Ad Astra (2019)
2019
PG-13
123 Minutes
The near future, a time when both hope and hardships drive humanity to look to the stars and beyond. While a mysterious phenomenon menaces to destroy life on planet Earth, astronaut Roy McBride und...
User Review
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I'm so glad Abominable is flopping (judging from the Friday estimates). It looked terrible from the beginning,so why even bother? Anyway…
Ad Astra can also be called Rad Astra,because yes,this movie is fucking gorgeous. Ironically Stellar,to say the least.
As someone who loves these kinds of movies (the Space genre,or the Experience Genre for my taste. This one breaks the barrier,though),this was probably my favourite kind of Space Movie. I love that the best Space Movies out there now are all about Daddy Issues,between this and Interstellar.
Don't let the Disney/Fox merger trailers fool you into thinking it's an Action Movie,because,while this is a Space Opera (and an Action Movie for 2 Seconds) in a way,this is (at its heart) a Character-driven film. Oh,and it's also slow,but should I even care? (we'll get there later)
I mean it as "this is a Character film",because we only follow him,his experiences in Space and his struggles in life,while he's travelling his ass over the stars,amidst a Future that I would perfectly picture in my head,and a big-ass " Save The Universe" plot.
Brad Pitt shows his all in this,as he plays a Character that I can kind of relate to (with lines like "I talked when I should've listened" or "They're using me") in terms of charisma,movements or even wide range of emotions. When he freaks out,he WILL freak the shit out. There's also a cute subplot about him always being committed to the next mission and how he should stop. Good stuff.
This is also handled by some great Production Design. Hoyte Van Hoytema (the Photographer of several Nolan movies) films this and it looked beautiful from the first second. Seriously,I hated myself for remembering this didn't come out in IMAX (but Yesterday sure did,because why not),because it could've benefited A LOT from some Premium Cinema experiences. Same for the Score,as it fuels up the narrative and makes it creepy or tension-full at times. This is the one where I feel like Lorne Balfe will get the Oscar. You know he's on his way NOW.
And the Art Direction is a standout here. Never has Space looked this beautiful and stunning since 2001 A Space Odyssey. Oh,and let's discuss the Action Sequence on the Moon. That is history right there,80 seconds or less,and I'm glad they pulled the heels hardcore and went full Fury Road,between Solar Panel crashes,Gravity throws,and Laser Guns (?!?),which appears to be a common theme in this movie,and I'm glad it is.
Although,had it not been for a Plot Convenience moment,then it would've been perfect. Yeah,it's emotional and all,but it's still Plot Convenience.
And the other flaws i'll mention aren't in relation the movie,so take them as rants about the average Audience.
Are we (no,not me. THEY) now acknowledging slow movies exist and are boring to the average consumer who goes to the movies? Disney/Fox merger trailers aside,go see Costumes Abbey or Abominable (next movie for me...God) if you're that bored with Space Shenanigans.
And if you want to go see this,please support this. I'm struggling to write a coherent review for it (and usually studios like 20th Fox are crowded for Franchise craze) but I'm telling you. It's failing to make its money back,so please. Go see this and stop supporting movies like "Oscar Nominee for Best Costumes" and "Animated Yeti". Ok,Universal rant over.
Space is scary and sad,but it rocks. Fuck yeah it ROCKS.1 member likes this review.
