Ad Astra

I have just seen movie at the Venice film festival. A few quick thoughts -great cinematography(Hoyte has done it again) and acting from Brad and Tommy -there are a couple of interesting scenes that I did not really expect in the middle of the movie -sound editing top notch

It is a movie more for the critics and lovers of cinema art , and less for general public wanting some space sci-fi epic. But everyone will find somethig to enjoy in this film and I reccomend to see it !

Let me start off by saying that the movie's pacing is unusual (think of the pacing of Interstellar; constant progress), but unlike Interstellar, this movie's climax is not as strong- but that's not a bad thing.

The whole movie is about how Brad Pitt is calm on the outside, but inside he is a storm of feelings. This can be a metaphor for space itself- always quiet, but is very complex inside.

The end of the movie (without spoiling it) also works with that logic- there is no loud Inception horn, in fact, seemingly it's pretty relaxed, but you can still sense the tension and emotions going on.

Now that's what I call "show don't tell"

'Ad Astra' was a film I knew nothing about going in, and i'm glad I went in blind. It was visually gorgeous with nail biting set pieces, but the story hit me in just the right spot. It takes a good script for you to hear voice over in lieu of dialogue and not feel like you're being cheated, and this script was, in my mind, excellent. It's a vibe-y film that spends a lot of time in silence, and if you're like me you'll really appreciate the time it takes to develop the emotional and visual severity. On its surface it's a space epic, but in its heart it will speak to victims of depression, as well as anyone who's ever spent years feeling like they didn't belong. It takes a journey greater than most are wiling to take to find your deepest demons and confront them. Absolutely loved it.

James Gray both wrote (with Ethan Gross) and directed this psychological science fiction story that has polarized viewers: while many love the film, as many loath it - and for various reasons that can be read as private opinions. In short, the story relates one Astronaut Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) who undertakes a mission across an unforgiving solar system to uncover the truth about his missing father Colonel Clifford Mc Bride (Tommy Lee Jones) and his doomed expedition that now, 30 years later, threatens the universe and the survival of earth. In the treacherous opening Roy falls from an incredibly tall space tower all the while maintaining normal vital signs and mental stability - traits that accompany him through the film's adventure until the ending. Along the way he encounters older astronaut Thomas Pruitt (Donald Sutherland) and a few other persons both of the astronaut bent and those living on other planets - very small parts in this essentially one man film.

The focal point of the film is the father/son relationship altered by space and time and that allows the story to rise above routine sci-fi elements. Brad Pitt is excellent, if a bit monochromatic, and the technical, visual, and graphic elements of the production are exceptional as is the cinematography. This is a fine example of intelligent science fiction that retains nods of insight into the mind states of those who explore space as well as the quite possible future of space exploration with the accompanying benefits and potential problems. A bit too long and in need of editing, AD ASTRA is still a worthwhile evening's entertainment.

I like sci fi as a genre because of the ideas. There doesn't need to be shocks, suspense even. But there should be excitement, often borne of seeing a clever idea germinate, take root and blossom...ideally into a dark flower. Ad Astra has one narrative thread, a couple of ideas, but nothing beyond that. It's an extemely rushed film...2 billion miles in 2 hours. It's rushed and dull though...not a good combination. The dramatic mkments are crow-barred in...the moon sequence...the Norwegian space ship. Neither are there to move narrative or charchter forwrd though, and as such feel terribly contrived. And as for this film's Colonel Kurtz...don't bother. I kinda wish i hadn't.