Directed by James Gray
Written by James Gray & Ethan Gross
Cast: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler, Donald Sutherland, Jamie Kennedy, John Finn, Kimberly Elise, Bobby Nish, LisaGay Hamilton, John Ortiz, Greg Bryk, Loren Dean, Donnie Keshawarz, Natasha Lyonne
Soundtrack: Max Richter
I’m not going to write too much about this film because there really isn’t much I can say without spoiling it.
One thing I can say emphatically is that the visuals (cinematography, effects, production design, costumes, props) are fantastic. In an era where special effects aren’t all that special anymore, Ad Astra is a sight to behold, and that alone is worth the price of admission.
The biggest issue I have with the film is that so much of the story and the way it’s told is just copy/pasted (and I mean beat for beat) from another famous story which I saw recently (I won’t say which, other people unfortunately have already broadcast it, but those who know will know), and, sadly, that kept nagging at me.
There’s also a particular scene that breaks the bounds of believability, at least in a film that purports to be “the most realistic portrayal of space travel ever”. You could perhaps get away with it in Moonraker in 1979, but not today.
However, unlike First Man, which also had amazing visuals (and did a great job at highlighting the dangers of space travel), Ad Astra does ultimately have a point (as well as a different sort of tone than other recent space films), and doesn’t just feel aimless.
Believe me, I know how lukewarm this review sounds, but at the end of the day I am giving it a strong recommendation, because I did ultimately appreciate it and I think most others will, too.
Just maybe don’t expect “THE BEST SPACE MOVIE EVER.”
Rating: ★★★★☆