The film is about six astronauts embarking on a bad exploration mission on Jupiter. In that task, the Europe Report shows those difficult choices and sacrifices the crew has faced in order to achieve their goal of sending new and unique data to Earth for research.
Despite tried-and-true formula (technical failure, one-by-one pick-offs, etc.), a number of creative enhancements make for an original and appropriately-scaled film.
Low key and earnest, Sebastián Cordero's "Europa Report" makes compelling use of familiar genre material to create an intelligent science fiction thriller.
In most modern science fiction, scientists are not depicted as noble. In the tradition of Frankenstein, they are often depicted as villains. This movie presents real science and scientists at their noble, courageous best.
I'm not qualified to judge the accuracy of the scientific detail, though the filmmakers convey a genuine respect for hard science instead of the cursory interest shown by most science fiction movies.
The idea that life evolved independently on Europa is perfectly plausible-and that makes what would be a fun and exciting film in any case all the more worth watching.
There is an earthbound integrity and deeply respectful approach to the science in Europa Report that imbues the story with a gritty intensity, lifting it beyond its B-movie framework.
As the action progresses, this quickly becomes Marinca's film, as she uses her body language as much as the script to suggest more subtle forms of angst.
There is something refreshing in the decidedly downbeat "Europa Report," a science-fiction film with the emphasis on science that doesn't cheat on the tension.
