Continuing our coverage of Oscar-nominated films, guest writer Kasia has a look at Ad Astra, nominated for Best Sound Mixing.
Astronaut Roy McBride travels to the outer edges of the solar system to find his missing father and unravel a mystery that threatens the survival of our planet. His journey will uncover secrets that challenge the nature of human existence and our place in the cosmos.
It’s a thriller/ sci-fi movie (a space triller I would say) directed by James Gray, starring Brad Pitt in a lead role with supporting cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler and Donald Sutherland.
After watching First Man not that long ago and absolutely loving it, I got very enthusiastic about Ad Astra with Brad Pitt. I was expecting to love this movie because I tend to enjoy movies about space. And although some of the visuals in this movie are jaw-dropping – and also very artistic with how they played with surroundings and lighting – I was so unbelievably bored watching this movie, I can’t even explain.
Do I love Brad Pitt? – yes! Does he fit perfectly to play an astronaut and looks exquisite in a uniform and and spacesuit? – yes! But the story and how it was told killed it for me.
First of all there is a lot of voice over – I’m not a fan of that type of storytelling unless it’s a beginning of LOTR or in general an introduction, or ending. Here, unfortunately, it happens throughout the whole movie. I get it, Major McBride is a very closed person so he basically just talks to himself = the voice over. Sorry, I’m not buying this.
I think they also wanted to have this philosophical feel to the movie, to make people wonder about where are we going, do what we do matter, are we alone in the space etc. I guess it might have worked for some people, but it was making me fall asleep. And under no circumstances could I connect with our main character or his father, in fact. Even though there was quite a few unexpected action situations happening – even a chase on the moon with space pirates – pacing of the movie was very slow. It’s like this movie was made to make you fall asleep or meditate.
It’s another movie that I was impressed with cinematography and special effects, but since story and characters didn’t work for me at all I did not enjoy this movie and would not recommend it.
Find more of Kasia’s reviews on instagram at great_or_not_movie_reviews.