[8]

Before winning the Oscar for directing Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle gave us Sunshine, a riveting, futuristic sci-fi thriller about a crew of scientists' desperate plight to rejuvenate the sun.  Anything can and does go wrong during the mission, forcing the crew into some of the toughest life-and-death decision making they've ever faced.  With humankind's existence hanging in the balance, the stakes couldn't be higher.  Boyle ratchets up the tension brilliantly.

The cast, including Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later) and Chris Evans (Fantastic Four), form a great ensemble.  Trapped in a claustrophobic, high-stress scenario, everyone gets an opportunity to show their acting chops.  Cinematographer Alwin Kuchler takes full advantage of the film’s solar backdrop.  Despite the dire storyline, Kuchler washes the movie in light and color.  It almost feels like you’re watching the film from inside a prism.  The distinct visual style is complemented by a suitably modern and evocative score by John Murphy and Underworld.

Some may object to the movie’s take on religious fanaticism, but if you fear zealots as much as I do, you’ll dig Sunshine all the more.  For me, this was the best film of 2007.