Apollo 18

Apollo 18 is a riveting science-fiction horror film released in 2011. Directed by Gonzalo López-Gallego and written by Brian Miller, the movie presents a supposedly classified narrative to its audience through a supposed 'found footage' style, more specifically, through the lens of a 1973 lunar mission. Actor performances by Warren Christie, Lloyd Owen and Ryan Robbins effectively set the stage for this transfixing film.

The movie begins by weaving its fictitious tale into the fabric of real-world history. In reality, the Apollo Program was a 17-mission space initiative by NASA that culminated in Apollo 17 marking the last ever lunar landing in 1972. But the intriguing premise of Apollo 18 proposes a final, hushed-up moon mission that pushes boundaries of the known and ventures into the unknown.

Lead actors Warren Christie (who plays the role of Captain Benjamin 'Ben' Anderson) and Lloyd Owen (portraying Commander Nate Walker) drive the narrative as two astronauts who are selected for the covert 'Apollo 18' mission. Ryan Robbins also contributes a notable performance as Lieutenant Colonel John Grey, the astronaut left in the command module while the lunar module descends onto the moon.

The central plot revolves around the unfolding events of the Apollo 18 mission. The astronauts' stated objective is to install detectors on the moon to alert the United States to any Soviet missile launches. However, as Commander Nate Walker and Captain Benjamin Anderson descend onto the moon’s surface, eerie incidents start to occur, hinting at possible non-human activity. Flickers of terror, suspense, and bone-chilling encounters ensue. These thrilling elements are coupled with the isolation and awe-inspiring vastness of the lunar landscape, making the suspense even more palpitable.

Apollo 18's unique blend of historical fact and fiction makes for an interesting narrative through which it explores the isolation and desolation of space, and man's tiny existence in the giant cosmos. The script smartly marries this existential dread with more immediate, visceral thrills. The 'found footage' style adds another level of realism to the film. The plot and setting allow for an effective build-up of suspense and fear, enhanced by the film's expert sound design and eerie silences.

Meanwhile, on a more technical level, Apollo 18 does an admirable job of communicating the space mission's practical challenges. The film has convincingly recreated the technology, procedures and living conditions involved in lunar missions, lending credibility to the movie's narrative. The film artfully uses the isolation and desolation of the lunar landscape to create suspense and intrigue.

The director, Gonzalo López-Gallego, brilliantly utilizes the eerie and cold expanse of the moon as a backdrop. He stages multiple situations where the extra-terrestrial body adds intensity and wonder, making the movie not only thrilling but visually engaging.

Apollo 18 is a rollercoaster ride, offering moments of calm emission preparation and routine procedures, swiftly followed by intense, terrifying scenes. The actors deliver authentic performances, adding depth to their characters and successfully depicting the mental and emotional strains a clandestine lunar mission can have.

While Apollo 18 is not a traditional horror film, it masterfully builds up a sense of fear and uncertainty through its storytelling. It raises questions about the known and unknown in outer space and leaves an unsettling yet captivating impact, imaginative in form and story.

In conclusion, Apollo 18 is more than just a horror/science fiction movie. It takes the 'what if' question to a whole new level, exploring the unknown regions of both the lunar surface and the human psyche, creating a hair-raising cinematic experience that keeps you on your seat's edge. Whether you're a fan of horror, science fiction, or the eternally fascinating subject of space exploration, Apollo 18 may well be worth checking out!