Astro Loco

When I read the synopsis for the 2021 sci-fi comedy "Astro Loco", I have to say that it actually sounded like this movie might actually be fun enough to watch. Had I heard about writer and director Aaron McJames' 2021 sci-fi comedy prior to watching it? No. Still, I opted to watch it, believing in given a movie a fair chance.

And let me just be the first to say, don't venture here. Especially not if you value a movie with a properly written script. You know, the type that contains a properly entertaining storyline. Or the type that contains well-written characters with lots of nuances and layers. Or the type of movie with riveting dialogue that allows you to submerge deep into the setting of the movie. Or the type of movie with acting performances that just wins you over time and time again.

All of those are not present here. Yup, you will not find any of those in "Astro Loco". Nay. Instead you will be in for an amazingly boring and monotonous storyline that is driven with the narrative of a withered leaf in a weak wind. Writer and director Aaron McJames swung and missed hard here, because "Astro Loco" offers nothing worthwhile, interesting or entertaining with this 2021 movie.

The acting performances in "Astro Loco" were every bit as wooden, rigid, unnuanced and stale as the storyline was. So I suppose, in a way, that the two actually match and compliment one another.

Visually then "Astro Loco" wasn't all that bad. Sure, this was a low budget and low key movie, no doubt about it. But honestly speaking, I have seen worse eyesores in the sci-fi genre. So at least "Astro Loco" has that aspect working in favor of it.

As for "Astro Loco" being a comedy. Well, that is stretching it to the point where it just doesn't hold up anymore. I didn't even laugh a single time throughout the course of this movie. Nor did I even manage to smirk or smile from what transpired on the screen. So writer and director Aaron McJames didn't hit a homerun here.

My rating of "Astro Loco" lands on a more than generous two out of ten stars.

What sets Astro Loco apart is that it is hard to pin down. It's a thoroughly independent lo-fi DIY sci-fi comedy shot on a shoe-string budget with shades of ALIEN, Dark Star, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Red Dwarf.

Despite it's B-movie trappings and constraints it ends up separating itself from other similar films due to its quirky, off-beat nature, blended together with surprisingly poignant and at times profound ideas.

The well written and funny characters at the core of the film and the "Rednecks in Space" vibe throughout (including a great soundtrack by Mojo Nixon) only add to Astro Loco's charm and uniqueness.

A very enjoyable Australian produced indie film that you should check out, especially if you're looking to make your own films.

This film has all the hallmarks of a future cult classic. The acting is not at all bad, the sets are relatively good for a movie with such an infinitely minute budget, the humour is great and the entire plot is one step to the left of box of frogs mad bonkers. What's not to love?

If you think you're going to be watching a movie with the effects of the latest Star Trek, the budget of Guardians of The Galaxy and the plot complexity of a John le Carré novel, you're in for a rude awakening. But if you love completely independent movies with wit, originality and a dose of mad cap Dark Staresque plot lines, you're in for a genuine treat.

Enjoy................. or not.

Astro Loco is fun indie sci-fi film that likes to revel in paranoia and the bizarre. The sci fi genre is one of my favorites and I'm always impressed at what indie films can do in a genre that seems, on the surface, to require a massive budget. But what Astro Loco and others like it do, is show that sometimes talented and hustling indie filmmakers can make a dollar really stretch far (and can have some really convincing fx shots in space), and that they often can bring a bit more creativity to more formulaic Hollywood-fare. If you can appreciate indie sci fi films like me, and you're interested in a modern take on a space crew slowly growing mad, then check out Astro Loco.

It's a chill comedy with a unique backdrop. You can definitely see the indie in this film but it still delivers a few chuckles. The dialogues are very interesting and fit each character adequately. It's one of these movies you don't know if it's really good or really bad, but i see myself watching this again.