Moon 44
Encyclopedia
Moon 44 is a 1990 science fiction
, action film
from Centropolis Film Productions, directed by Roland Emmerich
and starring Michael Paré
and Lisa Eichhorn
and co-starring Brian Thompson
.
In addition, Galactic Mining hires Felix Stone (Michael Paré
), an undercover agent, to investigate the fate of two shuttles that recently disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Stone travels to Moon 44 with the prisoners, and meets chief navigator Tyler (Dean Devlin
) who suspects they were stolen by somebody who modified their flight computers. It turns out that the mining operation defence responsible Major Lee (Malcolm McDowell
) assisted by Master Sergeant Sykes (Leon Rippy
) are the prime suspects. Stone survives an assassination attempt during flight training. Sykes is later caught in the act by Stone as he is reprogramming the destination of a mining shuttle shortly before departure. He desperately attacks Stone with an axe but is quickly gunned down by Lee to cover the evidence (Lee also refuses to hand over the modified computer to Stone, citing "company orders").
Having accomplished his mission, Stone prepares to return to Earth but the mining operation is finally attacked by a Pyrite "Medusa"-class battle cruiser. Major Lee secretly sabotages the alarm systems and then prepares to redirect all the mining shuttles back to Earth, as instructed by Galactic Mining. Stone manages to singlehandedly shoot down the entire first wave of enemy attack drones, while prisoner O'Neal (Brian Thompson
) stays behind to destroy the remaining ones as Lee's betrayal is discovered by Morgan, the flight training leader. Lee also tries to sabotage the sole remaining mining shuttle, but he is trapped in an elevator by Morgan and Stone and blown up by his own bomb. The others return safely to Earth, where Stone informs the Galactic Mining Chairman (Roscoe Lee Browne
) that Lee was bribed by Pyrite to redirect the mining shuttles to a planet in the Outer Zone.
and scored by composer Joel Goldsmith
. It was filmed in color with Dolby Stereo sound. Production design and visual effects bear signs of significant inspiration by aesthetics of notable 1970s/80s science fiction films like Alien
, Aliens
, Blade Runner
or The Terminator
.
, Blade Runner
and Aliens
, also it was criticized for it's clichéd plot, the one dimensional stereotype characters and the cheesy special effects. however it was successful on home video and retained a cult
status.
Science fiction film
Science fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
, action film
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
from Centropolis Film Productions, directed by Roland Emmerich
Roland Emmerich
Roland Emmerich is a German film director, screenwriter, and producer.His films, most of which are Hollywood productions filmed in English, have grossed more than $3 billion worldwide, more than those of any other European director...
and starring Michael Paré
Michael Paré
- Early life :Paré was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Joan, a homemaker, and Francis Paré, who owned print shops. He had six sisters and three brothers. Paré's father was of French-Canadian ancestry and his mother of Irish ancestry....
and Lisa Eichhorn
Lisa Eichhorn
Lisa Eichhorn is an American actress, writer and producer. She made her film debut in 1979 in the John Schlesinger film Yanks for which she received two Golden Globe nominations...
and co-starring Brian Thompson
Brian Thompson (actor)
Brian Thompson is an American actor. His distinctive square-jaw profile, powerful voice, and imposing stature has led him to be typecast as a villain in many action films and TV series, and a some comedies: Joe Dirt, The Three Amigos, Weird Science, Key West, and Life Stinks.-Career:Thompson has...
.
Plot
By the year 2038 all natural resources on Earth have been depleted. Multinational corporations have taken control of the universe and rival companies fight deadly battles over mining planets in outer space. One of these battlefields is the Moon 44 fuel mining operation in the Outer Zone, which is the only installation still controlled by the Galactic Mining corporation. The other moons 51, 47 and 46 have recently been conquered by the Pyrite defense company's battle robots. Galactic Mining had its own defence system—battle helicopters operating in the stormy atmospheres of the moons—but it was cancelled as too many of its pilots died during training as they had to navigate in extreme weather conditions on Moon 44. Now the company will send new young navigators to Moon 44 to assist the pilots. However, there is still a shortage of pilots as nobody wants to move to the Outer Zone, so the company is forced to use prisoners as a last resort. Galactic Mining regards its fleet of one hundred mining shuttles as even more important, and the shuttles will leave Moon 44 at the first sign of attack while leaving the Moon 44 crew behind.In addition, Galactic Mining hires Felix Stone (Michael Paré
Michael Paré
- Early life :Paré was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Joan, a homemaker, and Francis Paré, who owned print shops. He had six sisters and three brothers. Paré's father was of French-Canadian ancestry and his mother of Irish ancestry....
), an undercover agent, to investigate the fate of two shuttles that recently disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Stone travels to Moon 44 with the prisoners, and meets chief navigator Tyler (Dean Devlin
Dean Devlin
Dean Devlin is an American screenwriter, producer, television director and former actor. He is the founder of the production company Electric Entertainment.-Personal life:...
) who suspects they were stolen by somebody who modified their flight computers. It turns out that the mining operation defence responsible Major Lee (Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell is an English actor with a career spanning over forty years.McDowell is principally known for his roles in the controversial films If...., O Lucky Man!, A Clockwork Orange and Caligula...
) assisted by Master Sergeant Sykes (Leon Rippy
Leon Rippy
Leon Rippy is an American actor.-Life and career:He has worked with Roland Emmerich on seven movies including: Moon 44 , Eye of the Storm , Universal Soldier , Stargate , The Thirteenth Floor , The Patriot , Eight Legged Freaks and also had a role in the 2004...
) are the prime suspects. Stone survives an assassination attempt during flight training. Sykes is later caught in the act by Stone as he is reprogramming the destination of a mining shuttle shortly before departure. He desperately attacks Stone with an axe but is quickly gunned down by Lee to cover the evidence (Lee also refuses to hand over the modified computer to Stone, citing "company orders").
Having accomplished his mission, Stone prepares to return to Earth but the mining operation is finally attacked by a Pyrite "Medusa"-class battle cruiser. Major Lee secretly sabotages the alarm systems and then prepares to redirect all the mining shuttles back to Earth, as instructed by Galactic Mining. Stone manages to singlehandedly shoot down the entire first wave of enemy attack drones, while prisoner O'Neal (Brian Thompson
Brian Thompson (actor)
Brian Thompson is an American actor. His distinctive square-jaw profile, powerful voice, and imposing stature has led him to be typecast as a villain in many action films and TV series, and a some comedies: Joe Dirt, The Three Amigos, Weird Science, Key West, and Life Stinks.-Career:Thompson has...
) stays behind to destroy the remaining ones as Lee's betrayal is discovered by Morgan, the flight training leader. Lee also tries to sabotage the sole remaining mining shuttle, but he is trapped in an elevator by Morgan and Stone and blown up by his own bomb. The others return safely to Earth, where Stone informs the Galactic Mining Chairman (Roscoe Lee Browne
Roscoe Lee Browne
Roscoe Lee Browne was an American actor and director, known for his rich voice and dignified bearing.-Biography:Browne was the fourth son of a Baptist minister, Sylvanus S. Browne, and his wife Lovie...
) that Lee was bribed by Pyrite to redirect the mining shuttles to a planet in the Outer Zone.
Cast
- Michael ParéMichael Paré- Early life :Paré was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Joan, a homemaker, and Francis Paré, who owned print shops. He had six sisters and three brothers. Paré's father was of French-Canadian ancestry and his mother of Irish ancestry....
as Felix Stone - Lisa EichhornLisa EichhornLisa Eichhorn is an American actress, writer and producer. She made her film debut in 1979 in the John Schlesinger film Yanks for which she received two Golden Globe nominations...
as Terry Morgan - Dean DevlinDean DevlinDean Devlin is an American screenwriter, producer, television director and former actor. He is the founder of the production company Electric Entertainment.-Personal life:...
as Tyler - Brian ThompsonBrian Thompson (actor)Brian Thompson is an American actor. His distinctive square-jaw profile, powerful voice, and imposing stature has led him to be typecast as a villain in many action films and TV series, and a some comedies: Joe Dirt, The Three Amigos, Weird Science, Key West, and Life Stinks.-Career:Thompson has...
as Jake O’Neal - Leon RippyLeon RippyLeon Rippy is an American actor.-Life and career:He has worked with Roland Emmerich on seven movies including: Moon 44 , Eye of the Storm , Universal Soldier , Stargate , The Thirteenth Floor , The Patriot , Eight Legged Freaks and also had a role in the 2004...
as Master Sergeant Sykes - Stephen GeoffreysStephen Geoffreys-Life and career:Born Stephen Geoffrey Miller in Cincinnati, Ohio, Geoffreys first began acting on the stage. In 1984, he was nominated for Broadway's Tony Award for "Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical" for his performance in a play based on the The Human Comedy...
as Cookie - Malcolm McDowellMalcolm McDowellMalcolm McDowell is an English actor with a career spanning over forty years.McDowell is principally known for his roles in the controversial films If...., O Lucky Man!, A Clockwork Orange and Caligula...
as Major Lee - Jochen Nickel as Scooter Bailey
- Roscoe Lee BrowneRoscoe Lee BrowneRoscoe Lee Browne was an American actor and director, known for his rich voice and dignified bearing.-Biography:Browne was the fourth son of a Baptist minister, Sylvanus S. Browne, and his wife Lovie...
as Chairman Hall.
Production
The film was shot by cinematographer Karl Walter LindenlaubKarl Walter Lindenlaub
Karl Walter Lindenlaub, A.S.C., B.V.K. is a German cinematographer. He did the cinematography for feature films such as Stargate, Independence Day and The Haunting.-Filmography:*Stargate *Rob Roy...
and scored by composer Joel Goldsmith
Joel Goldsmith
Joel Goldsmith is a composer of film, television, and video game music. He is the son of renowned composer Jerry Goldsmith. He was the main composer for the TV series Stargate SG-1, although the main titles were written by David Arnold...
. It was filmed in color with Dolby Stereo sound. Production design and visual effects bear signs of significant inspiration by aesthetics of notable 1970s/80s science fiction films like Alien
Alien (film)
Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm and Yaphet Kotto. The film's title refers to its primary antagonist: a highly aggressive extraterrestrial creature which...
, Aliens
Aliens (film)
Aliens is a 1986 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen, William Hope, and Bill Paxton...
, Blade Runner
Blade Runner
Blade Runner is a 1982 American science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young. The screenplay, written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, is loosely based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K...
or The Terminator
The Terminator
The Terminator is a 1984 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron, co-written by Cameron and William Wisher Jr., and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, and Linda Hamilton. The film was produced by Hemdale Film Corporation and distributed by Orion Pictures, and filmed in Los...
.
Reception
It received mostly negative reviews from critics. it was criticized since its release for being a blatant rip-off of Star WarsStar Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released as Star Wars, is a 1977 American epic space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It is the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films complete the original trilogy, while a prequel trilogy completes the...
, Blade Runner
Blade Runner
Blade Runner is a 1982 American science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young. The screenplay, written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, is loosely based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K...
and Aliens
Aliens (film)
Aliens is a 1986 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen, William Hope, and Bill Paxton...
, also it was criticized for it's clichéd plot, the one dimensional stereotype characters and the cheesy special effects. however it was successful on home video and retained a cult
Cult Classic
Cult Classic is a Blue Öyster Cult studio recording released in 1994, containing remakes of many of the band's previous hits.-Track listing:# " The Reaper" - 5:05# "E.T.I...
status.