Blu-Ray: Moon (2009)

Directed by Duncan Jones, Moon was a surprise hit in cinemas earlier this year. A medium-budget science fiction film, shot using both modern CGI and old-fashioned scale models, it attracted audiences thanks to a combination of an effective, relatively clever plot and a nostalgic look that's reminiscent of 1970s science-fiction epics.

The plot is set in a future where material from the sun, ejected by solar flares, is harvested from the far side of the moon to provide plentiful, green energy for the Earth. After a brief introduction in the form of a promotional film for Lunar Industries, the company responsible for collecting this material, we join an employee, Sam Bell, who is working through the final few weeks of his solitary three-year contract tending to the lunar harvesting machines.

Live communications between the moon base and Earth having been lost for some time, Sam relies on videotaped messages from his wife and the moon base's robot, GERTY, for company. With this setup established, the film sees Sam go out to tend one of the harvesting machines, only for an accident to befall him – and on waking his problems have more than doubled.

The film is small in scope but works well, thanks largely to an excellent performance by Sam Rockwell in the leading role. The Blu-ray transfer looks great, and although high-definition does show up the slight graininess of some low-light shots this adds to the film's period look. Clint Mansell’s elegant, sparse soundtrack is also of notably high quality.

The Blu-ray includes plenty of extras: there are two documentaries on the film, both of which are more interesting than usual thanks to information on the set, model photography and visual trickery used to create one of the characters, as well as the usual commentaries and trailers. Also included is a short (30m) film by the director, although sadly this is transferred in standard definition. There’s enough here, in fact, to recommend it both to those new to the film and those who saw it in the cinema.