To the Moon

We can all learn something new about one of history's most well know events, the Apollo 11 rocket launch and moon landing through a different lens. Witness the favorable effects on public perception and governmental fund allocations achieved by marketing and Public Relations tactics bringing much-needed support to the mission. This is how many of today's well-known brands (such as Omega watches) got their recognition off the ground and virtually launched into the stratosphere. The pacing never felt like watching paint dry, and the acting of Channing Tatum and Scarlett Johansson was refreshing to follow.

I dithered over whether to watch this but we went for it and it was an enjoyable couple of hours in the cinema. There's no comparison between the two leads; Johanson is engaging and funny. Tatum is surely just a Thunderbird puppet both in looks and acting. Harrelson adds his own typically unique character to the role he plays. It was hilarious reading some reviewers complaining of the lack of historical accuracy. That's like complaining that Airplane doesn't accurately reflect what happens to an aircraft in emergency. The plot is described elsewhere and whilst it's a bit daft, I'm sure some people will take it a bit too seriously but go, watch it and enjoy an easy couple of hours.

Fly Me to the Moon is a lovely throwback to the kind of films that are so rarely seen these days. Even though a lot of the film revolves around filming a fake version of the Moon landing this clearly loves Nasa and their achievements. It's a fun romantic comedy that moves between all the drama, comedy, and romance in a way that can sustain a run time that's slightly overly long.

Scarlett Johansson & Channing Tatum are a surprisingly strong pairing. Even when they're at odds or have completely fallen out, their chemistry is strong enough to make you root for them to end up together like they inevitably will and they're both given a good amount of depth to work with. Woody Harrelson uses his easygoing charm to be slightly sinister here and Jim Rash is very funny in a very broad fashion.

Greg Berlanti's direction has a nice amount of energy for the most part. There's plenty of split screen and the period setting gives it a lot more life in the visuals than most streaming films. It's just the Moon landing sequence itself that needed greater showmanship to match the reverence with which it's celebrated. Daniel Pemberton's score has a warmth to it that keeps proceedings as tonally on point as possible.

So it was staged? Fly Me To The Moon is a sharp, stylish romantic comedy set against the high-stakes backdrop of NASA's historic Apollo 11 moon landing. Brought in to fix NASA's public image, sparks fly in all directions as marketing maven Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson) wreaks havoc on launch director Cole Davis's (Channing Tatum) already difficult task. When the White House deems the mission too important to fail, the countdown truly begins.

"Fly Me to the Moon" offers a fresh take on the Apollo 11 mission by focusing on its marketing aspect, a unique angle that I found quite intriguing. The film's fast pace kept me engaged throughout, which was a pleasant surprise. The cast delivered strong performances, with Scarlett Johansson standing out as incredibly witty and charming. While Channing Tatum's performance was solid, his character felt one-dimensional, making it hard to connect with him. The movie excels as a comedy, featuring well-crafted jokes and scenarios that the talented cast brings to life. Additionally, the unique choice of music added to the overall enjoyment of the film. The blend of historical context with a modern twist on marketing strategies was both educational and entertaining. Overall, "Fly Me to the Moon" is a must-watch for anyone looking for a good laugh and a new perspective on a well-known historical event.

Score:7.5/10.

"Fly Me to the Moon" is a surprisingly delightful romantic comedy that exceeds the typical expectations of the genre. It is quite difficult to find romantic comedies that score more than 7 out of 10, but this film stands out due to its high-quality production, well-crafted script, and, above all, the excellent performances by the cast. I was particularly impressed with Scarlett's performance; as always, she delivers a remarkable and nuanced portrayal.

The film does not advertise itself as being based on a true story, but while watching, you can't help but wonder if there's some grain of truth behind the hilarious and touching situations it presents. The way the plot unfolds makes you reflect on the complexities of lathe space race and Cold War , keeping you engaged from start to finish.

Overall, "Fly Me to the Moon" is a pleasant surprise in the realm of romantic comedies, offering the perfect blend of humor, emotion, and strong performances. It is definitely worth watching, especially for those looking for something more substantial than the typical genre clichés.