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Post by Arya on May 25, 2007 5:16:14 GMT -5
Alright, so we all have our favorite characters in Sunshine. Have you ever thought about what your favorite character might represent? if you watched the movie closely, there's a lot of symbolism going on with the characters. Pinbacker is the stereotypical villain. His goals include slashing every member of the crew, sabotaging the mission and then later on a bit of sunbathing (yea, like he needs)........ Capa is the one who makes the decision to pay a visit with Icarus I. In other words, the character of Capa is a catalyst for future events to come. Mace is the voice of reason, not to mention the engineer and co-pilot of Icarus II (this is the reason why I prefer Mace to all the others). He's the good guy that nobody listens to and later everyone has to pay the price for the decision Capa made (no offence 2 any Capa fans out there). Trey is the guy who, sadly, makes a mistake in the movie. He's the kind of character who's brilliant yet can't live with the mistakes he makes. Cassie is....in my opinion....a character that has been a bit poorly developed. she's supposed to have a military background yet she breaks down into tears 2 or 3 times during the course of the movie. She is willing to sacrifice the mission in order to save the lives of the crew....not very realistic if you have a military background Korazon is the biologist who keeps everyone alive during the flight to the sun. she's one of the most important crew members because she is responsible for the "green" room, where enough O2 is made for the entire ship as well as food. Harvey is the impulsive second in command. when he's faced with a critical situation, he seems the find his life more significant than those of the other members of his crew. Kaneda is the original captain in the movie. Although we see him only for a short amount of time, he is the one that keeps all other characters in check and takes the initiative and would rather sacrifice himself for his crew. Searle is the doctor and psychiatrist. Initially, his role is minimal and he seems to have an obsession with the power of the sun (kinda reminded me of Pinbacker), however as the plot progresses, his true nature of self sacrifice is shown. One more thing...has anyone noticed that all the characters are mostly American, 1 Japanese and 2 Chinese.....no Russians...that's a bit odd b/c you'd expect 2 see a Russian in one of these sci-fi movies since they were the first in space....hmmm...well I suppose we can expect that in an all American sci-fi film. So, one last thing: tell us who's your fav. character and why'd you choose them. p.s. - what's up with the whole shift from science to religion in the end? ....another symbol for us 2 consider
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Post by Starry_MelC on May 25, 2007 12:10:35 GMT -5
This is a really hard question to answer.... Simple but hard to answer... I've been thinking about this question since I watched the movie and I'm trying not to be biased here (I'm a Michelle fan, in case you havent noticed).... It's hard to comment much without any spoilers... But I think I'd have to choose.... Searle. He's really cool and calm despite of "matters arising". And yea, he's a little way too obsessed with the Sun and everything but he's still sane... I love how he's the sort that observes people and matters before he make a comment or anything. For Trey, I think there's too little scenes for him as well as Kaneda, same goes for him. Harvey is usually misunderstood as being a coward or selfish (ok, so maybe he is a little but for the right reasons). Capa is lacking in self-confidence at times but yet his job is the most important. Cassie is quite emotional at some parts, but I like that about her. But I think amongst the crew, they *should* be, you know? I mean, they spent (if include training) around 2 years (give or take few months) together. If something happens to the crew, there's nothing wrong with being emotional. (The abortion might affect her character - despite the military background). Mace is apparently the one with the best ideas during the worst times. But, he's too (in my opinion) full of himself and gets frustrated easily. I love the Mapa fights but sometimes I just feel like rolling my eyes like Corrie did. Corazon (hehe) is calm at most times (aside when the incident happen at the Oxygen Garden)... She's witty. She thinks clearly, she's sure of the objective and she gets her job done. And I love how her face lights up whenever she saw her "babies".... So among the crew, I choose Searle. Coming close at 2nd would be Corrie... lol... But of course, I do wish there were more scenes about them... Can we just persuade Danny to make a prequel? I know he says he's never going back to sci-fi again, but still................
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Post by sunshinedna on May 26, 2007 12:56:27 GMT -5
My favourite character is Pinbacker. Always has been. His goal is far more complex than simply 'slashing up the crew' - he, like Capa, understands the ultimate fate of the Universe (and therefore mankind). Whereas that understanding frees Capa to engage with the beauty and awe of the Universe, Pinbacker just can't quite see the point in continuing... He can't quite get over the fact that, well, there is no point. If you see clearly that there is no "meaning", then you are faced with what is considered one of the greatest philosophical questions: do you commit suicide or not. Pinbacker had the fate of all mankind on his shoulders - he chose to give his existence "meaning" by delivering mankind to "God"... by making the suicide choice for us all. He's not my favourite character because I identify with his position - I'm much more Capa - I just think the issues his character brings up are the most important (and dangerous) issues facing humanity... So many- too many- people think that they have the right to choose *everyone's* future based on their own personal beliefs...
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Post by Amanda on May 26, 2007 14:02:08 GMT -5
Cassie is....in my opinion....a character that has been a bit poorly developed. she's supposed to have a military background yet she breaks down into tears 2 or 3 times during the course of the movie. She is willing to sacrifice the mission in order to save the lives of the crew....not very realistic if you have a military background I don't believe that. I'm not saying that you can't have a point or anything, but I don't think she's been poorly developed at all. I think she's having a really, really hard time dealing with the decision she had to make about her baby, and it's screwing around with her head in ways she doesn't even understand. She had her pregnancy terminated, so that's taking a life (I'm not going to get into any sort of debate or anything about abortion here, but for the sake of this thread, I'm leaving it simply put that way). Maybe the reason she's so wary to sacrifice human lives while on the mission is because she's already done it. She sacrificed the life of her child in order to go on the mission-- and it's messed with her. Maybe she's trying to make it up to herself and to her unborn baby. There's way too much going on with her psychologically, I'm certain, to be able to know it all in simply watching the film. I think after that many months, not much military training is going to be of use. Mace, one of the most military on the whole crew, let his emotions get the best of him, so why shouldn't Cassie, who probably made the biggest sacrifice of all of them in order to get onto the Icarus II in the first place? He's not my favourite character because I identify with his position - I'm much more Capa - I just think the issues his character brings up are the most important (and dangerous) issues facing humanity... So many- too many- people think that they have the right to choose *everyone's* future based on their own personal beliefs... That's why he's my favorite, too. His dilemma is the entire meaning of the film for me, and the entire meaning of human existence as a whole. He says it in the film-- I don't remember the exact quote-- but it's something to the effect of, who are we to decide to go against God's plan? Are we really arrogant enough to think that we can interfere with a divine plan? Humans are going to die off eventually anyway, so why would we interfere and try to prolong the inevitable? I think it's the same argument people go through every single day, only on a smaller scale (obviously).
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Post by chero on May 26, 2007 21:41:16 GMT -5
I think Pinbacker will affect everyone who watches Sunshine, whether it's because of his radical beliefs or (more obvious) physical mystery. Sure, I like to think Pinbacker is a favorite of mine, but so are the rest in their own ways. I do like some more than others though. Let's go down the list: -KANEDA: Although he didn't have much screentime compared to the rest (perhaps including Pinbacker??), he introduced a touching subject that lasted throughout the film - sacrifice. His role was essentially the father of the crew (*cough*Corazon was the mother*cough*) and I love him for that.
-CAPA: This is easily debatable, but I think he represented either humanity's weakness of greed or the weakness of fear. Would you adjust the course of the mission for another shield, not knowing if it's even operable? Like Capa said, it's a coin flip. Also, could fear have driven him to accept Mace's vote regarding the repair mission in the beginning? Irrational fear of being chastised in a situation where logic and companionship (NOT rivalry) are essential? Capa should never have went with Kaneda. He is much too valuable to the mission.
-CORAZON: In the world of fanfiction, she is a top favorite. However, her character in the film came off as a person who choose a side in the dilemma we call "Man vs Nature." Considering that she grieved more for the Oxygen Garden than for Captain Kaneda (with my fangirl tendencies pulled aside, I'm being honest...no, really I am), it seems like there is no balance between the two. I suppose that's just my silly fantasy...
-CASSIE: The whole morality thing with this character blew me away. The scene where they are voting made me more of a Cassie fan than before. Her conversation to Searle was phenomenal as well. The way that she brings emotion into the chaos keeps the situation feeling real and scary.
-MACE: His lesson is definitely redemption. At first, you would think that he signed up for the mission only to get his name in a textbook, but he turned around for the better! I love that about character subplots; sure someone could really foul things up, but they can change. And the road that leads them there is a very enjoyable journey.
-SEARLE: I have to agree with MelC on this one; Searle is a top favorite. I never thought he was crazy when I was watching the film, just curious. I can see no better end to him than what Sunshine offered. When he volunteered, I was happy. It wasn't because he was going to die, but because he was doing something special for the crew's survival. Unfortunately, this character made me lower my rating on Harvey.
-TREY: I like him simply because I can connect with him. I'm a perfectionist and sometimes I take things way too seriously (like a "Life or Death" situation). However, there is one lesson that must be learned - mistakes happen. We also can't dwell too much on the past as it can be self-destructive (literally!). Poor Trey...
-HARVEY: He is my least favorite out of the bunch, but still a favorite nonetheless (if that makes any sense). I admire his devotion to his wife and former life back home, but there comes a time when you must make a choice. Obviously, Harvey didn't plan so well when he signed up for this mission. It's a shame that the psychologists didn't predict this before it was too late. His character-defining actions in the end also begs the question, "Why did he come in the first place?" He is like a child, innocent and self-justifying. When reality strikes him, he matures into something ugly. I felt sorry for him.
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Post by Amanda on May 26, 2007 22:39:35 GMT -5
I don't know how I feel about Harvey. I think he's one of the most interesting characters of the bunch (which is a really hard thing to say since they're all really incredibly interesting in their own ways), but he was the one who started out the mission believing in God. At the end of the film Capa thinks he sees God-- he's changed his opinion, I guess-- but Harvey started out believing in God. I'm so curious about him and how he didn't suffer from Pinbacker-itis. How did he not come to the conclusion that Pinbacker did in that it wasn't man's right to interfere with God's plan? I think he was too truly terrified of death and of his beliefs, and I think it's a very interesting character arc.
OT, but Chero, your signature makes me LOL... Haha!
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Post by chero on May 27, 2007 9:33:16 GMT -5
OT, but Chero, your signature makes me LOL... Haha! I was going to place a credit to it, but I didn't feel it was right to...I don't know, it really belongs in your siggy. You caught me in a "London moment"! Ahh, the good times...
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Post by Amanda on May 27, 2007 10:02:37 GMT -5
Haha, no worries! It just cracks me up. Did we ever explain it to anyone? That was such a funny day.
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Post by Arya on May 28, 2007 8:55:33 GMT -5
I love it when there's so many opinions on a subject ;D What struck me most was when I read that sunshinedna's fav. character is Pinbacker. At first i thought "well who in their right mind would like that guy?" and now i believe i understand. Pinbacker is a crucial character and he does represent the part of each Sunshine characters' thoughts of "why continue?" or "what's the point if there's such a low chance of success". Sunshinedna, you've got a good point ... What i'm afraid of doing now is watching the movie again b/c i don't want 2 get tired of it (mostly coz i simply play the movie in my head over again lol).
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Post by Starry_MelC on May 29, 2007 6:30:20 GMT -5
I love it when there's so many opinions on a subject ;D That, my friend, is why I love Sunshine. It's not just a movie, whereby once you get out of the cinema you feel satisfied only to forget about it in another month or so. Despite watching it for 4 times (which should last me til the DVD is released), I had a completely different experience every time, which leaves me an unforgettable experience. I notice more things, I question different things etc etc etc. And it's a different experience for everyone as well. *That* is how a movie should be made for.
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Post by chero on May 29, 2007 9:16:40 GMT -5
Haha, no worries! It just cracks me up. Did we ever explain it to anyone? That was such a funny day. I don't think so, but it's still funny. ;D I totally agree, MelC!
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Post by nimue on Jun 26, 2007 23:26:39 GMT -5
Among all the characters, I can identify most with Capa. Quiet, sulking and finds peace in being alone. A natural loner.
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Post by neiru2012 on Aug 12, 2007 15:45:44 GMT -5
Well, I'm a Cillian fan, so I'll admit my bias right there. Still, I identify most with Capa as a character - in personality, actions, and what he chose to do with his life. I love that he's a quiet, serious, highly intelligent loner. I love how he became an entirely different person by the end, because shyness and hesitation and fear just had no meaning anymore. As they say, it's not bravery unless you're afraid, and I hope I have inside me the kind of courage that he does. As for what he chose to do with his life, it's something I'd want for myself. I'd want to be on the forefront of science, unraveling the mysteries of the universe, manipulating matter, saving suns, star systems. I look at the end I think to myself "WOW, this is who I want to be, this is how I want to die!"
Honorable mentions for favorite character would be Searle and Corazon. Searle because, if I was on that ship, I'd spend all my time staring at the sun too. Corazon because I wouldn't be on that ship to save just humanity... I am a lot more interested in saving the entire biosphere, and potential life yet undiscovered on Europa and Mars.
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Post by polina on Aug 25, 2007 6:25:54 GMT -5
MACE! If I was on the ship I would fall in love with him! Ideal men, ideal lover - strong-wiiling, impressive, reasonable.
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Post by raina on Apr 30, 2008 2:02:06 GMT -5
Hi Guys,My favorite character is pinbacker.Pinbacker was inspired by the character Sgt.He is a good actor.He won Broadcasting Press Guild Award in 2005.He is awesome actor.
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