Vers les étoiles

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 !

Ad Astra had its moments but it was underwhelming and a bit light on hard science. The low/no gravity seemed to be poorly and inconsistently portrayed. It definitely seemed like it was trying to be more meaningful and worthy than I think it was. And it had typical tropes that seemed lazy and unnecessary. I enjoyed it enough and the sets, costumes and props were quite wonderful of course but it was ultimately quite forgettable and nonsensical.I'm sure it was trying to say something about the mental journey of the main character rather than his space-faring one, but I don't know what it was. Could also be called "A series of unfortunate space-related events".

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"

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.

I watched this at the end of a hectic work week, and it was a relaxing thing to watch. I appreciated the slow pace and sunk into it.

Cool cinematics too, great scenery etc

I know people are moaning about science anomalies but I didn't care 1 jot. Not really the point of the film.

I do get peoples point of the Donald sutherland character, not sure what he was about/point of him etc

But overall a lot better than the formulaic screech, bang, shoot, kill type films out there these days...

But I'm glad I gave it a go