Watch Apollo 18

In the year of 1974, NASA launched its last mission to the moon - Apollo 18, with the objective of conducting scientific experiments on lunar soil and recovering valuable resources from there. However, what happened on that mission was not officially reported, and the footage that the three astronauts carried with them was discarded and classified top-secret.

In the movie Apollo 18, we get to witness the events that took place on that forgotten mission in a found-footage style. The movie starts with the introduction of the three astronauts - Commander Nathan Walker (Lloyd Owen), Lieutenant Colonel John Grey (Ryan Robbins), and Captain Benjamin Anderson (Warren Christie), who are preparing for their journey to the moon. They undergo various simulations and training, and we can observe the camaraderie and banter they share. The movie then fast-forwards to the point where they land on the moon and commence their mission.

As the astronauts start digging up the lunar soil and setting up equipment, strange occurrences begin to happen. They hear peculiar sounds, detector alarms go off, and the mysterious disappearance of two of their cameras raises their suspicions. Their radio and communication system also malfunction, leaving them with no contact with the mission control or Earth. Things escalate rapidly as they uncover an abandoned Soviet lunar lander and the dead cosmonaut remains. With no immediate explanation, they wonder what has happened and if there's someone, or something, else there with them.

The tension among the crew intensifies as they find unexplainable anomalies and a series of footprints leading to the Soviet lander. Though they strive to complete their mission and return home safely, it's clear that they are not alone up there. The relentless unease and suspicion that surround the crew as they face the unknown danger seep through to the audience. The movie does an excellent job of maintaining the suspense and anxiety levels high throughout.

Without revealing the story's pivotal twist, the movie takes a plunge into the macabre and unsettling revelations that the astronauts uncover. It's apparent that Apollo 18 is not your run-of-the-mill mission to the moon movie. The haunting atmosphere and the grim reality that unfolds will surely give you goosebumps. The film skilfully plays on the fear of the unknown and the claustrophobia of being in space, all while presenting an intricate puzzle to solve.

The film's main strength lies in its performances. Warren Christie plays the action-hero as Captain Anderson, and Ryan Robbins elevates the tension with his performance as Lieutenant Grey. Lloyd Owen's portrayal of the weathered Commander Walker is understated yet affecting as he tries to keep his team together and navigate through the harrowing situation they're in. The cast impressively pulls off the emotional range from determination to fear and desperation while performing in the quasi-documentary style of found footage.

The movie was produced with a limited budget, which raises concerns regarding the visual effects. Though the film has a few scenes that could have been improved in terms of CGI, the cinematography by Josep Juldu carries the weight of the movie. Not only does it keep the visual experience engaging, but it also efficiently depicts the lunar environment and conveys the emotions the astronauts are going through.

In conclusion, Apollo 18 is a gripping sci-fi thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. Though the found-footage style of filmmaking may seem old-hat to some people, the movie's well-executed premise and strong performances make it worth a watch. The film effectively makes you feel as if you were experiencing the journey to the moon and in that regard, it entertains the viewer. The movie is a must-watch for any fan of space horror or mystery, and it's worth sticking around for the twist ending that will leave you with questions to answer.

Apollo 18 is a 2011 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2 and a MetaScore of 24.