I enjoyed this movie, but it hurt seeing earth getting hit by nuclear explosions and the end catastrophic images of that result as seen from Space. It’s a very scary reality or possibility that no one likes thinking about.

Reviewing the film for his Kermode and Mayo’s Take channel on YouTube, Mark Kermode summarised his critique thus:^[17]

It doesn’t come up with much more than its central theme, but it’s an enjoyable B movie in that it’s a simple set up, it’s convinincly [sic] played and directed with enough panache.

Derek Sante of KSNV wrote in his generally positive review: “This is an interesting thriller, though it has some plot problems. But it’s entertaining enough, so I’ll give it a B-.”^[18]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/I.S.S._(film)

NASA astronauts Kira Foster and Christian Campbell arrive at the International Space Station (ISS) and greet their colleagues: American Commander Gordon Barrett and Russian cosmonauts Weronika Vetrov and brothers Nicholai and Alexey Pulov. Despite the cultural and political differences, they get along well, with Gordon and Weronika having formed a romance. Kira views Earth from the space station for the first time with her coworkers, who explain the overview effect to her.

Later, she witnesses numerous nuclear explosions across the continental United States. Communications with the ground fail, but Gordon receives a coded message from the US government indicating that the Russian military has initiated a nuclear attack on the US and ordering him to take control of the ISS “by any means necessary.” He discusses the message with Kira and Christian; they suspect the Russians were given a similar order. They also find the station is orbiting too low and will fall to the Earth if aid does not arrive within 24 hours.

Nicholai tells the crew that a communications antenna is broken, requiring Gordon to go outside to fix it. While outside, he tells Kira to keep the others away from the windows to spare them from the sight of Earth’s surface in flames. Gordon untethers his space suit to reach the antenna, and Alexey sabotages Gordon’s communications with the ISS while Nicholai uses the station’s robotic arm to swat Gordon into space.

Enraged by Gordon’s murder, Weronika asks Kira – the only one she trusts – to depart in the Soyuz spacecraft with Alexey’s research, a cure for radiation sickness. Weronika explains that whichever government obtains it will determine who survives the nuclear war. Weronika creates a distraction by threatening Alexey and Nicholai with destroying the station. Kira searches the Russian lockers for the research, asking Christian’s help locating “node zero”. He says it does not exist, leading Kira to conclude Weronika lied. Kira and Christian find the cosmonauts in a tense standoff which ends with Christian striking Weronika in the back of the head, killing her.

The astronauts withdraw. Alexey refuses to kill the Americans, so Nicholai hunts for them alone while Kira and Christian hide. Alexey sees Gordon hanging onto a solar panel and uses the robotic arm to rescue him, then helps Kira evade Nicholai. A distraught Gordon becomes further agitated when he learns of Weronica’s death, arming himself. Nicholai finds them but is tackled by Gordon, who locks them in another module where they fight. The others frantically work to open the hatch, but find that Gordon and Nicholai have killed each other.

After the incident, Kira notices “NODE0” written over the door to the Japanese Experiment Module. She goes to confront Christian and finds a Soyuz spacesuit and the Russian research in his sleep pod. Meanwhile, Christian quietly sabotages the station’s life support system. Kira finds Christian and Alexey in the galley, and the Americans guardedly talk about the situation, then attempt to influence Alexey to take sides. Christian tries to attack, wounding Alexey, but Alexey and Kira work together to strangle Christian.

Kira treats Alexey’s wound and Alexey restores life support. Communications are restored, allowing the station to stabilize. Both governments request confirmation that the astronauts and cosmonauts have completed their respective missions to take control of the station. Not responding to their superiors, Kira and Alexey board the Soyuz spacecraft with the research and descend toward Earth. Alexey asks where they are going, and Kira responds “I don’t know”.

A Fictional Nightmare, A Real Threat

It’s understandable that “I.S.S.” was a difficult film to watch. The portrayal of Earth engulfed in flames and chaos is a chilling reminder of the destructive power humanity possesses. It’s a stark, fictional vision, but one that mirrors the very real threat of nuclear war.

The movie serves as a powerful, albeit fictional, warning. It’s a wake-up call to recognize the catastrophic consequences of such a conflict. However, it’s crucial to remember that while the scenes on screen are horrifying, they are not inevitable. Nuclear war is a choice, not a destiny.

The world has come a long way since the height of the Cold War. Diplomatic channels, international treaties, and a growing global awareness of the risks have helped to prevent such a catastrophe. It’s essential to support these efforts, to advocate for peace, and to demand that our leaders prioritize diplomacy over confrontation.

While “I.S.S.” offers a frightening glimpse into a possible future, it’s also a reminder of our collective power to shape a different reality. By understanding the devastating consequences of nuclear war, we can work together to ensure it remains a horrifying work of fiction, not a tragic reality.

Let’s use the fear and sadness inspired by such films as motivation to build a safer, more peaceful world.

A Plea for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World

Dear World Leaders,

The specter of nuclear annihilation continues to cast a long and ominous shadow over humanity. The destructive power of these weapons is unparalleled, capable of obliterating entire cities and inflicting wounds upon the Earth that may never heal.

Beyond the immediate devastation, the lingering effects of nuclear weapons are equally terrifying. Radioactive fallout contaminates land, water, and air, posing severe health risks to countless generations. The ecological and environmental consequences are immeasurable, disrupting delicate ecosystems and causing irreparable damage to our planet.

The very existence of nuclear weapons creates a climate of fear and instability. The threat of their use hangs over us like a sword of Damocles, hindering international cooperation and diverting precious resources away from addressing pressing global challenges such as poverty, disease, and climate change.

It is imperative that we collectively commit to a world free from nuclear weapons. This is not merely an idealistic aspiration but a matter of survival. By working together, we can dismantle these instruments of mass destruction and build a safer, more secure future for ourselves and generations to come.

Let us pledge to honor the memory of those who have suffered from the horrors of nuclear war. Let us strive for a world where peace, cooperation, and disarmament prevail.

Sincerely,

The Living Breathing James Brown

Author

Veteran

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