Pilot movie for a subsequent six part mini series, 'Deep Space' (aka Space Force: Battlefront) has a lot to like even if it's a bit talky at times. Tension (mostly sexual between crew members) is palpable as the crew of a stricken moon base discover they're not alone, leading to conflict as scientists prioritise alien contact over human survival.
The bureaucratic meetings and frequent crew briefings become a little monotonous after a while, but there's some humour to be found in the sign off of Morgan's character as she reminds everyone to 'stay safe out there' as Michael Conrad would've said 'Hill Street Blues' style. It's a nice touch even if inadvertent.
Good sets, functional dialogue and some impressive exterior cinematography elevate what looks like a very low budget sci-fi proof of concept featuring a mix-bag of actors, some better than others - Collins playing the lesbian ace-pilot is probably the most effective followed by Busch as the cold, clinical scientist. And whilst the crew behave a lot more realistically than most movie astronauts, realism and tedium can be synonymous, and so despite the existential threat, 'Deep Space' is ultimately a little too melodramatic.
It also doesn't help that it ends abruptly, opening a segway to the mini-series which follows, which won't help if you watch the movie independently of the series. Nevertheless what there is in this compact 75 minute preview is watchable if a little light on action.
