Ad Astra
Twentieth Century Fox | Release Date: September 20, 2019
6.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 914 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
510
Mixed:
213
Negative:
191
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User scoreBy dateMost helpful
9
Caleb9Sep 20, 2019
I got Space Odyssey or Apocalypse Now vibes at times. Thoroughly enjoyed it although I can understand that it's not everyone's jam. It's slow paced but if that doesn't bother you, go and see it!
17 of 27 users found this helpful1710
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9
LamontRaymondSep 20, 2019
As a big fan of space movies, especially of the 2001 ilk, I found this one highly entertaining. Brad Pitt is just perfect in the role, and even that curmudgeon Tommy Lee Jones is solid as his dad. The story is well-told, there's greatAs a big fan of space movies, especially of the 2001 ilk, I found this one highly entertaining. Brad Pitt is just perfect in the role, and even that curmudgeon Tommy Lee Jones is solid as his dad. The story is well-told, there's great action, and the message - the philosophy of the film is well developed and deftly delivered. Highly enjoyable - recommended.… Expand
18 of 32 users found this helpful1814
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2
xenogSep 20, 2019
A mission is sent to Neptune to search for extraterrestrial intelligence, as it is evident that this resource is dwnindling on Earth.

At the start of the twenty-first century Hollywood ran out of competent storytellers and writers, churningA mission is sent to Neptune to search for extraterrestrial intelligence, as it is evident that this resource is dwnindling on Earth.


At the start of the twenty-first century Hollywood ran out of competent storytellers and writers, churning out a lithany of low quality films with flashy special effects. The arrival of computers led creators to believe that they no longer needed to write stories to accompany the moving images they produced. Films could not spark the imaginations of filmgoers, leading to progressive degeneration of people's cognitive ability. Our only hope was to set up a lunar base, and one on Mars, so that we could send a mission to Neptune in order to possibly get an extraterrestrial intelligence to send help before it was too late.


But it was too late. Roy McBride went to space at the end of the 21 century to deal with his daddy issues and save the mission sent out to find extraterrestrial intelligence. He got psychological evaluations every five minutes, as the creative black hole that consumed our planet left him in a state of psychological disarray.


By the time the aliens arrived at our planet they found billions of whining dumbed down ape-like creatures that entertain themselves creating and watching pointless movies on small screens manufactured by ancient automated robots that nobody understands anymore.… Expand
27 of 51 users found this helpful2724
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1
rose_rdSep 19, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Once again, I am shocked at the degree of corruption among movie reviewers - it's quite evident that these people are either extremely purchasable or hopelessly pretentious. Ad Astra is the worst space movie to come out in recent times. Terrible writing overall, with shallow, one-dimensional characters who are about as memorable as the cold rice porridge I had this morning. Brad Pitt spends most of the movie rambling to himself about his daddy issues, and it all comes off as terribly pretentious - I don't even know what theme they were trying to explore with this movie, but it just fails. I don't even remember the character's name, despite the movie being very focused on the character's relationship with his father.

The science in this movie is bad enough that it was impossible to suspend any disbelief. Like Mr. TorinHill said, I could not help but gasp due to the sheer mediocrity of the scene where the main character grabs a thin metal shield and just...floats through the rings of Neptune, which are depicted as being an asteroid field a la Star Wars, about maybe a few hundred meters thick. It's a goddamn travesty and all of it is rather pointless and stupid, and contrasts with this movie's failed attempts at portraying itself as a science fiction movie with gravitas. Light speed and other factors are also completely ignored.

There is no main plotline. Through the course of the movie, the focus is either on resolving a generic world-ending crisis caused by an ' electrical surge' caused by an antimatter leak in a spacecraft in Neptune, which is the worst excuse for a fictional existential threat that I've ever seen, due to the exposition being pathetically weak overall - nobody ever explains why the spacecraft ever had any anti-matter at all. The protagonist's father spends decades either travelling to Neptune or doing research there, nothing is ever made clear. What's evident is that the character can just zip over to Neptune in a few months, which makes the other plotline, involving investigating his father's disappearance over Neptune (a decade after the fact) weak and pointless. Someone would have done it already. Anyway, there is no coherent plotline to speak off. It all ends stupidly and without meaningful resolution.

Disgusting. Weakest performance by Brad Pitt in decades, as someone else said. I want two hours of my life back.

One point for the Moon and Neptune visuals.… Expand
18 of 34 users found this helpful1816
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2
donelsonSep 20, 2019
Ad Astra
A pitiful reworking of Heart of Darkness up the river to Neptune. Dullest movie of the year so far, with an uninterrupted 45 mins of Brad Pitt closeups thinking meagre and whiny thoughts out loud. Terrible. Also, the mostAd Astra
A pitiful reworking of Heart of Darkness up the river to Neptune. Dullest movie of the year so far, with an uninterrupted 45 mins of Brad Pitt closeups thinking meagre and whiny thoughts out loud. Terrible. Also, the most cringeworthy, stupid space physics and "science" I've ever seen in a modern sci-fi film.… Expand
17 of 33 users found this helpful1716
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3
TorinHillSep 19, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Terrible writing. The fact that this has an 80 calls these critics' credibility into question. My dude flew through the rings of Neptune, free-solo, using aluminum siding as a shield. I guffawed loudly.
He then collides with an orbiting ship going who-knows-how-fast, and arrests the impact with his... his hands.

An amazing budget squandered on grade school father issue|s.

Our collective intelligence has been insulted.… Expand
16 of 32 users found this helpful1616
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2
abtothestractSep 21, 2019
Slow-moving and heavy-handed, repeatedly violates the "show don't tell" dictum with repetitive narration
18 of 37 users found this helpful1819
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10
dogrrimanSep 20, 2019
I loved it. It's just so grounded, so elegant and low-key. So touching, emotional. Brad Pitt is obviously fantastic.
36 of 75 users found this helpful3639
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2
jackronnerSep 20, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Spoiler Alert: if don't want to spoil your evening, avoid "Ad Astra" movie. Besides being slow, wooden in writing and acting and its plot making no sense, not since T-Rump has science been so utterly ignored. E.g., Within minutes of sending it, Pitt asks if they've received a response to his radio message to Neptune; it would take 8 hours at light speed before the msg was answered. And, 89 days to go 2.5 billion miles? A million miles an hour on average? The acceleration values would have splattered them over the bulkheads. They keep suddenly falling in space when there is no inciting force or gravity to account for it, etc. (same problem in the inaptly named "Gravity" with George Clooney). I'll bet the MIT message boards are exploding in laughter. Can't they ask someone with a smidge of knowledge before they produce this dreck? Did I mention it was boring? Astonished at the gushing professional reviews once again, especially since the writing was as subtle as a two-by-four to the head.… Expand
16 of 36 users found this helpful1620
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1
GreatMartinSep 20, 2019
Being as nice as I can, and a Brad Pitt fan, I would not call this the worst movie of the year, though it is certainly a contender, let's just call it the worst Brad Pitt movie ever!

Instead of making a large, long list of negatives like itBeing as nice as I can, and a Brad Pitt fan, I would not call this the worst movie of the year, though it is certainly a contender, let's just call it the worst Brad Pitt movie ever!

Instead of making a large, long list of negatives like it is one of the longest 2 hour movies I have ever seen let me just tell you not to see it!… Expand
16 of 38 users found this helpful1622
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6
mrc_brnNov 18, 2019
While pretty, in the end I felt slightly deflated. 'All that for such a .. basic message in the end?'. Well crafted, well acted and like I said, pretty images throughout. But ultimately only a so-so experience as far as I'm concerned.While pretty, in the end I felt slightly deflated. 'All that for such a .. basic message in the end?'. Well crafted, well acted and like I said, pretty images throughout. But ultimately only a so-so experience as far as I'm concerned. Expected more substance than what I felt left with exiting the cinema.… Expand
6 of 6 users found this helpful60
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5
92rossDec 23, 2019
A slow moving movie where the main character suddenly develops daddy issues while travelling across the solar system punctuated by moments of action that ultimately amount to nothing.
5 of 5 users found this helpful50
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6
WagyuMeatloafOct 4, 2019
I'm torn on this one because I love me a space adventure and the visuals and atmosphere are amazing but I just couldn't shake the feeling of mehness when I left the theater. It's not bad but a few things drag it down for me. First, the actionI'm torn on this one because I love me a space adventure and the visuals and atmosphere are amazing but I just couldn't shake the feeling of mehness when I left the theater. It's not bad but a few things drag it down for me. First, the action scenes felt out of place and were unnecessary diversions that didn't affect the storyline so it was like they were just checking off a box which contributes to a bit of an identity crisis of what kind of film it wants to be. Second, the narration was totally unnecessary and felt distracting. Finally, the plot was very straightforward and obvious. It failed to trigger my inquisitive mind which is a necessity for a slow-burn kind of movie.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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5
PConsoulNov 23, 2020
Slow and boring storytelling
Dull and forgettable protagonists Uninteresting story
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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6
CLeCromNov 8, 2020
A big oedipus in space. Luxury supporting roles revolve around the star Brad Pitt, always so brilliant. These shrink scenes!
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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7
Oz_MomotaroJan 22, 2022
This is NOT a masterpiece, and not even particularly entertaining... instead it reached for the stars, but instead relied too much on a single one of them (Brad Pitt). The movie premise is just window-dressing (as it doesn't make sense) - andThis is NOT a masterpiece, and not even particularly entertaining... instead it reached for the stars, but instead relied too much on a single one of them (Brad Pitt). The movie premise is just window-dressing (as it doesn't make sense) - and while there are some good scenes for Pitt to eat, his acting comes across much like the character he's portraying - an unrealistic expectation of reality. The story themes of missing out on the here-and-now for want of the beyond; and the challenge we set for our parents (and dreams) to live up to our hopes are there, but it felt like they could have been condensed to a short. At the end, the movie feels like a huge journey... only to find at the end you simply shrug your shoulders and go all the way back home. The movie is too languid in its pacing to be a blockbuster, and too simplistic to be arthouse. It's good they at least tried for the stars - but I would have preferred something a little more grounded.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
DarkwingSchmuckMar 23, 2022
Great care was put into crafting a believable future, and the technical aspects of Ad Astra are all of high quality. Really good direction, a great performance from Brad Pitt, and beautiful cinematography. I only wish it had a stronger storyGreat care was put into crafting a believable future, and the technical aspects of Ad Astra are all of high quality. Really good direction, a great performance from Brad Pitt, and beautiful cinematography. I only wish it had a stronger story to pull it all together. Unfortunately, its simplistic themes and a couple of oddly out of place action sequences make this a bit of a chore to watch.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
tarekaliSep 24, 2019
As the critics say, this is a story about a son living in the long shadow of a heroic father, trying to reconcile fact over fiction. The adage 'Never meet your heroes' is certainly affirmed. However, in substance, this is a cautionary tale ofAs the critics say, this is a story about a son living in the long shadow of a heroic father, trying to reconcile fact over fiction. The adage 'Never meet your heroes' is certainly affirmed. However, in substance, this is a cautionary tale of human space exploration and the accompanying stupidity, madness, greed, and pride that follow such grandiose ambitions. I am certainly even more convinced humankind should focus on saving our existing spaceship, Earth, before we try to walk the stars. Some of the science also tends to stretch physics, where energy levels of phenomena defy logic. Visually mesmerizing, the film absolutely warrants an Imax viewing - the images of serene blue Neptune, in particular, haunt me. Like 'Last Jedi' I greatly deviate from the critics' consensus score on this much less beloved property.… Expand
7 of 9 users found this helpful72
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8
wevertonaguiiarOct 11, 2019
Efeitos visuais belissimos, um personagem principal sem carisma mas que gera empatia e uma direção quieta porém objetiva. Temos tudo isso aqui em Ad Astra. Brad Pitt está incrível mais uma vez.. pode facilmente ser indicado ao Oscar. O pontoEfeitos visuais belissimos, um personagem principal sem carisma mas que gera empatia e uma direção quieta porém objetiva. Temos tudo isso aqui em Ad Astra. Brad Pitt está incrível mais uma vez.. pode facilmente ser indicado ao Oscar. O ponto baixo do filme é a desnecessária lentidão. O ritmo é importante para desenvolver personagem e história, mas o filme exagera um pouco. De resto, bom filme.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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4
MovieRiffingJan 8, 2020
Director James Gray presents a visually stunning film, but one that lacks substance. Ad Astra's slow and methodical pacing culminates in a disappointingly hackneyed climax, where the mounting tension goes to waste. With nothing new to say, AdDirector James Gray presents a visually stunning film, but one that lacks substance. Ad Astra's slow and methodical pacing culminates in a disappointingly hackneyed climax, where the mounting tension goes to waste. With nothing new to say, Ad Astra resorts to the same messages on family and appreciation that other films have been doing more uniquely for years. Put Ad Astra on in the background as a pretty screensaver and you will not be missing much.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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6
treestandSep 22, 2019
Ad Astra is a beautiful film. The wide panning shots are some of the most amazing and immersive space moments I've seen on the big screen, and if you plan on seeing this film, see it on as big a screen as you can. That being said, it doesn'tAd Astra is a beautiful film. The wide panning shots are some of the most amazing and immersive space moments I've seen on the big screen, and if you plan on seeing this film, see it on as big a screen as you can. That being said, it doesn't tread in waters any different than Gravity of Interstellar or Space Odyssey, but wears their influence on its sleeve in a way that is reminiscent of feeling awe in the presence of a great replica of an even more awe inspiring original artwork. BUT, sadly, beyond the visuals, and maybe the sound, the film falls rather flat from beginning to end. Brad Pitt's character is a caricature of a 50s/60s era action hero. A no nonsense militant man who never loses his cool except for when he is faced with his daddy issues. And boy does this film dunk your head in his daddy issues, over and over and over again. I picked up on the fact that this character had father issues, and that his father was a perceived hero and potential villain VERY early in the film as this is clearly and plainly spelled out to the audience. Despite this the film decides to forgo any relevant character building in order to reinsert a reminder of said daddy issues every ten to fifteen minutes, and if it's not Brad Pitt staring out into the abyss whispering 'father...' to his distant lost daddy/cosmic creator then some other character is introduced only to mention his father in some capacity and then exiting stage left as quickly as they arrived. It gets real old, and real perplexing, and feels a lot like getting hit over the head with a daddy/god mallet over and over again to the point of seeming comedic or cartoonish instead of deep and meaningful. Then there is the problem with this film's attempt at being deep and meaningful. It really tries to be deep and meaningful but never seems to inundate you but up to the ankle. Moments of 'Look inflation in the future, an expensive blanket', or 'Look, capitalism on the moon' come across as intriguing but are rushed out of frame as quickly as they are shoved into your face (much like every jarring cameo) making room for more daddy issues, and reminders that Brad Pitt is very cool and collected, until he is not. Then there is the over the top/possibly inspired by Herge's 'Tin Tin goes to the moon' action sequences that are so at odds with the tone of the majority of the film that it continuously felt like I was shifting between two movies. Ten minutes of attempted deep/atmospheric/slow brooding character stagnation then ten minutes of chaotic 'armageddon' level action sequences (with monkeys) where everything that could go wrong does go wrong like clockwork, but somehow our hero never makes a wrong choice, and if he does, it gets him where he is headed even faster than otherwise. This film is a fever dream of someone coming to terms with the absence of their father, and it is a mess. A pretty mess filled to the brim with miscalculations, wtf were they thinking moments, and a great sense that whoever wrote the script did absolutely no research into how physics works in space. It's more Star Wars space fantasy than scifi, but without any of the fun, and a lead up to a climax and revelation that seems so silly and contrived it makes you wonder how this film got so many great actors to do so little for such a long slog of time. It is pretty though, I'll give it that. See it with your dad? Or don't.… Expand
10 of 14 users found this helpful104
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3
grimsfieldDec 8, 2019
Let me just say this movie made no sense. The ending of the movie didn't make sense. The way the security agency handled the threat in this movie made no sense. And the events that occurred throughout the movie made no sense. This movie was aLet me just say this movie made no sense. The ending of the movie didn't make sense. The way the security agency handled the threat in this movie made no sense. And the events that occurred throughout the movie made no sense. This movie was a headache to watch and I regret that I won't be able to get those two hours back.… Expand
5 of 7 users found this helpful52
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3
JackProctorDec 14, 2019
How in the hell did critics think this movie was good? I know it’s a space movie but it’s just so unbelievable...the guy has no fuel to get home so he rides a nuclear blast all the way from Neptune to Earth, Jesus that’s dumb. I could writeHow in the hell did critics think this movie was good? I know it’s a space movie but it’s just so unbelievable...the guy has no fuel to get home so he rides a nuclear blast all the way from Neptune to Earth, Jesus that’s dumb. I could write ten more things but I don’t care enough. Just a bad movie. Worst miss by meta critic since BlackKlansman. Both really poor movies.… Expand
7 of 10 users found this helpful73
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0
UomovisoDec 24, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Do you even science bro?

Ad Astra is set in the near future, but anchors itself in the technological aesthetics of the present. Spacesuits look pretty much the same as they do now, spaceships are still launched with rockets, and air locks are still a thing. In other words, it looks like it's based on real science. No Klingons here.

But apparently the film's $100 million budget didn't extend to hiring an astrophysicist to sound the alarm whenever its already tenuous connection to the truth snapped like a space elevator made from chewing gum. So what follows is an indignant review of its six most shockingly awful violations of scientific principles.

There are plenty of spoilers, but don't worry, you're not going to see the film anyway.

1. Gravity on the Moon ain't what it used to be

The scene: Brad Pitt and Donald Sutherland arrive on the Moon. Travel bags over their shoulders, they ascend an escalator and saunter through the spaceport.

The science: gravity on Earth is 9.8m/s2, but gravity on the Moon is just 1.6m/s2. Unless Brad and Donald are both super comfortable suddenly weighing 16% of their usual weight, they would bounce their way straight into the spaceport ceiling and an unhealthy dose of brain damage.

The fix: install some handrails, Moon government.

2. You can't skid to a smoking stop in space

The scene: Brad hitches a ride on a cargo spaceship travelling from the Moon to Mars. Halfway there, the ship's captain receives a mayday call from another spaceship orbiting a nearby asteroid.

The science: since space is a vacuum, the only way a spaceship can slow down is to fire its rockets in the opposite direction of its travel. Brad's ride is well into its journey when the mayday call arrives, so it's going very, very fast. It would therefore be impossible to stop in time to help out without turning Brad and the ship's crew into meat paste.

The fix: ignore the mayday, captain.

3. We have a stowaway

The scene: Brad is on Mars but wants to go to Neptune to see Tommy Lee Jones. Unfortunately, Space Command doesn't want him to go. So Brad dives through a lake at the base of the spaceship that Command is preparing to launch to Neptune, climbs up the side of the ship as its rockets are firing and breaks in moments before it launches.

The science: the Martian permafrost is between 3.5-8km deep, which means there are no liquid lakes anywhere on the surface of Mars.

Bonus science: Climbing up inside the launch tube of a spaceship as its rockets are firing = instant and fiery death.

The fix: I can't even.

4. Life's pretty fine in Neptune orbit

The scene: Tommy is living in a small spaceship orbiting Neptune, which he has called home from the past twenty years. There is no gravity on the spaceship.

The science: in zero gravity, Tommy's bones should lose 12% of their density per year. As he has lived in zero gravity for twenty years, his bone density should be negative 140%. This would make Tommy a roughly human shaped sack of jelly.

The fix: design your ship to spin along its axis, Tommy, and use centrifugal force to create the impression of gravity. Duh.

5. Surfing the rings

The scene: Brad needs to get back to his spaceship after visiting Tommy's. Unfortunately, he forgot where he put his EVA shuttle. So he rips off a sheet of metal from Tommy's ship and jumps off it. Brad's jump is a good one, but the rings of Neptune stand between him and his ship. He uses his sheet of metal as a shield to protect him from harm.

The science: Brad's ship is 3-4km from Tommy's. Even assuming Brad has a superhuman jumping power that lends him incredible strength and accuracy, he still has to deal with the pesky rocks in Neptune's rings. The metal shield might stop the rocks from killing him, but each of the many impacts would still retard or deflect his path of travel, leaving him stranded to die.

The fix: don't lose your shuttle next time, Brad.

6. Everything can be solved with a nuclear bomb The scene: Brad makes it back to his spaceship, but doesn't have enough fuel for the return journey to Earth. Fortunately, he left a nuclear bomb on Tommy's spaceship so eyeballs the direction back to Earth, waits for the bomb to explode and rides its pressure wave all the way back home. The science: sweet baby Jesus, where do I start? First, space is a vacuum so a nuclear explosion does not create any form of pressure wave at all. Second, even assuming this isn't true, Neptune is 4.4 billion kilometres from Earth and Brad lines up his position between the explosion and Earth by eye. If Brad is even 0.1 degree out, he would miss Earth by 7.5 million kilometres, which is around twenty times the distance from the Earth to the Moon. The fix: don't fly to Neptune unless you've got the juice to get back home, Brad. I give this shockingly awful, steaming mess of a film zero stars and ask: who the hell keeps giving James Gray money? Definitely do not see it.… Expand
7 of 10 users found this helpful73
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6
Camuser59Sep 21, 2019
I really wanted to like this movie but in the end it just felt cold and sterile kind of like space I guess. The visuals are cool and the cast is great so you might want to see it just for that. If I was trying to be funny you could say thatI really wanted to like this movie but in the end it just felt cold and sterile kind of like space I guess. The visuals are cool and the cast is great so you might want to see it just for that. If I was trying to be funny you could say that in space no one can hear you yawn.… Expand
9 of 13 users found this helpful94
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9
RodukaOct 2, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First of all, this movie has nothing to do with Interestellar. Interestellar is the same movie as Inception, but in space. It's clever, extremely well done, and that's it. I don't even think Ad Astra is a sci-fi movie, as the space is only a metaphor for the main character's journey in life through solitude. Always looking out, trying to find reasons and answers, with goals in mind, and never looking in. It's about how our parents are in many ways our heroes, how much they are an example in our lives. But as we grow older, we end up learning that they're only humans, with flaws, and resentment and maybe also capable of grandious things. People can trash them, or put them on pedestals, but the truth is nobody is perfect nor the devil. It has strong religious conotation. The cinematography is amazing, and it's Brad's best acting ever. I didn't have problems with the pace and narration of the movie, but some people did. I must admit that Max Richter did let me down. I'm waiting for the 3 hour cut from Criterion, since some scenes from the trailer were not in the movie. And don't read those reviews trashing the movie. The character was not on a trip to f*cking Neptune for Christ's sake. He just went on a journey inside himself to find out how he became that person, and how he didn't want to be that person anymore. People are just so f*cking used to get everything chewed up that they can't even think for themselves nowadays. I'll tell you what, you want to go on a journey? Watch the movie and then read some reviews trashing it. It's really like going on a trip to human stupidity.… Expand
4 of 6 users found this helpful42
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6
JalemanyOct 5, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Wanting to be big, it feels small. Maybe the father-son cliché does not reach enough depth, maybe the space stories and the threat for Earth are too secondary, maybe it's waaaaay toooo sloooow. Also, the Moon and Mars stories seem to take place on some seedy outskirts, with no control, authority of technological advancements ... really, driving little cars and surrounded by thieves ?!! Disappointing.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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2
GerNFeb 26, 2020
Ad Astra is an overly long mood piece, two hours of techno-malaise with occasional brief violence. There are so many scientific howlers that the movie has no credibility as science fiction, but fantasy should have some fun. Maybe as aAd Astra is an overly long mood piece, two hours of techno-malaise with occasional brief violence. There are so many scientific howlers that the movie has no credibility as science fiction, but fantasy should have some fun. Maybe as a drinking game: a sip of booze whenever somebody spots an error.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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5
Voodoo123Jan 13, 2020
Ad Astra combines it's interesting asthetic tones with slow methodical pacing and a plot that takes our protagonist Pitt on a journey through the solar system in a format not dissimilar to apolcalpyse now.... However despite the excellentAd Astra combines it's interesting asthetic tones with slow methodical pacing and a plot that takes our protagonist Pitt on a journey through the solar system in a format not dissimilar to apolcalpyse now.... However despite the excellent cast and production value, the film felt flat from the moon onwards. The screenplay just didn't feel anywhere near as interesting as the visuals and so it can't be recommended beyond any curiosity you may have about watching this.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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4
TreceDec 30, 2019
Esta wea es culpa de Interstellar. ArrAstra es una simple buena idea, contada con la emocion y profundidad del horoscopo pseudomotivacional
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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2
zacharyhasDec 26, 2019
Brad Pitt is the only good thing about this movie, what wasted potential. First act starts out promising but it becomes both a bore and a mess.
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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6
MarkHReviewsSep 28, 2019
Co-Writer/Director James Gray (“The Immigrant,” “The Lost City of Z”) clearly had lofty ambitions for “Ad Astra.” Some of his accomplishments are, wait for it, “stellar.” But other key elements of this film simply fail to take off.

JosephCo-Writer/Director James Gray (“The Immigrant,” “The Lost City of Z”) clearly had lofty ambitions for “Ad Astra.” Some of his accomplishments are, wait for it, “stellar.” But other key elements of this film simply fail to take off.

Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” is clearly the inspiration for this story (which creates inevitable comparisons to “Apocalypse Now,” a film that also drew upon Conrad’s novella). This film is set in the “near future.” To stop a series of crippling power surges caused by anti-matter experiments, Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) is sent by Space Comm (a weaponized NASA) to Neptune, the probable source of the problem. One complicating factor is that Neptune is the location of The Lima Project, which was manned by Clifford McBride (Tommy Lee Jones), Roy’s father, who is presumed dead. Will Roy find his father? If so, will he destroy his father’s work to stop the power surges? Or, as with “Apocalypse Now,” is there a risk he will become his father? Potentially, there’s plenty to think about.

Director Gray’s image of our dystopian future is interesting and thought-provoking, but it’s his visuals that are truly breath-taking. From the opening shot of Roy working on the International Space Antenna, the imagery is both memorable and mesmerizing. There are also some wonderfully snarky speculations about what the future may hold – Roy has to “fly commercial” to the moon, where a spacesuit-clad flight attendant sells him a blanket and pillow pack for $125 (some of Gray’s speculations are clearly months, rather than years, in the future).

With appearances by Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, Liv Tyler and even Natasha Lyonne (“Russian Doll”) in a tiny cameo (really?!), there is plenty of star power to summon. But this film definitely is Pitt’s extraterrestrial vehicle. His layered portrayal of an externally calm but internally seething Roy, when contrasted with his straightforward role in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” offers further evidence that Pitt is more than just another pretty face.

So long as Gray adheres to the themes from “Heart of Darkness” – concerns about civilization, the risks of imperialism and exploitation – and even some less traditional topics (such as toxic masculinity), the plot is outstanding. Where “Ad Astra” veers badly off course is in its meditation on fathers and sons. This story line, while critical, is completely under-developed, apparently confusing Pitt’s voiceovers with legitimate plot development. As a result, the viewer regularly suffers vertigo – one moment experiencing a riveting space shoot-out with amazing special effects and dazzling cinematography, the next suffering through an interminable interlude of Roy brooding manfully about his own brooding. It’s admirable to shoot for the stars. Unfortunately, “Ad Astra” just misses.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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5
JazzyChanOct 26, 2019
I don't understand how the critics mark this so high. "Pitt's best performance" "A well made provocative movie" "superb suspense sequences" "A rare nuances story-telling". Are those guys still seeing the movies they talk about or they justI don't understand how the critics mark this so high. "Pitt's best performance" "A well made provocative movie" "superb suspense sequences" "A rare nuances story-telling". Are those guys still seeing the movies they talk about or they just write papers on it like ****ing robots? I don't think this is a bad movie but, come on, it isn't that great.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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1
jonnyrockDec 5, 2019
Was really excited to see this. What an incredible disappointment. So so bad.
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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3
PrimalPrimeMar 28, 2020
I honestly can't see what so many other did in this film. I hear terms like "thematic depth" and "nuanced performance" tossed around in the countless 10/10 reviews this film has gotten, but no one cares to elaborate on these features,I honestly can't see what so many other did in this film. I hear terms like "thematic depth" and "nuanced performance" tossed around in the countless 10/10 reviews this film has gotten, but no one cares to elaborate on these features, seemingly confident that the film speaks for itself. For me it didn't.

Brad Pitt's performance felt more wooden than nuanced, though I'm not sure how much of that is his fault given how frustratingly vague the script is. The movie is drenched in sci-fi clichés and tropes, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it seems that every chance it has to play with these tropes is thrown away in favour of playing by them, letting them drive the plot and character development. The result is a movie that feels like it has little of its own to say. Lines of the script unashamedly foreshadow, to the point of spoiling, the single moment they will be relevant later. Design tropes are used to help us identify characters, even when it would have been more thematically appropriate to play with our expectations a bit. Major questions are left unanswered and predictable beats are played like dramatic twists. From start to finish, this movie failed to impress.

That's not to say there was nothing the movie did well. The shots were well put-together and beautiful, though much like the character design they sometimes seemed to work against the themes they were meant to support. Based on my admittedly cursory knowledge of space physics, nothing seemed egregiously wrong, though many characters seemed so stupid and helpless I questioned how they became astronauts in the first place. The designs of vehicles, buildings and technology were possibly the most well thought out and believable parts of the movie, so you may find some value there, but as I mentioned earlier this is often tempered by how they seem to confuse what the movie is apparently using them to say.

Lots of close-ups of Brad Pitt's face, though. If that's what you're looking for, then 10/10.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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0
GalazarDec 8, 2019
One the dullest and most boring films I've had the displeasure of watching.
7 of 11 users found this helpful74
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6
ReallyRealSep 22, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie seems like it was written by two different teams. The first half is great- extremely entertaining, and very well shot. The action sequence on the moon were very well done. Then, as soon as they leave the moon en route to Mars, it becomes a boring, pretenious, tedious movie, with extraordinarily little payoff. Most of the things that happen are absolutely pointless. And the ending....

Brad Pitt was excellent however.… Expand
5 of 8 users found this helpful53
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9
BeardedYodaOct 8, 2019
A very intelligent and fascinating film that is bound to get some Oscar buzz around it. The acting in the film is great, the story is awesome and the world the film creates is absolutely outstanding.
5 of 8 users found this helpful53
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0
MFCOct 6, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Can't believe this movie is getting any good reviews. Linear, superficial, soppy and dull.… Expand
8 of 13 users found this helpful85
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2
EFRAMDec 25, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. As a Sci-fi fan I was looking forward to Ad Astra. However, as a Sci-Fi fan I found the film to be pedantic, dreary, boring and contrived. The voice over narration was at times both annoying and obsequious, but the biggest problem for me was the concept of the "Surge". This is the basic premise holding the film together, and when all was said and done, the "Surge" was not only not adequately explained, it was totally glossed over. Careless Sci-Fi-fi is the worst kind of film making duplicity because it's easy to "create" a sci-fi-fi narrative that has no real basis in actual facts. Such was the case here. A waste of 88 million dollars and a lot of good PD efforts.… Expand
8 of 13 users found this helpful85
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5
cylackSep 20, 2019
Saw this in iMax. Am a James Gray fan, and really like Lost City of Z so was expecting big things out of this movie. Left the theater bored and saying "that's it?" to myself. Beautifully shot, some really amazing visuals, great acting by BradSaw this in iMax. Am a James Gray fan, and really like Lost City of Z so was expecting big things out of this movie. Left the theater bored and saying "that's it?" to myself. Beautifully shot, some really amazing visuals, great acting by Brad Pitt, but the movie was boring! Think of it as "Apocalpyse Now" set in space, but not nearly as adventurous or exciting.… Expand
9 of 15 users found this helpful96
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10
SwarmofferretsSep 21, 2019
Fantastic movie. Makes you reflect on the greater questions about exploration and what drives our searches and those that make them.
9 of 15 users found this helpful96
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7
ProteusSep 20, 2019
There are some large and annoying and notable problems with the physics out in space in the film. Sorry to say it just cannot be ignored.

Just prepare yourself for some deep "whatever" moments and enjoy the depth of the emotional story, theThere are some large and annoying and notable problems with the physics out in space in the film. Sorry to say it just cannot be ignored.

Just prepare yourself for some deep "whatever" moments and enjoy the depth of the emotional story, the visuals, the Brad Pitt performance, the music and the ambience.… Expand
6 of 10 users found this helpful64
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8
JUANES4422Sep 25, 2019
Ad Astra is an ode to character development, having so many aspects to exploit, decides to take the best of each of them to complement the true purpose of the movie, reconstruct the introspection of the protagonist.
Although the story isAd Astra is an ode to character development, having so many aspects to exploit, decides to take the best of each of them to complement the true purpose of the movie, reconstruct the introspection of the protagonist.
Although the story is about a space trip to Neptune, really beyond the trip, it is the events that lead a man to question his life purpose and why he makes the decisions he makes.
It is a movie that takes full advantage of the visual and sound aspects of being located in space, but those factors go to the background when the protagonist is on scene, since the primary interest is to know his thoughts.
The more the history moves away of the earth , the more fictional it becomes, which takes away realism from the story. However, the message remains clear, we have to stop looking outside and start looking inside… Expand
6 of 10 users found this helpful64
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9
Kevin3Sep 24, 2019
Ad astra es una maravilla una película muy humana y las escenas de acción una combinación perfecta puede que la película en algunas partes sea lenta pero es mínimo
6 of 10 users found this helpful64
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9
StevosSep 27, 2019
This is my kind of science fiction. Almost no gun or lasers, no aliens, just an excellent look at how the future could possibly look pumped up with a bit of planet saving action. Excellent when you look past a couple of minor and unnecessaryThis is my kind of science fiction. Almost no gun or lasers, no aliens, just an excellent look at how the future could possibly look pumped up with a bit of planet saving action. Excellent when you look past a couple of minor and unnecessary plot holes. Brad Pitt great as is futuristic imagery. I’ll recall this movie for a long time… Expand
6 of 10 users found this helpful64
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2
valrondApr 20, 2020
Booooring.
I love space movies. I have read some things of Brad Pitt saying this movie was about toxic masculinity, so I skipped it on the cinema. And thank God I did, cause this movie is awfully boring. The boringest movie I've seen (well, IBooooring.
I love space movies. I have read some things of Brad Pitt saying this movie was about toxic masculinity, so I skipped it on the cinema. And thank God I did, cause this movie is awfully boring. The boringest movie I've seen (well, I watched just half, it was unberable) in a long time. I rarely don't finish movies, but this was just, well, slow, and most of the time just Brad Pitt wraping his head around his father and other stupid things. Just skip it and save two hours of your life.… Expand
3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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1
alenkaczJun 14, 2020
I must have watched a different Ad Astra than the ones giving this a positive review. The one I viewed was a confusing mess with a ridiculous plot and completely inaccurate science. A antenna repairman battles moon pirates and space monkeys.I must have watched a different Ad Astra than the ones giving this a positive review. The one I viewed was a confusing mess with a ridiculous plot and completely inaccurate science. A antenna repairman battles moon pirates and space monkeys. Hijacks the ship kills the crew and bonds with old dad at Neptune. Returns to earth then hooks up with his ex-wife in a diner.
This is accomplished in two hours of poor acting, rambling dialog and dreary space music.
Save your time and money, watch 2001 A space Oddessy instead.… Expand
3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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5
dude100Sep 24, 2019
I'm a die-hard science fiction fan and I would say this movie is good, but not great. The best scene in the movie is the moon buggy battle which lasts around 10 minutes. Other than that the movie is a bit flat. Red box this.
3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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0
heloheSep 29, 2019
I am a physicist, but I can enjoy some good sci-fi movie from time to time. I also don't mind some scientific inaccuracies if the movie is enjoyable. But this one is just bad. Literally everything about the movie is bad. Boring plot. BoringI am a physicist, but I can enjoy some good sci-fi movie from time to time. I also don't mind some scientific inaccuracies if the movie is enjoyable. But this one is just bad. Literally everything about the movie is bad. Boring plot. Boring ending. Bad science. Nonsensical message. Bad acting. I don't really understand why this movie even exists.
I have to say the sets and camera work is quite nice though.… Expand
10 of 17 users found this helpful107
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8
HannahKSep 20, 2019
I felt compelled to write a short review after seeing some of the unjustified low scores. Pitt gives an arguably career best performance in an Oscar worthy movie. If you are a proper grown up, discerning Sci fi fan this one is for you.
14 of 24 users found this helpful1410
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7
ametacriticSep 23, 2019
Looks good, holds promise for nearly 2/3 of the film (though there are signs early on the movie doesn't have it together), and ultimately it falls apart. Everything surrounding Tommy Lee Jones just doesn't gel / make sense / giveLooks good, holds promise for nearly 2/3 of the film (though there are signs early on the movie doesn't have it together), and ultimately it falls apart. Everything surrounding Tommy Lee Jones just doesn't gel / make sense / give satisfaction. I wish the characters and plot had been better, it's a good looking movie that was willing to be deliberate and thoughtful which I appreciate.… Expand
7 of 12 users found this helpful75
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9
sekmet64Sep 22, 2019
It's slow paced and quite a simplistic story, but I still enjoyed it. Watching a movie about what our future would look like if we properly colonized our solar system is a very interesting subject and it was depicted in a realistic way.
BradIt's slow paced and quite a simplistic story, but I still enjoyed it. Watching a movie about what our future would look like if we properly colonized our solar system is a very interesting subject and it was depicted in a realistic way.
Brad Pitt is really at top of his game, at this point he could be playing the most boring character ever and still carry a movie.… Expand
7 of 12 users found this helpful75
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8
yadevolSep 21, 2019
Ad Astra is certainly not a masterpiece despite some claims and it's not without it's flaws {some questionable 'science' and action set pieces that seem to belong in another movie}. What it is though is an entertaining and quite thoughtAd Astra is certainly not a masterpiece despite some claims and it's not without it's flaws {some questionable 'science' and action set pieces that seem to belong in another movie}. What it is though is an entertaining and quite thought provoking film well worth checking out if you like films such as Interstellar and Blade Runner 2049.… Expand
11 of 19 users found this helpful118
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9
amheretojudgeSep 20, 2019
A cry for yearning to accept, you either let go then or rattle yourself to stand alone and fly alone.

Ad Astra Point. And another point. Hopefully another followed by one other. The storytelling of a film- let us stick to that, for now- hasA cry for yearning to accept, you either let go then or rattle yourself to stand alone and fly alone.

Ad Astra

Point. And another point. Hopefully another followed by one other. The storytelling of a film- let us stick to that, for now- has been of these various points, stringed strongly by profound characters with profound theories pulsating on that attention grabbing screen. We jump from one to another, float, skip merrily, exhale boringly and criticize ambitiously. These formats have been kept in front of us over the ages in cinematic history. But lately, I found myself with extravagant projects standing against those obligatory notes, that they, the writers, the makers, are told to deliver, and reject the hypothesis, the notion on succumbing to those elements. "That's the spirit!" is my reaction, and the cinema takes its turn towards new possibilities.

Almost like a new exploration. Something that is extra terrestrial to us. And I'd be disappointed and not angry, if years, decades later, Ad Astra, co-written and directed by James Gray, won't get a nod for this analysis. The film is set in the future which has got only thing to bring alive in that fabric and that is the fact that the quality of the filmmaking is higher, mature, than what we receive, might even deserve. We are not ready for this kind of a show. I was not.

There are themes so pure and alone out there in the space, stripped emotionally by Brad Pitt, that horror seems a by product. A by product that you fall under it, every now and then amongst this post social media world. This hitchhiking version of the sci-fi adventure that we have never even thought of, has a man single handedly pull up a sun. A star. And it is that pull which Gray feels in Pitt's friendship over the years and that same pull that has kept Pitt young on the screen; artistically, his performance is still raw and decolorizing.… Expand
11 of 19 users found this helpful118
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10
gilmyrSep 20, 2019
Heart-wrenching and a visual treat. Amazing acting chops by Pitt and Jones.
11 of 19 users found this helpful118
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9
mrmonsterSep 21, 2019
Ad Astra is a terrific sci-fi thriller. Brad Pitt gives an Oscar worthy performance in a visually stunning movie that makes you feel like you are being taken to the edges of the solar system. I don't know why so many others are giving thisAd Astra is a terrific sci-fi thriller. Brad Pitt gives an Oscar worthy performance in a visually stunning movie that makes you feel like you are being taken to the edges of the solar system. I don't know why so many others are giving this bad reviews.… Expand
8 of 14 users found this helpful86
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7
theredskySep 22, 2019
Ad Astra has some of the best visual effects of the year and another strong performance from Brad Pitt. Even though the film is really strong in the technical category, it still has its issues. The film is definitely going for this deepAd Astra has some of the best visual effects of the year and another strong performance from Brad Pitt. Even though the film is really strong in the technical category, it still has its issues. The film is definitely going for this deep psychological tone and it didn’t work well for me, mainly because the film takes itself a little bit too seriously. Throughout the 2 hour runtime, Pitt smiles maybe once or twice. If the film wasn’t trying to make itself this deep psychological film, it would have been better. The very basic concept of the film is very cliched. It is another save the universe story but it does enough that is unique that this isn’t that big of an issue. Some of the side characters are pointless and are just there to dump exposition. The film also does start to feel a tad bit too long towards the end though. While these issues do hold the film down a little bit, the positives do outweigh the negatives. Brad Pitt gives a fantastic performance. Although I think his performance in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was better, I still think he does a fantastic job. It’s just the little things he does in this role that establish him as a great actor. Tommy Lee Jones did a good job in his role even though he was on screen for about 10-15 minutes. In my opinion, the biggest take away from the film is the visual effects. The film looks fantastic. Whenever we see a planet, it looks so real and it sucks you into the universe. Every little detail, every spaceship, every location just feels incredibly real. I strongly believe this film could win Best Visual Effects at the Oscars. The way the film uses lighting and its camera work just adds to the spectacle. I don’t know a lot about the physics of space but from what I do know, this film abides by those rules most of the time. Do remember that this film takes place in the near future and technology has obviously improved in this universe so some of the physics may not make as much sense as they would today. I also really enjoyed the score by Max Richter for this film a lot. It has this spacey vibe to it that fits the atmosphere and the tone the film is going for. I thought the production design for this film was really good also. Overall, Ad Astra is a great film with a fantastic performance by Brad Pitt and amazing visual effects but is held back a little by a way too serious tone. I give Ad Astra a 7.5/10.… Expand
8 of 14 users found this helpful86
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8
zechariahSep 22, 2019
A wonderful movie about with the human psyche and the very natrure of mankind's frailties and strengths.
8 of 14 users found this helpful86
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6
moviemitch96Sep 20, 2019
The premise alone was enough to intrigue me on this one, and I normally find myself pretty fascinated with space exploration films. So I was pretty interested to check this out. And while I can say that it's most definitely visuallyThe premise alone was enough to intrigue me on this one, and I normally find myself pretty fascinated with space exploration films. So I was pretty interested to check this out. And while I can say that it's most definitely visually breathtaking, in addition to feeling like it borrows some pages from previous superior space films (Interstellar, Gravity, The Martian, etc.), I found it to be a bit underwhelming and a little too ponderous and heavy in terms of story and pacing. The film seemed a little sluggish to me and took sometimes random, sometimes slow aim at what direction it wanted to go in. One more positive I can say, however, is that Brad Pitt gives a very confident performance that manages to make the film only slightly more compelling than it could've been, but just barely enough to keep my interest going till the end. Overall, Pitt's in top form here, and it's got some neat visuals and kind of a cool and epic score to go along with it, but it just felt lacking and uninspired to me storywise, as well as content to take it's time to a fault.… Expand
4 of 7 users found this helpful43
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3
JudgeSmailsDec 19, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I can't give this a zero because visually this was a very nice movie. The moon rover sequence was especially good visually (although pretty stupid plot wise). But man was the plot dumb overall. Basically, the heroe's Dad goes rogue, murders his crew, and threatens to eradicate humanity. His unemotional son gets recruited to talk some sense into him. That doesn't work, so the son goes rogue, hijacks a ship, murders it's crew, and heads to Neptune to murder his father. After a very strange encounter, he tries to save his father, but his father essentially commits suicide and jumps off into space. The son says "screw it", and then nukes his father and rides the nuclear explosion back to Earth- no idea how he decelerates at the end of his journey. When he gets back to Earth, they apparently forget about how he murdered the crew and stole a multi billion dollar spaceship and nuked the legacy spaceship near Neptune without permission. But by far the dumbest thing in any recent sci fi movie is when Brad Pitt uses a panel off of a space ship to shield him as he "jumps" his way all the way through Neptune's rings. In real life, they are thousands and thousands of miles wide, but in the movie, only about 50 yards. If you watch this movie, do it on an airplane without the headphones in and work on a crossword puzzle at the same time.… Expand
4 of 7 users found this helpful43
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9
KorbenX9Sep 20, 2019
Anyone giving this movie low ratings like 0s or 1s obviously has never seen a good movie before. This was a very well done movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. Even though the entire solar system is at stake, the movieAnyone giving this movie low ratings like 0s or 1s obviously has never seen a good movie before. This was a very well done movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. Even though the entire solar system is at stake, the movie still manages to stay very grounded, choosing to focus on Brad Pitt's character as he struggles with his normally cold and apathetic personality crumbling apart as he searches for his long lost father. The movie's science for the most part (aside from one particular scene near the end which was ridiculous) feels very believable. Definitely worth 2 hours of anyone's time, science fiction fan or not!… Expand
13 of 23 users found this helpful1310
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7
lennycliff123Sep 21, 2019
While I don't think Ad Astra is quite deserving of the praise most of the movie critics have given it, it's still well worth seeing.
9 of 16 users found this helpful97
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9
dwillowSep 21, 2019
It's excellent, the first half is perfect. The second half has some lovely touches, particularly the decision to avoid a crash bang ending. A good story told beautifully.
9 of 16 users found this helpful97
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10
wvorticesSep 21, 2019
All the bad reviews about this moving being slow and boring are all missing the nuances. This is a philosophical/intellectual film with heart, this is not aliens (which is also good but different). This is a modern apocalypse now combinedAll the bad reviews about this moving being slow and boring are all missing the nuances. This is a philosophical/intellectual film with heart, this is not aliens (which is also good but different). This is a modern apocalypse now combined with the myth of Sisyphus. Think about what is your hope for the future. I was absolutely riveted for every moment and this is absolutely wonderful to see in theatre where the silences and visuals can be absorbed.… Expand
9 of 16 users found this helpful97
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10
ClamAntholeSep 21, 2019
Beautiful and emotionally nuanced. Brad Pitt, the music, cinematography, and vfx were all great. Not particularly fast-paced unless you are willing to engage with the movie on its own subtle terms.
9 of 16 users found this helpful97
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10
Moviereviewer15Sep 20, 2019
A visually stunning well acted space adventure that is meant to be seen on. A giant IMAX screen.
10 of 18 users found this helpful108
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9
PuckertoeSep 20, 2019
CGI has come such a long way. This film explored so many issues that are current with us. From the fact that Earth might be the best place to live, to family and what being human means. I loved it as a drama and Brad Pitt comes of age at lastCGI has come such a long way. This film explored so many issues that are current with us. From the fact that Earth might be the best place to live, to family and what being human means. I loved it as a drama and Brad Pitt comes of age at last in a mature and well paced role. The only thing the film lacked is a strong woman character, the women in it are shadow figures.… Expand
10 of 18 users found this helpful108
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6
TheVeganSep 23, 2019
I saw the excellent reviews and had hoped for something more entertaining. The cinematography was very good. The story I suppose was good as well but I was never really drawn into it. I found it interesting to a degree but I found it slowI saw the excellent reviews and had hoped for something more entertaining. The cinematography was very good. The story I suppose was good as well but I was never really drawn into it. I found it interesting to a degree but I found it slow moving which can be fine but I like to be moved in some way and this just didn't do it for me. You may love it because it is well written and acted but not something I would recommend.… Expand
5 of 9 users found this helpful54
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8
BrunoVn00Sep 25, 2019
Far from the best of the year, but still a pretty good movie. I was expecting the tone and pacing to be comparable to other films like 2001: A Space Odyssey (although not as good because come on, 2001 is 2001), which is a movie some peopleFar from the best of the year, but still a pretty good movie. I was expecting the tone and pacing to be comparable to other films like 2001: A Space Odyssey (although not as good because come on, 2001 is 2001), which is a movie some people drew comparisons to. However, compared to 2001 or even other space movies like Interstellar, this is pretty straight-forward and fast-paced, despite being slow-paced for most of the movie. The movie is just 2 hours long and it felt like 2 and a half hours or 3 hours because at times the pacing was really bad. I can't call this movie boring because at least it had interesting visuals, I would call it slow and hard to watch in a single viewing honestly.

In the technical aspects this movie is phenomenal. The cinematography and visual effects are great, it reminded me a lot of First Man, another space movie that has some great VFX. The tone sometimes can get a little inconsistent. Just to give you an idea, most of the movie is slow but there are "action" parts that felt that they belong in another movie, it takes a little bit away from the experience, but not too much to the point of ruining it. The writing and story aren't anything special and can get predictable at some points.

The performances are other redeeming quality. Every actor gives a great performance, specially Brad Pitt. If the acting wasn't good or remarkable, then the movie would be pretty bad, but that is not the case and overall, this is a pretty enjoyable movie, but don't expecting to be blown away and leave the theater asking questions like with Interstellar or 2001, nor expect a fast-paced action movie like Gravity, nor to be emotionally moved like with First Man.… Expand
5 of 9 users found this helpful54
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8
gustavoriquelmeSep 26, 2019
Ad Astra is a magnificent film, being one of the best space adventures of the last years. With an amazing sound editing, stunning cinematography, a beautiful soundtrack, and an incredible performance by Brad Pitt as Roy McBride, it gives usAd Astra is a magnificent film, being one of the best space adventures of the last years. With an amazing sound editing, stunning cinematography, a beautiful soundtrack, and an incredible performance by Brad Pitt as Roy McBride, it gives us an astonishing journey through space.… Expand
5 of 9 users found this helpful54
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9
xSagaiSep 20, 2019
This is a great movie! I can understand why this isn't a movie for everyone but these insanely low scores are an illustration of the overall attention span of today's society. There are moments of action and surprises but ultimately this isThis is a great movie! I can understand why this isn't a movie for everyone but these insanely low scores are an illustration of the overall attention span of today's society. There are moments of action and surprises but ultimately this is about the relationship of a father and son and discovery of what matters most. Visuals are amazing and Brad Pitt's performance are their equal.… Expand
11 of 20 users found this helpful119
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7
JoeCoolSep 22, 2019
Brad Pitt is a really great actor and the beautiful photography make this one worth seeing on the big screen. You'll get a bit of dodgy science and questionable choices thrown into the mix, but if you can get over that for the most part, justBrad Pitt is a really great actor and the beautiful photography make this one worth seeing on the big screen. You'll get a bit of dodgy science and questionable choices thrown into the mix, but if you can get over that for the most part, just for the sake of moving the story along, it's quite an enjoyable movie. I can understand the messages won't exactly please everyone, but people aren't always all puppies and sunshine. That's just the way it is.… Expand
6 of 11 users found this helpful65
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8
Compi24Sep 24, 2019
In a kind of bizzaro "Interstellar" meets "Apocalypse Now" sort of way, co-writer and director James Gray's "Ad Astra" is the kind of movie that presents some of the prettiest, most aesthetic interplanetary imagery you can possibly imagine,In a kind of bizzaro "Interstellar" meets "Apocalypse Now" sort of way, co-writer and director James Gray's "Ad Astra" is the kind of movie that presents some of the prettiest, most aesthetic interplanetary imagery you can possibly imagine, whilst simultaneously posing some truly sobering ideas about humanity's purpose (or lack thereof) in the universe. The kind of movie to spend a healthy chunk of running time depicting characters thinking silently to themselves, interacting with parts of a futuristic environment, or having quiet conversations with other characters, whilst also having set pieces involving vehicle chases, explosions, and gun play littered throughout. It's a challenging, deep, cerebral watch, that's most definitely not for everyone, with many people understandably finding it pretentious or indecipherably guarded. I however, greatly admired its different and decidedly eccentric method overall.… Expand
6 of 11 users found this helpful65
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9
PimpinpakmanSep 24, 2019
I don't understand the low user score for this movie. Honestly its a really good movie with amazing cinematography and visuals. If you like sci-fi then this is a must watch regardless, even if it didn't have a story, the environment andI don't understand the low user score for this movie. Honestly its a really good movie with amazing cinematography and visuals. If you like sci-fi then this is a must watch regardless, even if it didn't have a story, the environment and aesthetics alone are worth it. If you are not a sci-fi fan then there a well paced father-son story here which is well acted by Pitt. I was afraid i would be disappointed due to the user reviews but honestly, not only did i enjoy it, i went back 2 days later to see it in IMAX as well because i thought it was more than worth it, and it was. It really is a good movie lol Give it a try, atleast thats my recommendation on it!… Expand
6 of 11 users found this helpful65
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9
thabudSep 24, 2019
Movie was godly, all the comments about the movie bein slowpaced and the ending being horrid are false. Yall to used to your **** **** ass revenge thrillers and avengers movies grow tf. 8.5 9/10 for me go see that, get ya attention span up pus*y
6 of 11 users found this helpful65
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9
manningn15Sep 25, 2019
This is one of my favorite space movies of all time, one of my favorite movies of 2019, and one of my favorite movies of all time. Brad Pitts performance was phenomenal, definitely one of his best performances of all time. Tommy Lee Jones,This is one of my favorite space movies of all time, one of my favorite movies of 2019, and one of my favorite movies of all time. Brad Pitts performance was phenomenal, definitely one of his best performances of all time. Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Donald Sutherland, and Liv Tyler also gave great performances. The visual effects were exceptional and really real looking. The soundtrack was outstanding, one of my favorite soundtracks of all time. The sets were wonderful. The costumes were excellent. At times the movie could be a little slow but overall it was a amazingly beautiful, touching, and heartbreaking.… Expand
6 of 11 users found this helpful65
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0
TrapKing101Nov 27, 2019
Straight up garbage. RATHER WATCH LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE. No wonder I have heard nothing about this film lol.
6 of 11 users found this helpful65
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7
veshchesSep 22, 2019
I wanted to like this film more than I did. I think I get it, but I don't think the film did a good job of making me care very much for these characters. I did enjoy it, but doubt I would ever sit through it again.
6 of 11 users found this helpful65
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8
marcmyworksSep 22, 2019
Ad Astra is a slow burn that is beautifully photographed and excellently scored. I can understand why critics loved this film and why fans may be put off but overall it has very little story but it does have heart.
7 of 13 users found this helpful76
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5
KeithDowSep 21, 2019
"Below the surface, there was nothing."

This quote from the movie pretty much sums it all up. To say that 'Ad Astra' failed to meet our astronomically high expectations would be a cosmically vast understatement. We'll get to that in a"Below the surface, there was nothing."

This quote from the movie pretty much sums it all up. To say that 'Ad Astra' failed to meet our astronomically high expectations would be a cosmically vast understatement. We'll get to that in a minute, but first we need to address the issue of the human buffalo sitting to our right who at first served as an annoyance, but as the movie painfully played on, became a welcomed distraction.

We've never seen a fellow patron shamelessly double-fisting popcorn into their mouth before, much less grunting it all down like some wild bison inhaling a pile of feed out on the plains. His form was both well-practiced and impressive.

In addition to the popcorn, he also ordered a personal thin crust sausage pizza. When it arrived, he whispered something to the runner. Much to our surprise, it was a request for a salt shaker. Because everyone knows that if there's one thing a sausage pizza doesn't have enough of, it's salt!

The application of the salt was quite liberal, of course. Not just a sprinkling over the entirety of the pie before eating it, mind you, but applying it to each individual slice before they were to be consumed for that extra bit o' salty goodness. And if you think we're exaggerating how much salt this human-bovine hybrid consumed, after the pizza was eaten, he literally swirled his index finger through the greasy salt streaks that remained on the tray and licked it. Mmm-tastes like an early onset heart attack!

Now back to the actual film review. Let's put it this way: you know there's a massive problem with the film when serious action sequences are drawing laughter from the audience. We couldn't laugh. We were too offended by the ridiculousness of it all.

To put it plainly, 'Ad Astra' has some of the most absurdly unrealistic scenes of any space movie we've seen. If you know anything about physics, botany, nutrition, astronomy, or just about any other branch of science, 'Ad Astra' will make your brain hurt.

Add to this the fact that the plot, production design, and cinematography are all quite horrid, and we've got ourselves a classic Razzie situation on our hands, people. Oh, and just one more thing: several media outlets have labelled the film "one of the best space movies in years." Saying as much is a gross injustice to last years criminally underrated 'First Man' and anyone who echoes this sentiment should be banished to the dark side of the moon (where apparently there are space pirates with Star Wars blasters roaming around)!… Expand
7 of 13 users found this helpful76
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9
KayadaySep 22, 2019
A brilliant, modern reflection of 2001: A Space Odyssey, with breathtaking visuals, tense and intrepid scenes, and underlying emotional and psychological battles. Ad Astra touches on mental health, strained relationships, and the need to goA brilliant, modern reflection of 2001: A Space Odyssey, with breathtaking visuals, tense and intrepid scenes, and underlying emotional and psychological battles. Ad Astra touches on mental health, strained relationships, and the need to go on when facing darkness. A true and artistic showcase of what Hollywood is capable of today.… Expand
7 of 13 users found this helpful76
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9
CornwallAdamsSep 24, 2019
AD ASTRA is one of the best movies I've seen all year. Going into the film, one should not expect an action extravaganza, but instead a psychological journey. Full of beautiful shots, amazing editing, and compelling performances.
7 of 13 users found this helpful76
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1
xerifeSep 21, 2019
Slow, boring and silly movie... a waste of time...I wanted to leave the theater but waited and waited to see if something extraordinary would happen towards the end and turn a bad movie into something worth it. didn't happen...
14 of 28 users found this helpful1414
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0
jwcritic123Sep 22, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This review contains spoilers, but really, is it possible to spoil dreck? What I find even more offensive than the existence of this God-awful, pretentiously-titled, horribly contrived, and plodding movie is the fact that prominent film critics are pretending to adore it. It’s as if a child with muddy sneakers walked around on a blank canvas and the experts proclaimed “Brilliant!”, “Marvelous!”, “A Master Work!”. Even the highly over-rated and ludicrous Gravity had a single redeeming feature: it was truly visually stunning. In contrast, many of the effects in Ad Astra are almost Buck Rogers amateurish, while at best the film breaks zero new ground in the CGI department. It’s rare that I watch a big budget feature movie and can’t find ANYTHING to praise. Plot, nope. The number of plot holes and suspension-of-beliefisms are far too numerous to track. The laws of physics be damned, your average Marvel comics flick is more scientifically plausible. Objects and astronauts hurtle toward each other at breakneck speeds only to magically slow down at the last second and thus avoid catastrophe. Buildings and ships in the vacuum of space have no apparent airlocks or failsafe devices, and all docking systems are universal no matter their age or origin. Let’s not even bother to place Brad in suspended animation as he travels to the outskirts of the solar system in a few weeks when a simple nap will do. Crazed carnivorous giant baboons as experimental space station test subjects, sure why not, what could possibly go wrong? Anonymous fearless moon pirates who attack 60’s-era government rovers for absolutely no evident reason, and cannot be successfully defended against even when said assaults are totally anticipated, go for it. And how about designing a manned exploratory mission in which the research vessel happens to contain a cosmic ray gadget that can somehow be programmed to obliterate the entire universe by a heroically unstable rogue commander (coincidentally, Brad Pitt’s erstwhile absentee daddy Tommy Lee Jones who grows a beard during a 29 year span but otherwise fails to age). Sets, nope. Imagine the human colonizers of Mars having the foresight to create an outlandishly textured giant room for the seemingly sole purpose of having Brad Pitt speak plaintively into a microphone while they monitor him from behind an incongruously low-tech metal grate. Character development, nope. Most of the participants barely attain two-dimensional status. The talents of actors such as Donald Sutherland, Liv Tyler, and Natasha Lyonne are totally squandered in roles too insubstantial to be even considered cameos. This is Brad’s biggest acting debacle since the dismal World War Z, and there’s not much to be said about poor Tommy Lee in this movie other than he must have needed the paycheck. Dialogue, God no! Stilted boring droning Pitt-narrations, and unrealistic sappy prose designed to jerk a tear from every duct (me and my family: frequent eye rolling and occasional incredulous hiccups of laughter). Pace, holy crap! Undoubtedly the worst aspect of this movie is that it is beyond glacially slow. However, unlike other overly long space epics, such as its slightly tedious venerable predecessor Silent Running, Ad Astra is definitely not worth the mind-numbing two hours and three very long minutes voyage.… Expand
11 of 22 users found this helpful1111
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10
PrncSep 20, 2019
Masterpiece! Only true movie lovers will get this film . Not for the unnecessary action film people.
11 of 22 users found this helpful1111
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0
DhSantaFeSep 22, 2019
I’m a sci-fi fan and was looking forward to this film. It was one of the worst sci-fi films I have ever seen. Correction: it was one of the worst films I’ve ever seen. Clearly, the producers thought that casting Pitt would excuse allI’m a sci-fi fan and was looking forward to this film. It was one of the worst sci-fi films I have ever seen. Correction: it was one of the worst films I’ve ever seen. Clearly, the producers thought that casting Pitt would excuse all shortcuts and low-budget cost-cutting that was needed.

With a budget of $85 million, reported, they clearly decided they could not afford to hire a reputable physicist-consultant. The abject disregard of physics made this film laughable. And pathetic. Want to see a film that actually thinks the laws of physics are real? Watch “The Expanse”, or better yet, read it, I was embarrassed to spend money seeing this film. I will lie if someone asks me if I’ve seen it.… Expand
11 of 22 users found this helpful1111
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0
inopinatusSep 28, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Excruciating, nails-down-the-blackboard stuff for anyone with a science education or familiarity with the works of Joseph Conrad or human behaviour. This hairdo edition of Heart of Darkness violates basic physics in practically every scene, and the storyline, far from reaching for the stars as the title might suggest, never gets past reaching for the mood stabiliser pills.

The narrative construction is ridiculous from start to finish, whether it's the confected "power surge" crisis, the moon pirates, the decades-long but oddly mundane exploratory mission, the Murderous Space Baboon (no, really), or the gross misunderstanding of Project Orion-style propulsion, and everything in between.

Brad Pitt's flat affect is ideal for portraying a man with a flat affect and unresolved issues with his father, but there's little depth of hidden feeling here.

The director intended for the film to feature "the most realistic depiction of space travel that's been put in a movie". Well, it ain't. It's one of the least realistic. The rocketry is drivel from start to finish. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky is turning in his grave. The depiction of orbital mechanics is not merely flawed; major plot elements of the film depend on them being radically different to real world physics.

There are three scenes with aerodynamic significance. In the first, where aerodynamics are used to create a false sense of danger, there isn't any real danger, and in the second and third, the director seems to be entirely unaware that in the real world the maneuvers depicted would be sensationally difficult, dangerous, and probably fatal.

The idea that a spaceship on interplanetary transfer can make a quick "stop" to board another one is as absurd as the (impossibly) brief transfer they were already making. Basically the director has assumed that humans can survive G-forces that would turn real people into smeared pulp.

The energy physics of the confected "crisis" involving "antimatter surges" is just invented babble.

The idea of traveling to Mars, in person just to radio Neptune is drivel. We already have bidirectional radios and relay stations reaching further.

The psychology of every crew depicted has more in common with schlocky sci-fi-horror video games than with real-world hiring practices. Basically it's your choice between steely-eyed-missile-men, or hopeless flakes that in a highly regulated society (such as that depicted) would never have been in a cockpit at all.

There isn't a single scene that stands up to a moment's scientific scrutiny. Comparisons with 2001, Gravity, or even Interstellar are just bunk.

There isn't a single scene of literary significance, either. Comparisons with Heart of Darkness are fair, but unlike Coppola's work, only negative ones. All the allegorical significance is clobbered by the effort to portray a character rather than a society.

In the end, it turns out that Ruth Negga's turn as a burned-out Martian is the only good thing in this film, and her outfit rocks.… Expand
8 of 16 users found this helpful88
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9
solomonster54Sep 22, 2019
Best sci-fi film I’ve seen since Arrival. Interesting plot and great performances.
7 of 14 users found this helpful77
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10
Goldfulmean10Sep 23, 2019
This movie didn't feel as grand as other space movies like Interstellar, but it was a perfect character study that was beautifully shot.
6 of 12 users found this helpful66
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9
GinaKSep 24, 2019
This is one of the best films I have seen this year. Brad Pitt is superb – and he has to be since he is on camera throughout almost the entire film. The film itself looks amazing and I was never bored, but sadly it is not as great asThis is one of the best films I have seen this year. Brad Pitt is superb – and he has to be since he is on camera throughout almost the entire film. The film itself looks amazing and I was never bored, but sadly it is not as great as Kubrick’s masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey or as original as Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and Alien. But Ad Astra is beautifully realized (I saw it in Dolby), and it has that terrific performance by Brad Pitt.… Expand
5 of 10 users found this helpful55
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4
tenoutoftenSep 30, 2019
I'm genuinely baffled by how it is possible for some viewers to be moved by this appalling piece of garbage calling itself a movie. It's random shots stitched together with virtually no plot. Ludicrous.
5 of 10 users found this helpful55
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8
JokohamaSep 24, 2019
A sci-fi movie with pleasant realistic visual and quite comfortable pace to watch. The story could be more polish, then it would be perfect.
5 of 10 users found this helpful55
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8
thegldtSep 21, 2019
Ad Astra seemed like two distinct movies stitched together right down the middle. The first half is kinetic and action-filled as advertised in the trailers. The dizzying space fall, horror-esque SOS detour, and intense moon rover chaseAd Astra seemed like two distinct movies stitched together right down the middle. The first half is kinetic and action-filled as advertised in the trailers. The dizzying space fall, horror-esque SOS detour, and intense moon rover chase sequences, in particular, were equal parts heart-pounding and visually striking. I don't think I've ever seen a vehicle chase on the moon executed this viscerally before.

Everything switches gears in the midpoint when Brad Pitt's Roy McBride reaches the red planet. The film practically loses its exciting energy when it finally decides to focus on the main conflict of the story: Roy's relationship with his father (or the lack thereof). The film suddenly feels plaintive, ruminative, and lonely—especially against the backdrop of the vast emptiness of space.

To its credit, 'Ad Astra' maintains A+ cinematography and other-worldly imagery throughout its respectable two-hour runtime. If you allow me, I'd even compare this film's gorgeous and mystifying visuals to that of Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey' (*film grain included). It's a visual treat and Max Richter's hauntingly beautiful score is the icing on top of this cosmic cake.

Perhaps I would've enjoyed this more if it had just a little payoff on the extraterrestrial intelligence front, but that whole "search for alien life" aspect was not the point of this story—which really is (in contrast to the marketing) a dark and stoic expedition to strip apart complex father-son dynamics and question our definitions of masculinity (and where love, longing, and fragility fit in to the idea of a "man" or heroic figures).… Expand
5 of 10 users found this helpful55
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8
jeseminxSep 21, 2019
Definitely in my top 5 favorite movies of the year. The cinematography is breathtaking, the visuals are amazing, and Brad Pitt gives quite possibly the best performance of his career. The only complaint is there are some slight pacing issuesDefinitely in my top 5 favorite movies of the year. The cinematography is breathtaking, the visuals are amazing, and Brad Pitt gives quite possibly the best performance of his career. The only complaint is there are some slight pacing issues and theres about 15 minutes or so where it starts to feel sort of generic, but besides that, a fantastic movie.… Expand
5 of 10 users found this helpful55
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6
ohnomrbillSep 20, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 2001 meets Gravity meets Blade runner meets 2010. starts out great and interesting but halfway through starts to fall apart a bit. when he causes the death of those innocent people who were travelling to Neptune and he ends up doing what they were going to do anyway ??? WTF? seems to have gotten away with it and not held accountable for those deaths. great special effects. i just wish they would stop using very familiar actors over and over again.… Expand
4 of 8 users found this helpful44
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3
SeussMyTubOct 2, 2019
Brad Pitt as an astronaut who is sent on a mission to contact his father (Tommy Lee Jones as another astronaut) who supposedly went missing almost 30 years ago. It's got big ideas, but it falls totally flat. I didnt like the world buildingBrad Pitt as an astronaut who is sent on a mission to contact his father (Tommy Lee Jones as another astronaut) who supposedly went missing almost 30 years ago. It's got big ideas, but it falls totally flat. I didnt like the world building and the huge plot holes didnt help either. I have no idea why critics would even like this movie.… Expand
4 of 8 users found this helpful44
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9
DeanomiteDec 9, 2019
A much better film than expected. I appreciate movies that are obviously the product of a great deal of effort in visual accomplishment, which this movie has in spades. The emptiness of space, commentary on consumer culture and surprisingA much better film than expected. I appreciate movies that are obviously the product of a great deal of effort in visual accomplishment, which this movie has in spades. The emptiness of space, commentary on consumer culture and surprising plot twists were all up to par.… Expand
3 of 6 users found this helpful33
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4
kpb1973Oct 7, 2019
One of the most thematically and emotionally confused films i've seen in many years.

The point of the movie is seemingly to explore father-son dynamics, the burden of isolation, how the near-space of our minds might just be more importantOne of the most thematically and emotionally confused films i've seen in many years.

The point of the movie is seemingly to explore father-son dynamics, the burden of isolation, how the near-space of our minds might just be more important than the deep-space of our ambitions - plus a multitude of other worthy subjects in between.

To do this, the film-makers have assembled a stellar cast, tremendous visual effects and exceptional set design.

With such an armoury at their disposal, how could Grey, Pitt and co fail?

Well...chuck in some psychopathic space monkeys, illogical interplanetary journeys, loaded-for-bear lunar pirate carjackers, countless instances of laughably improbable (and I mean utterly ridiculous) science and you're halfway to Oblivion. No pun intended.

At regular intervals come scenes that are so far-fetched that they ask less of a "willing suspension of disbelief" and promise more of an "insult to your intelligence". The metal panel through the rings of Neptune was extraordinary in this regards, but it is just one of MANY that punctured any bond I had with the underlying themes the film is trying to explore.

Additionally, Pitt's transformation from sociopath to social worker is practically instantaneous and therefore unconvincing (although the moments of high emotion that he does show are well delivered) and Lee's character is even more unlikeable. The fact there is no opportunity for them to bond, bounce off and understand each other leaves an emotional void even greater than some of the plot mechanics.

In trying to weave high art themes with low brow science, there whole film just feels disconnected - from its component parts, from its lofty intentions and indeed from many of its audience.… Expand
3 of 6 users found this helpful33
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6
BikerjamesOct 7, 2019
I don't mind the slow pacing - but the movie really pushes the limits of believability in many scenes. I actually chuckled at the ridiculousness of certain scenes, especially when he used a shield through a rock field which not only did notI don't mind the slow pacing - but the movie really pushes the limits of believability in many scenes. I actually chuckled at the ridiculousness of certain scenes, especially when he used a shield through a rock field which not only did not push him backwards but didn't change his course, and he somehow projected the trajectory back to his craft perfectly from a spinning turbine. WOW. Although Brad Pitt is fine in the roll, I didn't feel a connection to him, and didn't feel the connection between him and his father either. The overall look of the film is excellent and its saving grace. I'm still not sure what was causing the electrical surges that was taking place throughout the universe, but some of the dialogue was muddied here and there and difficult to decipher. People sitting around me were complaining about the slow pacing when the film ended. The film reminded me of a space version of Apocalypse Now, where the destination is a mad man and the journey getting there is treacherous and death. Ad Astra is not at the level of that masterpiece of course, but maybe worth seeing for the overall visual look.… Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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