Europa Report

Awesome thoroughbred sci-fi movie, the second this year that made me feel I was watching the adaptation of some classic novel (the first one was Oblivion). In addition to the very attractive premise and the good performances, it is very smartly put together with a mature use of the found-footage format – the interviews with characters and the jumps between different timelines generate false impressions, expectations and surprises. And none of the characters is an idiot, which also counts. For the fans of proper sci-fi who don’t need shiny visuals, space battles, explosions and loads of expensive effects, this is a must. (08.07.2013)

I like that the creators of sci-fi movies are not afraid to come up with new ideas lately. Europa Report does not break the boundaries with its originality, but it still contains a lot of messages that are worth thinking about. Add in the great international acting crew, filmmaking craft of a great quality, even though it is cheap, and you have a small-scale film about what might one day be pretty important events of humankind. (10.01.2016)

Eine solide Genre-Angelegenheit, die eine B-Filmkonstruktion außer mit einem Klischeebrei auch mit ernsthafteren Themen sowie eine ehrgeizigere Erzählstruktur überhäuft. Das wird hier relativ clever und gekonnt gemacht, obwohl es dementsprechend nicht gelingt die billigen Kulissen zu verdecken. Den Sentinel hätten wir da gerne einmal auslassen können. Angesichts der Tatsache, dass die Macher mehrere meiner enormen Phobien miteinander kombiniert haben, bewerte ich den Streifen sehr positiv. Es packt einen. (24.07.2013)

A pedantically down-to-earth Prometheus with convincing behavior from all in this minimalist and incredibly orthodox sci-fi offering for genre connoisseurs. And one of the rare exceptions where the concept of found footage isn’t just a cheap trick hiding a low budget, but an integral component and one of the main building blocks of its effectiveness, which it also owes to the simple fact that it succeeds in creating the convincing illusion (I repeat, illusion, not real-life action) that “one day, when it happens, these people will behave exactly like this". (01.07.2013)

This needed more. Either in terms of the budget and visuals, or a more inventive script and better character work, because after approximately 15 minutes, I came to the conclusion that I was watching a 2-star film, and until the final minutes, I didn't have to change anything about that realization. The film should either be a spectacle or have the ability to evoke strong emotions, none of which happened. Sebastián Cordero showed that sci-fi doesn't necessarily have to be made with huge investments, but that's about it. Overall impression: 40%. (21.12.2016)

A completely believable, tense to chilling sci-fi that is of credit to the genre and again instills a thirst for space science. Cordero uses the concept of camera recordings cleverly and through sensitive dramaturgy he exploits the viewer’s questions for the good of the story. As a Clarke lover, I was thrilled by the mission to Europe (the setting for more than one Space Odyssey) where life may exist in the oceans beneath the ice. The casting is faultless, even though the most memorable were the trickster Sharlto Copley and the unerring Michael Nyqvist. No shortage of charged scenes and you might not realize it yet, but one of the experiences of the year is waiting for you. - I forgot my toothbrush. - Then we’ll just have to go back to Earth. (06.07.2013)

This film has a few simple trump cards that give it a significant edge over its modern genre competition. Firstly, the cast, composed of either lesser known but good actors, or characterful Nordic stalwarts (Michael Nyqvist), who, given the ambitions of the project, could not have been better. Then there’s the excellent soundtrack, which even an A-list sci-fi blockbuster by Christopher Nolan would love to have, and finally the story itself, not its intellectual sphere, which despite the great themes of fantastic scientific discoveries has little to offer and leads to a somewhat B-movie conclusion, but rather the overall composition, the imaginative time shifts that don't feel at all distracting, and the very well handled semi-documentary style that makes even the final explanation of everything feel very naturalistic and satisfying. A little sci-fi flick a huge heart, Kubrick wouldn't be offended as a viewer :) 75% (12.08.2015)