Effective ‘Europa Report’ Mixes Science with Fiction

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CHICAGO – Unlike a lot of so-called science fiction (“Sharknado” comes to mind), “Europa Report” actually relies heavily on true science. There really is a school of thought, as explained by the great Neil Degrasse Tyson in archival footage used in the film, that the icy surface of Europa, one of the moons of Jupiter, may hold the most remarkable discovery in the history of mankind – that we are not alone. Where there’s ice and heat signatures, there could be life. It’s a great starting point for “Europa Report,” an effective piece of work about the sacrifice scientists and astronauts are willing to make for the most important way we can evolve – with knowledge.

Here’s the warning. “Europa Report” is a found footage film. I know. Ugh. Another one of those. Didn’t we go this route with the abysmal “Apollo 18”? Trust me. Director Sebastian Cordero gets very creative in the way he uses cameras placed all around the spaceship Europa One and intercuts what they capture with interview footage from a fictional documentary about what they discover on the edge of space.

Europa Report
Europa Report
Photo credit: Magnolia Pictures

I’m more exhausted by the found footage genre than most people but I found it effective here in the way it enhances the claustrophobia of a small vessel on the precipice of history. We are not just with these people in the Europa One but the story often unfolds in footage captured from within the visor of their spacesuits, getting us close to their eyes as they see our understanding of the universe about to change. It’s one of those rare occasions, like “Chronicle,” in which the found footage aspect enhances the story instead of just feeling like a gimmick.

Through the cameras of the Europa One, we meet its crew, played by a number of recognizable faces, including Sharlto Copley (“District 9”), Christian Camargo (“Dexter”), Anamaria Marinca (“4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days”), Michael Nyqvist (the original “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”), Daniel Wu, and Karolina Wydra. “Interview subjects,” the people who helped finance and plan the Europa mission, include Dan Fogler and Embeth Davidtz.

Europa Report
Europa Report
Photo credit: Magnolia Pictures

As in most movies like this, everything seems fine until the Europa crew get near their drop zone and lose communication with Earth. They now have to proceed on their own, landing on Europa and searching for signs of life. It’s not really a spoiler to say they find them. There wouldn’t be a movie without them. However, “Europa Report” is not a typical space monster movie, nor a psychological genre entry like “Solaris” or “Event Horizon.” It’s unique in its representation of men and women willing to sacrifice their lives to keep the mission going. And it’s refreshingly heavy in actual scientific jargon.

I wish “Europa Report” was a little tenser. It sags a bit in the middle and sometimes feels weighed down with dialogue when I wanted a few more striking visuals (often a failure of found footage films). However, “Europa Report” is always engaging and interesting, two things I wouldn’t say about many recent science fiction OR found footage films. It’s created a bit of a buzz now that it’s been available On Demand for the last few weeks and opens in some markets on Friday. However you see it, you should find a way to do so. We need to reward smart, intellectual sci-fi like this if we want more of it. And, as fun as “Sharnado” is, we want more of it.

“Europa Report” stars Sharlto Copley, Christian Camargo, Embeth Davidtz, Anamaria Marinca, Michael Nyqvist, Daniel Wu, Karolina Wydra, and Dan Fogler. It was written by Philip Gelatt and directed by Sebastian Cordero. It is now available On Demand and opens in some markets on August 2, 2013.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

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