Space Trucker Bruce

Space Trucker Bruce is a unique independent sci-fi comedy movie that was released in 2014. Directed by Anton Doiron, the film stars Karl Sears in the titular role of Bruce, Anton Doiron himself as Max, and also features Amelia Jenkins.

The movie is set in a future where human civilization has advanced technologically to the point where interplanetary shipping has become a standard and a routine profession. Viewers immediately get immersed in a world where transporting goods from one planet to another is as common as driving a truck across the country in our time. The main character, Bruce, is a space trucker who finds his mundane routine disrupted when he takes on a new co-worker, Max.

The central character, Bruce, is an everyman, musing on life's oddities and idiosyncrasies in a universe that has more to offer than just different planets and their goods. His way of life circles around his spaceship. His world comprises his routine tasks of shipping goods and vegetables across the space which he grows using hydroponics and, his robotic chicken, which is his only other companion. Karl Sears portrays this character with a certain eccentric charm, making Bruce relatable and entertaining.

Max, portrayed by Anton Doiron, is a newbie to the space trucking industry. Full of enthusiasm and high expectations about space travel, Max hopes to have an adventurous life. The mismatched pair partakes in deep and sometimes absurdly humorous conversations, often leaning towards existentialism, providing a philosophical touch to the comedic screenplay.

Amelia Jenkins plays a third character that appears mysteriously only in Bruce’s dreams, adding intrigue to the narrative. The nature and purpose of her character are left for viewers to interpret, providing fresh layers of complexity and mystery to the plotline.

Space Trucker Bruce lays out a microcosm of space life with its setting confined to Bruce's freighter ship. The film successfully combines low-budget production constraints with creative world-building and characterization to construct this compelling, off-world narrative. The unique design of the spaceship and ingenious use of special effects add a quirky charm to the film. The movie expands on the use of limited space, creating a visual metaphor for the expansive, uncharted outer-space that lies beyond the trucker's route.

Despite being an independent film, the director has managed to create engaging visual effects that capture the beauty and mystery of the cosmos, along with the stark reality of space travel. The lovely shots of vast, starlit space provide a serene backdrop to the odd, humorous events taking place inside the spaceship.

The humor in Space Trucker Bruce is mostly subtle. It dwells on the comedy of the mundane, eliciting humor from routine tasks and random thoughts rather than from slapstick comedy or gags. From replicators producing any drink imaginable to oddball discussions about the mysteries of the universe, there's plenty to chuckle about in this entertaining film.

Furthermore, the movie cleverly combines drama, mystery, humor, and a slice of sci-fi action in its narrative. It successfully portrays the isolation and enormity of space, as well as the surprising way it mirrors the wide range of human experience and emotions. Even though it is set in the vast expanse of space, the central story remains highly focused on character development, leading to a thrilling climax that leaves the viewers reflective of their own life's journey.

On the whole, Space Trucker Bruce is a comedic journey into a future not often portrayed in mainstream sci-fi cinema. It offers a unique and quirky take on space exploration, interlaced with philosophical musings, a sense of adventure, and a charming dose of humor. The film is an enjoyable journey that reminds us that no matter how advanced we may become as a species, the simplest things can always bring us joy and wonder. The movie is a delightful romp into a future whose vision is both down-to-earth and deeply - or should that be 'galactically?' - humorous.