Film #106 - A Trip to the Moon (1902)
Viewed April 16, 2006
A Trip to the Moon is the oldest movie I have seen so far this year. Made near the dawn of cinema, it is a breakthrough film, utilizing special effects in a way not before seen.
The plot is very simple: scientists decide to built a rocket to visit the moon, find unfriendly moon men, get captured, effect an escape and then return to earth. Quite a bit of excitement crammed into its scant 14 minute running time.
A Trip to the Moon still looks very impressive today. The use of elaborate staging and practical visual effects gives it its unique look. Similar effects are still being used (for stylistic reasons) in films like The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) and Moulin Rouge (2001). Even apart from the effects shots, the sets and costumes are amazingly intricate and detailed, showing a level of attention rarely given films of the day.
Credit must go to director/screenwriter Georges Méliès, who keeps things moving at a lightning pace. There’s never enough time to stop and think about the preposterous nature of some of the elements, since things move so fast. He also gets the most out of his overactive cast, really getting them to sell the story, helping with the all-important suspension of disbelief.
A Trip to the Moon is probably best known for the “Rocket in the Man in the Moon’s Eye” shot, but there’s plenty more visual treats to make watching the whole thing more than worthwhile.