"Fly Me to the Moon": A Rocket-Fueled Mess of Missed Opportunities
Scarlett Johansson, the action-packed Black Widow, takes a turn in the romantic comedy genre with "Fly Me to the Moon," a film that attempts to launch itself into the stratosphere of entertaining storytelling but ends up crashing into a celestial graveyard of missed opportunities.
The film follows Kelly Jones (Johansson), a highly skilled marketing and public relations executive tasked by the US government to reignite public interest in NASA and the space race. She finds herself entangled with a charming but awkwardly brilliant rocket scientist, Cole Davis (Channing Tatum). This unlikely pairing forms the core of the film’s romantic subplot, an element that feels inherently forced and uninspired.
"Fly Me to the Moon" is plagued by an identity crisis. It tries to be a heart-warming romance, a nail-biting thriller, a thought-provoking commentary on social issues, and a stirring tribute to the Apollo 11 mission – all at once. This ambition, however, leads to a chaotic narrative that feels disjointed and lacks focus.
The director, Greg Berlanti, known for his work in the superhero-filled Arrowverse, struggles to maintain any semblance of cohesion. The film jumps erratically between genres, with moments of light-hearted humor colliding with intense dramatic reveals and politically charged subplots. This lack of consistency leaves the audience constantly off-balance, unable to fully engage with any particular aspect of the story.
Johansson, as always, delivers a competent performance, seamlessly embodying the assertive and cunning persona of Kelly. However, Tatum struggles to find his footing, often appearing uncomfortable and out of place in the role of the intellectually gifted Cole. The script fails to provide him with the necessary depth and complexity to convincingly portray a man of his supposed stature.
The supporting cast, while capable, are relegated to one-dimensional roles. Ray Romano, as the good-natured Henry Smalls, a fellow engineer on Cole’s team, provides some much-needed comic relief, but even his presence feels more like a coping mechanism for the film’s shortcomings rather than a genuine contribution to the plot.
Despite its shortcomings, "Fly Me to the Moon" occasionally shines. The film utilizes visually stunning sequences depicting rocket launches, capturing the awe and excitement of such a grand undertaking. A surprising twist involving a recurring black cat element adds a touch of intrigue, and Jim Rash, playing the self-absorbed fake moon landing director, Lance Vespertine, brings an infectious energy to his role.
However, these moments of brilliance pale in comparison to the film’s overall weaknesses. The constant shifting between genres, the lack of compelling character development, and the overwhelming amount of unrelated subplots ultimately create a cinematic experience that feels cluttered and unfocused.
"Fly Me to the Moon" is a missed opportunity. It holds the potential for a captivating story filled with romance, adventure, and intrigue. Instead, it becomes a jumbled mess of conflicting tones and poorly-defined characters. The film leaves the audience questioning what it was trying to achieve, ultimately landing with a disappointing thud.
Key takeaways:
- "Fly Me to the Moon" suffers from a severe identity crisis.
- The film struggles with inconsistent tone and a lack of strong character development.
- While visually appealing, the film lacks a cohesive narrative and fails to fully engage the audience.
- Scarlett Johansson delivers a competent performance, but Channing Tatum struggles to find his footing.
- The supporting cast, while capable, are underutilized and overshadowed by the film’s chaotic narrative.
Overall, "Fly Me to the Moon" is a film that attempts to reach for the stars but ultimately stumbles and falls back to Earth.
