Contexts:

A Reaction on Mellies' A Trip to the Moon

Contexts change how we view things. Without enough context, understanding is almost unattainable.

Locating my thinking in the 1900 in France, I would consider the film 'A Trip to the Moon' to be a pioneer in its field. A decade after the invention of motion camera, the film recorded milestones in visual effects and cinematography. People as this time would be amazed to see an our of this world setting. It also showed the concept of aliens or extra-terrestrial beings.

However, I think that its main purpose is to entertain.  It is mainly focused on humorous acts, seen through how the actors played their roles and interact with each other. The overall projection of the film is light and bubbly; it did not aim to inform and persuade. Although I am not sure if the people that time are already properly educated of the moon, I think scenes at the moon were not realistic. The physical characteristics of the moon were considered; however, gravitation could have been considered also so that it could be more realistic. Still, this might be caused by technical constraints.

Overall, it was a good film at that time. But now, as society tremendously developed with higher standards and film makers make reality and the impossible meet, 'A trip to the Moon' would be considered primitive. The only thing that makes this movie still significant is that it was a pioneer in the field of science-fiction.

- 2009-50781