Ad Astra. James Gray, director. Here’s a summary of my review of this clunker: there’s so much wrong here! If you want more info, read on.

First, there’s the confusing, illogical, and boring plot. The idea is that Brad Pitt’s character had daddy problems and wants to find his father and ask him why daddy left mommy and young’un back on Earth to go to the far reaches of the solar system. What daddy tells his son isn’t at all surprising, but I would have told him, “What the hell is the matter with you?”

Second, scientific errors abound. Didn’t they hire some scientific consultants? Some specifics: Antimatter experiments out in space? Probably not a good idea to do them on Earth, but the tokamak researchers would probably be interested in how to contain them. Pirates on the moon’s far side? The explanation for that is lame, but so is the whole movie…scientifically speaking. Experiments on animals in space beyond Mars? Zero explanation for that. They’re already experimenting with humans in zero grav, after all. Where’s PETA when you need them? Using a metal shield to get through Neptune’s rings? Maybe the Pentagon doesn’t need all those tanks, just crap ripped off a Space X rocket.

Third, they translate the movie title for those who don’t know Latin, but the movie has nothing to do with going to the stars. Everything takes place in the solar system. Moreover, that very same intro says “In the near future…”. With several bases on Luna and Mars where spaceships launched from Mars toward the outer reaches of the solar system, that future isn’t near. But I guess it all depends on what “near” means to the screenwriters.

Fourth, how can Brad Pitt’s character fool the psychs? He’s nuts. Maybe the screenwriters (a team which includes the director) want to prove AI is evil a la Kubric’s HAL? If so, that point is lost, and, of course, wrong.

Fifth, Space Com takes over as the evil corporation. Maybe the point here is a dig at the president’s new initiative, which hasn’t launched yet (pardon the pun). And it’s not quite clear why they’re evil. And, if they are, why does the Pitt character do their bidding?

Sixth, did I already say slow and boring? The acting doesn’t help. They shouldn’t have chosen Pitt or Jones. They would have done better with newcomers because neither protagonist can save this movie with their famous names. This movie is yet another case of critics lauding a clunker and audiences having more common sense than the critics…and screenwriters. Definitely not worth the money. If you thought Gravity was boring, you have to see how boring this one is. Any ahs for special effects (and you will have many–they basically got Neptune’s rings right) reduce to nothing if you take into account the bad science and slo-mo boredom that gives you plenty of opportunities to relieve yourself.

I fortunately had an immediate respite. After the movie I came home and watched Jeremy Irons discuss Shakespeare’s Henry plays on PBS’s “Shakespeare Uncovered.” Now there are three great dramas! Drove Ad Astra right out of my mind…with the help of some Jameson as I toasted Willy.

***

Comments are always welcome!

More than Human: The Mensa Contagion. In a twist on the alien invasion or apocalyptic contagions, an ET virus infects Earth and creates Homo sapiens 2.0 and a new society for them full of new vigor and desires for adventure. The new humans colonize Mars and find the ET colony ship in an orbit around Saturn. One reviewer said of this epic sci-fi novel:  “More than Human kept me turning pages after I should have put the book down…. I found the characters well developed and the plot fresh. I was reminded at times of Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars trilogy.”—Debra Miller, in her Amazon review. Available in ebook format at Amazon and Smashwords and the latter’s affiliated retailers (iBooks, B&N, Kobo, etc.) and lenders (Overdrive, etc.)

Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!

 

 

This entry was posted on Friday, October 4th, 2019 at 3:30 am and is filed under Movie Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.