Watch Mock Up on Mu

The 2008 movie, Mock Up on Mu, directed by Craig Baldwin, is a visually stunning and complex sci-fi film that tells the story of a fictionalized version of the 1960s space race. Set in a psychedelic version of the Cold War era, the film pushes the limits of reality and fiction to create a mind-bending experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

The movie is divided into three parts, each with its own distinct narrative and style. The first part focuses on the character of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, who is portrayed as a spy working for the US government on a top-secret project to use occult practices to establish a base on the moon. This section of the film draws on real-life events and conspiracy theories surrounding Hubbard's involvement with the military, and sets the tone for the rest of the movie.

The second part of the film takes on a more surreal tone, playing with the idea of alternate universes and parallel realities. It introduces the character of Jack Parsons, a real-life rocket scientist and member of the Aleister Crowley's Thelema cult. In the film, Parsons is working with Hubbard to create a portal to other dimensions, a project that ultimately leads to his own demise. This section of the film is visually stunning, with its use of animation, special effects, and dream-like sequences.

The final part of the movie brings together the disparate threads of the narrative to create a mind-bending climax that is both satisfying and perplexing. It involves a group of rebels fighting against a totalitarian state ruled by "The Man" (played by Baldwin himself), who uses mind control and propaganda to keep the population in check. It is in this segment of the film that the themes of the movie come together, with its emphasis on freedom of thought, resistance to authority, and the power of the imagination.

Throughout the film, the visuals are consistently inventive and memorable, with a mix of live-action and animation that creates a sense of otherworldliness. The soundtrack, composed by Thollem McDonas, is equally as impressive, with its use of experimental electronic music that complements the visuals perfectly.

The performances in the film are solid, with Stoney Burke, Jeri Lynn Cohen, and David Cox all delivering strong performances. Burke, in particular, stands out as L. Ron Hubbard, creating a convincing portrayal of a man who is both charismatic and menacing.

Overall, Mock Up on Mu is an ambitious and visually stunning film that tackles weighty themes with a sense of humor and irreverence. Its mix of fact and fiction creates a unique world that is both familiar and strange, and its emphasis on the power of the imagination ensures that it will linger in the memory long after the credits have rolled.