Movie Review: Ad Astra

Michael's Movie Grade: A+

An incredibly atmospheric and moving film. One of the year's best movies so far and as good as you can want from a science fiction film.

Anyone who wants Star Wars style action in their sci-fi movies might be disappointed by a film like this. This is a quiet, slow and contemplative film that requires and demands a lot of attention. However for someone who is into this type of film, this is as good as it gets. The story of this film is controlled by emotions rather than logic. Few space movies have captured the pure isolation of space than this film. This movie's sense of isolation is incredible. This movie's vision of space is so massive and awe inspiring. However as beautiful as this film looks, the look also gives a sense of pure emptiness and coldness. Space not only dwarfs our main character, but offers him little if anything warm and human. The other people in this movie offer him the same lack of warmth and humanity. Many act like cold machines simply doing their assigned tasks in their assigned way. Meanwhile what our main character is looking for may or may not be just as empty. He is looking for answers that may or may not even exists. This brings up questions of whether man truly alone in the universe or if there may be some purpose out there. This film gives no easy answers to either of those questions making the sense of isolation all the more powerful.

Director and co-writer (along with Ethan Gross) is especially daring to even attempt a film like this. The fact that he successeds so fantastically is an even more incredible feat. Meanwhile Brad Pitt gives one of the finest and most subtle performances of his entire career. He gives a pure sense of humanity to the role that helps endear this abstract art film to us on such a relatable level.  

Though this is certainly not a film for everybody, it is a powerful movie that had a really powerful impact on me.

-Michael J. Ruhland