High Moon

High Moon is an exhilarating blend of science fiction, western and action genres, resulting in a unique film that considerably heightens the viewing experience. Also known as Howlers, this 2019 flick is the brainchild of director Josh Ridgway. The story unfolds as a mysterious gun-slinging bounty hunter, Colt, is brought back from the supernatural world to enact his vengeance. The surprise package of the film comes with extraterrestrial beings from the moon, and how they all work together to weave an engaging plotline.

The film is set in a post-apocalyptic world where civilisation as we know it has diminished. The population has fled to the moon in a bid for survival, and has established lunar cities as their new home. As they look for a way to recolonize Earth, darker secrets dwelling within the moonscape begin to surface, impacting life both on the moon and the Earth. The storyline traverses through the intricacies of conflict, survival, revenge, and human endurance in the face of cosmic threats.

In High Moon, Colt (Chad Michael Collins), a uniquely skilled bounty hunter, is resurrected from the dead and thrown into this dystopian world, 150 years into the future. The character of Colt is a classic representation of the Old West – a stern, hard-edged gunslinger, who is overpowered by a thirst for revenge against the horde of werewolves that decimated his world. What makes his crusade against these creatures more interesting is the unexpected twist of these werewolves turning out to be motorcycle-riding, criminal werewolves who have ascended to Earth from the moon. This eclectic mix of western and sci-fi genres exhibit an interesting dimension of 'space cowboys' and 'werewolf bikers' reminiscing tales of the Wild West from a completely new viewpoint.

High Moon displays a plethora of emotions, the most striking among them being a deep undercurrent of revenge that propels the protagonist in his mission. It is Colt's personality and his quest to obliterate his enemies that humanise the narrative amidst its supernatural and sci-fi concoction. On one side there is the gunslinger who time-travels to the future in pursuit of his foes while on the other side the audience encounters a group of outlaws who are part human, part beasts.

Besides Colt, the film also introduces a wide range of characters, each detailed and intriguing enough to uplift the overall storytelling. From powerful werewolves who ride bikes and colonise the moon, to commoners trying to protect their lives, High Moon unfolds a vivid portrait of survival. While each character is different from the other, they all share an unspoken bond of fighting against the uncommon challenges to protect their existences.

As a work of science-fiction the film also dabbles in themes of technology. This is observed in the way lunar settlements are created, the representation of future landscapes, and the bounty hunter’s combat gear, which takes us into a world of technological advances. However, the narrative never loses its grip on its raw, western characteristics too.

Visually, the film features impressive cinematography, interspersing earthly landscapes and lunar cityscapes seamlessly. The character costumes and overall production design effectively merge elements of western and futuristic styles, thereby adding an aesthetic richness to every frame.

In the dense pool of sci-fi and western genres, High Moon stands out as a memorable cinematic experience. It's a fast-paced, action-packed extravaganza that traps viewers in its thrilling storyline. A must-watch, especially for fans of both genres, it is an enthralling blend of classic western tropes, contemporary sci-fi themes and an exciting array of characters.

By incorporating supernatural elements within the narrative, the film successfully transcends the boundaries of conventional genres and offers a thrilling watch for audiences keen on unique, imaginative and audacious storytelling. High Moon offers an exceptionally adventurous journey into a future where moon-dwelling werewolves and gun-slinging bounty hunters form an unusual yet captivating narrative that promises a memorable cinematic experience.