Sunshine - 5/5
Not only is this movie gorgeous right out of the gate, it also has a top notch slow burn thriller pacing. The musical score is definitely pulling its weight here, bringing both the weight of grandeur and a beautiful framework for the story, all the while digging its spurs into the tension. This movie is solidly character-driven and never loses sight of the mission, but keeps practicality always in the forefront of the story. For solidly tense sci-fi that’s also fun to watch you can’t do much better than this.
Closest comparison: It’s like a cross between U-571, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and parts of The Fountain..
Setting: Sci-fi
Plot: Disaster
Tone: Thriller