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.

This film has nothing to say and there is no reason to exist. It's sort of a romcom but it's not very romantic. It's sort of a comedy but not really. It's kind of about a conspiracy theory but only slightly and even then not really. It pulls its punches, doesn't know what it is, and doesn't ultimately have any point to it. It's more amusing than actually funny. It has 2 characters that are meant to fall in love but you won't feel it. It feels like someone told ChatGPT to "make a generic movie" and it shoved all the ingredients together.

I got bored watching it. It's fun enough, it passes the time, but I also felt like I wanted to avoid watching films ever again if this is what they are going to be like.

This movie is NOT generic. At all. If the premise of faking the mood landing is not in this movie than yes it's a pretty generic rom com but because that's the entire movie I don't get how this is generic.

If you have a beating heart and sense of humor this movie will charm you. ScarJo is throwing 100 mph in every scene. She's outstanding. This is a signature performance in her catalog and really fleshes out what makes her 1 of 1. One down side is that Channing Tatum is very good in the movie but he's not on her level and I don't think anyone would argue that. Her scenes with Jim Rash (sneaky MVP) are all time great. They have some magic I hope they do more work together. I've always been found of his performance in Community and his screen play The Way Way Back.

The other surprise for me was how great Woody and ScarJo are together. That was the secret sauce of the movie. Not just their acting chemistry but the idea of a Nixon enforcer and fixer battling with this con artist type advertising saleswoman is beautiful stuff. It's really breathtaking to witness.

The other part of this movie that provides some fun for all ages is the stuff with the cat in the movie. This is such a cute and realistic use of a cat who just lingers around an area getting in the way just in the smallest way.

7.8/10 (Definitely Recommend)

"Fly Me to the Moon" is a romanticized account of the Apollo 11 moon mission, and how they put a man in space. Despite the film's storytelling being primarily focused on a launch director (Tatum) and a marketing maven (Johansson), it truly pulls you into the overall story.

Scarlett Johansson and Woody Harrelson fit well into the story, but even after watching the film I'm still iffy about Channing Tatum's performance. For me he just seemed like a modern day guy who pops up in the 1960s and wears increasingly cliche "Star Trek" shirts especially when he wore yellow. Despite that that slightly ill feeling the overall chemistry of the cast was great. Tatum was really the only one who felt "out".

The cinematography along with the score and sets made it feel like the 1960s, but with a clean look. The combination of both archival footage and the modern film gave you the feeling that you were experiencing the Apollo 11 launch for the first time in your life. My heart was racing with every aspect despite the full knowledge that crew went up, stepped on the moon, and returned.

This film is definitely date night worthy as it's very much focused on the relationship between the two aforementioned work titles of Scar Jo and Channing Tatum, but it still meshes well with a historical aspect. The film also has rewatch-ability as I would watch it again.

Overall, there is a good amount to like about the film. The characters, the setting, and the editing are my top three. Definitely worthy of seeing at least once, and as stated it does make for a good date night movie too.

That's it for now. Thanks for taking time to read my review. Happy watching and enjoy the show!

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.