Ad Astra

⭐ 9.5/10

(Originally written by Joseph)

I'm not really sure what led to me rewatching this movie. I watched it when it came out and thought it was solid but ultimately a little too slow and weird for me. But I've been feeling a little melancholy as summer is ending and was looking for something a little more moody or understated.

Man, this movie just hit the spot. I kinda think this movie is perfect, and I think Brad Pitt is incredible in this very un-Brad Pitt-like role. I love the slow speed this movie has, the eerie music, the grounded futurism. It asks some interesting questions without really answering them (I guess it does answer them, but in unique, untidy ways). I love the beauty of this movie, the sense of solitude, of loneliness, the dread of being alone in space.

I really think this movie succeeds in all the goals it had, though unfortunately I don't think one of them was to make a big money blockbuster. Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, a big budget sci-fi, critical praise, and still it made no money?? But they develop this very believable future and unique atmosphere and tell an interesting story. This is minor, but for some reason I couldn't get enough of that Mars long haul pilot. I just thought his character was funny and totally like someone everyone has met. Great random performance by someone I've never seen before.

Anyways, no real complaints, but I will say I didn't really connect with the father-son stuff. I get that the relationship was kinda the point - a glimpse of light in the darkness - but I thought it kinda betrayed the tone of the movie and didn't really work for me. But otherwise I think this movie was very solid and perhaps a classic that will be remembered much more fondly in future years than it was upon release.