The description on Netflix made it sound like this was going to be an Alien ripoff of some sort, but it had a pretty good rating. I was really impressed with how well they handled a project this ambitious on a pretty modest budget. Not to mention that the movie was structured very well, keeping me firmly interested.
While the movie is framed as a found-footage affair, this feels right. The entire project is appropriately documented, and all of the footage is being sent back to Earth. We get a few other experts involved in the mission offering information periodically, which lends it a little bit of documentary feel. The best part of this found-footage angle is that the cameras are usually stationary, or they are helmet cameras. It's very easy to watch.
The story jumps around in sequence a little. This wasn't needed, but it helps to keep things interested, and it's an acceptable way of building a mystery where there would only be drama otherwise.
Most importantly, we only get as many answers as the crew gets. Once the ending comes, we know that the entire crew is doomed, but we admire that they were willing to make the sacrifice to share what they learned with mankind. The facts about what they discover are a little vague, but it seems to involve some kind of water-dwelling creature that generates some light, but also has radioactive properties. It's hard to explain it.
I found myself thinking about Angry Red Planet, which I watched a month or so ago. This movie is in the same vein, but it tries to play the space mission more straight.
A much better movie than I expected.
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