IMDb RATING
7.7/10
5.2K
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The film follows Opportunity, the Mars Exploration Rover affectionately dubbed Oppy by her creators and scientists at NASA. Oppy was originally expected to live for only 90 days but she ulti... Read allThe film follows Opportunity, the Mars Exploration Rover affectionately dubbed Oppy by her creators and scientists at NASA. Oppy was originally expected to live for only 90 days but she ultimately explored Mars for nearly 15 years.The film follows Opportunity, the Mars Exploration Rover affectionately dubbed Oppy by her creators and scientists at NASA. Oppy was originally expected to live for only 90 days but she ultimately explored Mars for nearly 15 years.
- Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
- 22 wins & 36 nominations total
Stephen Colbert
- Self
- (archive footage)
Jon Stewart
- Self
- (archive footage)
David Letterman
- Self
- (archive footage)
LeVar Burton
- Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
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Summary
Reviewers say 'Good Night Oppy' is a heartwarming documentary celebrating the Mars rover Opportunity's journey, emphasizing human perseverance and innovation. It is lauded for stunning visuals and compelling storytelling but criticized for anthropomorphizing the rovers and lacking scientific depth. Some find the reliance on CGI and emotional narratives detracts from technical details, yet many appreciate it as a touching tribute to exploration, making it a must-watch for space enthusiasts.
Featured reviews
What a well told story about the rover program on Mars and the people who made it happen. Just enough science to satisfy those who like such details. Always a supporter and fan of space exploration this added to all the photos that have been published from these missions. The way Spirit and Opportunity exceeded their expected lives and the bond so many had with these high tech bucket of bolts and wires was fun to watch. It is the visionary people who advance human kind. A diverse team was a pleasure to see. The man from Ghana impressed me in how he saw and interpreted various aspects. This is the true "To infinity and beyond" story.
I have given this documentary a 9 - i have not yet read other reviews but I will after this.
I really enjoyed this original/actual and compelling story of these two Mara Rovers built to last 90 days but fed back info for up to 15 years.
Its daft perhaps to think anyone could be emotionally attached to an inanimate object made by man - but you know what? They weren't inanimate at all - they really were the children of their creators and the emotion the team back on earth had for them was also felt by me - a simple viewer in UK.
The comparisons made between these machines and people made the real life connection between man and machine seem very very real (and it was!)
Excellent - thank you.
I really enjoyed this original/actual and compelling story of these two Mara Rovers built to last 90 days but fed back info for up to 15 years.
Its daft perhaps to think anyone could be emotionally attached to an inanimate object made by man - but you know what? They weren't inanimate at all - they really were the children of their creators and the emotion the team back on earth had for them was also felt by me - a simple viewer in UK.
The comparisons made between these machines and people made the real life connection between man and machine seem very very real (and it was!)
Excellent - thank you.
How does one make a documentary about two scientific wonders that is relatable , inspiring, heartfelt and educational at the same time? Well the producers tried and achieved this with flying colours. I watched this with my 11 year old space mad son and we both shed happy tears several times. An unbeleievable journey spanning 15 years which is so much more than just the machines themselves. It represents everything I love about NASA and the spirit of curiosity and discovery in human beings. I had no idea what it takes to launch such missions and I am so mush wiser after watching this. Surprised at the negativity on here - if people expect an unrelatable science lecture through this documentary - then they should get a hint from the loving title that this isn't what this documentary is about at all. A fantastic watch over the Christmas period which will leave you feeling all warm and inspired and restore your faith in the good things human beings stand for (amidst the constant stream of negative news). Just watch it!
I watch all space exploration shows through my Dad's eyes. He was born in 1899, was in the second class of electrical engineers at Penn State, worked over 40 years at General Electric) and he never tired of the "New". He died in 1987, having watched every launch, every landing, and heard every word. He set his alarm to wake up and watch landings, even if on at 3:00 AM. The shuttle was a fascination. Nothing was boring.
Perhaps because he worked for General Electric (very involved with space programs) ? But his engineering background just lit him up.
I have read a lot of reviews for this film, and realize how jaded folks can be today. We are so used to new accomplishments, the new stuff is boring?
I am not finished with this movie yet, but when I watched Oppy roll onto the surface of Mars, I teared up. Proud of human accomplishment. Anticipating what is coming. Wishing I could go to Mars so I can channel the sites and sounds through my senses to my dad. (Yes I am fascinated by Quantam Physics!). We should all watch these accomplishments and be amazed what we can do without fighting with each other.
Perhaps because he worked for General Electric (very involved with space programs) ? But his engineering background just lit him up.
I have read a lot of reviews for this film, and realize how jaded folks can be today. We are so used to new accomplishments, the new stuff is boring?
I am not finished with this movie yet, but when I watched Oppy roll onto the surface of Mars, I teared up. Proud of human accomplishment. Anticipating what is coming. Wishing I could go to Mars so I can channel the sites and sounds through my senses to my dad. (Yes I am fascinated by Quantam Physics!). We should all watch these accomplishments and be amazed what we can do without fighting with each other.
10folalde
This documentary is made with love for two inorganic characters, that display endurance far beyond their design specifications.
The teams behind Spirit and Opportunity exhibit NASA's mission, vision, and values well. The film can serve as a recruitment vehicle for future scientists, engineers, and astronauts.
Autonomous vehicles explore what is inaccessible to humans in technologies current state. Good Night Oppy, explores the adventures of two unmanned vehicles as they traverse the inhospitable planet, Mars.
What these two vehicles encountered rewrote our history books and paved the way for the vehicles and people that will continue NASA's mission.
The teams behind Spirit and Opportunity exhibit NASA's mission, vision, and values well. The film can serve as a recruitment vehicle for future scientists, engineers, and astronauts.
Autonomous vehicles explore what is inaccessible to humans in technologies current state. Good Night Oppy, explores the adventures of two unmanned vehicles as they traverse the inhospitable planet, Mars.
What these two vehicles encountered rewrote our history books and paved the way for the vehicles and people that will continue NASA's mission.
Did you know
- TriviaAlthough the crater was already named the Eagle Crater when the Opportunity rover came to rest in it after "bouncing" off Mars' surface while landing; the name of the crater got a golf reference from this fact. In golf, "eagle" means sinking a ball two strokes under par and the metaphor extended to landing "a hole in one" with Opportunity rover.
- Quotes
Self - Narrator: Good night, Opportunity. Well done.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Film Junk Podcast: Episode 874: The Menu + Bones and All (2022)
- SoundtracksS.O.S.
Written by Stig Anderson (as Stig Erik Leopold Anderson), Björn Ulvaeus (as Bjoern K. Ulvaeus) and Benny Andersson (as Benny Goran Bror Andersson)
Performed by ABBA
Courtesy of Polydor Records Ltd. under license from Universal Music Enterprises
- How long is Good Night Oppy?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $3,663
- Runtime1 hour 45 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.00 : 1
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