Forget the Lead Review - It's a fine Sci-Fi Flick

Just how do these guys get to be "first" so that their reviews are the ones
that you see when you first call up the movie page on any film?

The guy who wrote the review trashing this film is just WAY off, IMHO.
I'm writing this to encourage those who might be considering buying or
renting or just checking out reviews before a network airing to definitely
give it a viewing. I loved it!

Traditional Sci-Fi *as written* has usually sub-divided itself into 2 types:
"Hard" Sci-Fi and "Soft". In particular, Hard SF means it is techie, has lots
of Outer Space, Space Travel, Future Tech Marvels,etc. Think "2001" for
example. The other kind is more dominated by Fantasy elements usually.
"Supernova" is definitely Hard SF (and in more ways than one!). And that's
a big part of the fun.

The actors are very good though I must admit I was kinda underwhelmed by
Angela Basset's performance - I thought it wooden at times. Perhaps the
real answer is that James Spader totally out-acts the whole rest of the cast put
together. This is a fine role for him. He says completely in character
and just gets better as he goes on. I like films where you need to watch
the characters for a while before you figure them out.

The direction and editing keeps up a good pace. In several key scenes I went
into rewind and slo-mo mode just to pick up everything there. The sets were
VERY well dressed for my taste and the FX were - maybe not top-notch - but
very well done for the size and budget of this film. As another poster noted,
the FTL sequences are right up there with the classic Star Wars take on FTL
which is most people's idea of FTL travel. This version is probably better if you
can get past the fact the film makers did not ape other peoples' ideas on this.
Any FTL Sequence will have to show acceleration, time dilation effects, and
return to "normality" if it is to be anywhere near legit and "Supernova" does a great job.

I'm not saying this is a GREAT film, it's not. Maybe 3 out of 4 stars. But no
way I would give it a "four" as this site does. Watching the Deleted Scenes
makes it clear a lot was left out that might have made things smoother. The
plot gave us a chance to see something like a little philosophy or at least
some thoughtful comments on the implications of the events we witness but it
instead becomes increasingly action/gore oriented as it approaches the climax.
Yeah, you can certainly see a good amount of "2001" influence on this movie
but I still found it very entertaining. And that robot, "Flyboy" is awful!
I admit that. He looks like a reject from "THX-1138" - On purpose perhaps ?
Flyboy has only one real purpose in the film which I won't reveal - He plays
that well and with humor. But he is still a pathetic robot/android/whatever.
Also, I like the Alternative Ending better than the one they chose.

As you can see, I've tried to write a favorable review without spoilers which
limits how much detail I can discuss but I hope it was worth reading to you.
One final thing to share might be this: Some SF films are worthy just 'cause
they do a great job of absorbing us in the Outer Space-ness they show.
Sort of a Cosmic Eye-Candy. I think there's a lot of this in Supernova which
means some very nice matte and model work. Very nice Space flick just to
watch if you get my drift. 3 out of 4, Solid Acting, Space Eye Candy, some
points to ponder over in the plot if you care. Worth a watch.

Andrew