Astro Loco

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.

I wasn't really sure what to expect when diving into this Indie gem! It's very witty and the humor works quite well. It is clearly a lower-budget indie, but the that indie heart shines through in every detailed element of this film. Definitely worth you the watch!

I watch a lot of B-movies, from old 50s classics to modern low budget sleaze. This one is pretty good considering the obviously micro-budget. I was surprised a few times, by the plot. It has a different feel to many other low budget movies, I felt like I was watching something I hadn't seen before.

Astro Loco knows it is low budget sci-fi and plays on it - with some cool, cheap effects, props and costumes. This made me giggle a few times.

Definitely a film to watch late at night with a few friends, and a few beers.

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.

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.