. It's a powerful, thought-provoking and beautiful film and it still give me goosebumps to this day. As for the ending, Mark Strong does very well with a performance which, arguably, had no right to be in the film, and subsequently compensates for the not entirely hateful but certainly unnecessary slasher detour. Thanks for posting this Mark.
One of my favourite films.
It is worth watching for the first two thirds of the movie. I don't mind the third act so much.
This and the remake of 'Solaris' are two sci-fi gems, I keep on revisiting
And the score... my god the score.
I saw this in cinema and its amazing....the soundtrack alone is breathtakingly good. So good infact i stayed in theatre until the very last credit just to hear it :D
Me too! I already knew, 'Underworld' had their 'sound' electronic hands part on it, when I saw it at the flicks. Nearly, if not empty cinema. What a trip! I will never forget it!
I enjoyed Sunshine the first time I saw it, and suddenly felt a craving to watch it again a few months ago. And I still enjoyed it then too. I wouldn't say it's Danny Boyle's best work or anything, but it's definitely not a bad movie. Underrated, sure.
Spot on Mr Kermode. I think this film is fantastic and was puzzled by people's indifference to it. Nice to know I'm not alone.
When I watch Sunshine I continue to be convinced that this is the film Marvel saw that made them beg for Chris Evans to be Captain America
great cast, great story, great film.
I have fond and yet conflicted memories of seeing Sunshine in the cinema where I was working at, I'd love to give it a second chance.
Just yesterday I was watching 127 hours and up until now I did not know that Sunshine was a Danny Boyle film . I guess it's another gem in a brilliant director's career .
I was blown away when I saw Sunshine. I was surprised it didn't do better and I'm also surprised that I haven't watched it since the first time I saw it in the cinema.
Sunshine is a truly fantastic movie and l love watching it. It also fills me with sadness whenever I watch it as it always reminds me of the fact that Danny Boyle has said he would never do a Sci-Fi (space) type of movie again, Which really is a huge loss to the Sci-Fi genre (space).
i love sunshine...great video!!!
This is great, I've always loved Sunshine think it's a fantastic film.
I hold sunshine up there with my favorite Danny Boyle films, criminally underrated.
I agree. The last 3rd felt like a completely different film. Despite this, I would say that Sunshine is one of my favourite Danny Boyle films.
One of the best sci-fi movies ever made!
same here man. i stumbled upon that movie by accident few years back and never even heard of it....i watched it and was wondering how did i know knew about it :D good sci fi
Saw it on opening week in an empty cinema and have also found its box office reception a puzzle. Give it a second chance indeed.
... keep your ears open at the very end of the film's credits for a nice little detail.
So many superb sci-fi classics mentioned in this video. I own every one of them on Blu-ray or DVD... apart from Sunshine!! It's been years since I saw Sunshine and my overriding (in fact, my only) memory of it is of feeling deeply unsatisfied and frustrated when it finished. The vivid memory of that feeling is enough to put me off giving it a 2nd chance.
But everyone should give Zardoz a chance. It's imaginative, crazy, unconventional 70's sci-fi fun. A fave of mine, & definitely never "boring".
It was on a few days ago on C4, loved it.
I completely agree. Sunshine was a great film.
thank you. i love this film.
I remember watching Sunshine when i came out on DVD, can't remember much that was mazing about it but maybe a second watch now i'm a bit older might be open it up.
"Sunshine" is a fantastic film. Super entertaining.
"Sunshine killed Sunshine" Mind blown
I will always have mass respect for you since I managed to get a bootleg VHS copy of your BLADERUNNNER documentary here in the U.S. - before RUclips, it was passed around and is still the most bitchin' documentary about BR
The ending of Sunshine had me in tears.
Fantastic review, I completely agree.
One of the best films I've ever seen!
I saw Sunshine on it's opening weekend in a big theater on the main screen and there were about 15 people there... but I love this movie (to be honest I started loving it after the 2nd viewing)
I'll give it a first chance. I've never seen it. Look forward to it now.
It was coined by a scientist in the 1950's but he never intended for it to be misconstrued or imbued with any religious/spiritual meaning, it was only meant as a descriptor of its importance to the scientific world. I'm sure if he knew how people were interpreting his little metaphor sixty years later, he would never have said it
Pretty much my feelings exactly. It went from easily being one of the best sci fi movies to something I'd have a hard time recommending to anyone else. It's a shame, I've never seen a movie take such a hard swing in it's final 20 minutes.
Sunshine, Event Horizon and Moon are modern British sci-fi classics. They are have their flaws but brilliantly directed, fantastic special effects/models and great soundtracks.
Watched it 1st time yesterday. Danny gets the absolute max out of what is an intelligent but ultimately average script that chooses excitement over thoughtfulness. As a film fan I think its probably the right choice as its a perfectly paced. The philosopher in me may have wanted a prolonged meditation on isolation, self sacrifice and the burdens of responsibility but I'm glad it didn't go that way as it would have been boring. Despite the religious undertones this a fun rather than deep film.
28 Days Latter is still my favorite Boyle picture but Sunshine is pretty miraculous. Some of the best visuals I've ever seen in a movie and that score by John Murphy was awesome. Never really understood the negative reaction to the third act, though.
I saw it as something that added to the story than detract from it, kind of like a "How can this get any worse" and then Mark Strong appears to ruin everybody's day. Still, a lovely film.
And good to see love for Event Horizon.
Where is the follow up to the 12 Monkeys film club? I've been waiting for ages to see it.
Sunshine is the only Danny Boyle film I really like. Don't get me wrong; I see that he's a great film-maker, it's just that most of his films deal with subjects that don't particularly interest me. I, like many other people, would complain about the slasher element (it's a bit TOO Event Horizon), but it didn't bother me THAT much. I love the fact that Cillian Murphy is clearly channelling Brian Cox And it does have a great ending.
Most my friend group and I all realy like Sunshine, never got why nobody saw it originally.
Sunshine is a great film, love the direction, artistry, acting, story, everything. I think it's too intelligent for a general audience :o) Yes, this film should have had an autumn release.
Sunshine is has glorious as the Sun that drives the movie. In a vast body of great work it is Danny Boyles' best films, a perfect integration of character, story, sound and visuals. Yes the hot Summer sadly killed its Box Office, but like it was for me, what better than to cool off in an air-conditioned room and watch one of the finest Science Fictions of All-Time. It's so gorgeous a) You're amazed that Roger Deakins didn't do the Cinematography, and b) it's a Blu-Ray must buy.
wonderful film.
I agree with Mark Completely here Sunshine for me is Danny Boyles best work, its as underrated as MOON which is also one of the best Sci-Fi films in our generation.
I find myself thinking of Prometheus. Both have religious themes, both are visually brilliant, both not sure if they should be 2001 or Terminator, both have fascinating ideas behind them, both have flawed scripts.
Mark's convinced me.
I liked Sunshine but I always found the end to be a little heavy-handed.
But, I'll try it again.
Great, great, GREAT choice!!!
I’ve spoken to a few people about Sunshine - they enjoyed it up until the introduction of Pinbacker, they lost interest when it turned into a slasher film
brilliant movie
i think of this film as a fable and at its core i agree it was observing 'inner space' rather than trying to be scientifically valid - i think thats what the audience didnt like. the ending where capa reaches for the sun is an incredible scene though, wish more people tapped in to the beautiful symbolism of at least that scene
Check out Beyond The Black Rainbow
Alex Garland is awesome.
Event Horizon is the kind of movie that a non-cinephile would want to see more than once.
save the galaxy eh, you sure?
dedmaroz didn't mean the movie, just this particular video, kermode is the one who said to save the galaxy. I lost it at that point too.
Pleased everyone liked it so much. I didn't. I'd trade it for Zardoz any day, a film which is neither "terrible" nor "boring." It is IMO a genuinely underrated and poorly appreciated masterpiece.
great call on the ships name what about zippo, arson,prodigy or I.E.D.
I love Sunshine! Still my favorite Danny Boyle film.
SUNSHINE was out at the same time as TRANSFORMERS i remember - Man, compare Bay to Boyle! - Boyle can make bricks out of straw. :) SUNSHINE is a true classic and literally had me on the edge of my cinema seat.
This movie is so underrated
The term "known as" specifically means what the greater public know something as. The Higgs Boson IS known as the God Particle, it's scientific name is the Higgs Boson. Wether or not "the God Particle" was coined by the media is irelevant. I've heard people use both terms. And to be fair - a Kermode Uncut Film Club video...and THATS what you decide to comment? His use of the phrase "known as"?
I think they would be trying to save the Solar System. Not quite sure I remember them saying they were saving the Milkyway Galaxy in the film...where did you hear that?
He just missspoke. All he meant to say was solar system.
with a ship named Icarus, you know things aren't going to well
thats what tarantino said. And i agree completely
Really good film, hideously underrated.
Wrong; Danny Boyle's most overlooked and unloved effort (and rightly so imo) is The Beach.
On another note, Sunshine is indeed a very interesting film, conjuring astonishing visuals in order to better understand, or rather explore, our innate fascination with the Sun and its infinite power. Too bad it goes off the rail in its last 3rd.
Event horizon?
Brilliant film, horrendous final act. Almost felt like some executive demanded some kind of evil super villain boogieman just so there was a point to the movie for the foolish, contemporary public. The sun itself is the great villain, utterly terrifying, untouchable and forever in sight. I thought it a great shame when I finished the movie and have been unable to return since.
I saw it when it first came out in the cinema, I had ice cream.
I think the most disappointing thing as opposed to Event Horizon is that at least with Event Horizon you knew what you signed up for at the start. Sunshine meanders off for the final 3rd though I do like the final culmination.
Danny Boyle's best methinks.
I do agree it's got some serious problems in the third act, but I did get a better opinion of it after a second viewing. The idea of religion nearly leading to the downfall of man (one single religious lunatic, even) was an intriguing idea, even though the execution seemed far-fetched.
I totally agree with you... a friend dubbed him the "zombie priest" and it's about right. A curve ball that just totally ruins a film that had a lot of good potential, otherwise.
Every time I read something about Sunshine, I can't help but feel people completely misinterpret or just don't understand Boyle's masterpiece, and yes, it's better than Slumdog and Trainspotting. The one thing I would disagree with Mark Kermode on is that it isn't a true sci-fi movie in the same vein as 2001, Alien, Blade Runner etc. If you can park the sci-fi and extrapolate the human psychology of what unfolds in the third act, it is imperative to the story, and post 9/11 VERY relevant.
Sunshine is a good film, bar the third act. Which to be honest, is very similar to Event Horizon.
"The question of why Sunshine never found the audience and the appreciation it deserved remains unanswered" Let me help you out, Mark: People are idiots.
Why? Because at that time people weren't as jaded. Also it played it perfectly, the alien is a monster and killing the crew comes natural. In sunshine, slasher films has ran its course and people want something intelligent. I can't accept a human being that is radiated and is fueled by rage to kill an entire crew. Not only that their deaths happened because they were being stupid.
for me its a 10/10
The final third would have worked much better if Mark Strong's character had been just a bit less "superhuman". For me it broke the realism - no, really - the rest of the movie is one of the greatest portrayals of the atheist, scientific mind's wonder at the enormous power and beauty of our existence represented by its engine, the sun. Yes, the final scenes tend towards religion but even atheists have religious experiences.