The story emerges from a different perspective of the Apollo 11 moon landing. It shows a backstory to the incredible NASA minds behind the operation.
The main characters are Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson), Cole Davis (Channing Tatum), Moe Berkus (Woody Harrelson) and Henry Smalls (Ray Romano). Cole's backstory really stands out to me because of how sensitive he is about his job after the Apollo 1 mission tragedy. Cole blames himself, as the mission control manager, that the crew died. It's interesting to see how that affects his relationship with others and himself. I also like the character Kelly because she's a strong female leader. It's nice to see her being the reason NASA accomplishes so much in the movie. The people around her are in awe of what she is capable of doing and I appreciate the screenwriters making an empowering female the main character. Next, the sets are incredible because they interpret the buildings and the technology at the time so well. I also like the cinematography, especially when Kelly and Cole fly in his private jet. The view is breathtaking and convincing to the viewer. I especially like how real footage from the mission is included. It makes the scenes--like during the rocket launch and first walk on the moon--more genuine. While loosely based on a true story, this film is mostly fictional and deviates from real history. Additionally, the costumes are fantastic; my favorites are the astronaut suits. One thing that is lacking is there isn't much comedy, which is disappointing. Some moments of the plot are slow, as well. My favorite part is the take-off of the rocket, which is visually breathtaking. A cloud of bright fire surrounds the rocket until it's left with orange hues as it takes off into the atmosphere. Real footage is balanced with CGI in alternating shots, which has a great and clever effect. That is just a very special moment.
The film's message is to be yourself and not run from what scares you. Kelly repeats she's used to running from her past and she doesn't want to anymore. Another key theme is to always be truthful, even if other people don't believe it. There is mild cursing in this film, so watch out for that.
I give Fly Me to the Moon 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Fly Me to the Moon releases in theaters July 12, 2024 and on Apple TV+ at a later date.
By Sydney S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14
Fly Me to The Moon is a sharp, well written, blast of a film that exceeded all my expectations. It's witty comedy, stylization, and its surprisingly heartfelt love story at the heart of it all, cements Fly Me to The Moon as one of the best movies of the year.
Set during the late 1960s, Fly Me to The Moon follows NASA's Apollo 11 mission to send the first humans to the moon, but it takes a different approach in telling the well-known story. Originally hired by NASA to boost its reputation and gain public traction for the Apollo 11 mission, Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson) is tasked with organizing a backup landing, in case the real landing is unsuccessful. She meets launch director Cole (Channing Tatum), and the two must grapple with the ethicality of inauthenticity and the perilous stakes of failing the mission.
Fly Me to The Moon leans heavily into the comedy genre, providing a humorous retelling of the consequential 1960s space race. Every single cast member impressively nails their comedic timing. The excellent writing delivers a mix of physical and verbal comedy, all of which lands. Beyond the two leads' lighthearted and hilarious dynamic, Jim Rash's witty director Lance steals the show. Lance is recruited by Kelly to handle NASA's backup landing and he is just a blast to watch. One of the film's greatest strengths is also a weakness though, as sometimes the more comedic tones and the dramatic tones don't clash well. Often, a scene filled with hilarious jokes will be followed by a contrastingly touching scene and vice-versa, which results in much of the emotional impact being stripped away. Fly Me to The Moon is a fantastic period piece, embracing a retro aesthetic in its sets, costumes, music, and overall feel. The entire movie produces a sense of nostalgia for this time, even for those not there to see it. The sets are shockingly large in scale, and feel authentic in emulating the 1960s era. Dariusz Wolski's cinematography is a standout, and there are countless bold and incredible shots in the film. The cinematography paired with incredible editing results in Fly Me to The Moon's largely distinct style. Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum are perfectly cast in this film, not just for their individual portrayals of their characters, but their undeniable chemistry with each other. Thanks to the writing, and the two actors, Kelly and Cole feel like real human beings. We get glimpses at their motivations and flaws, which makes us root for them all the more. The dynamic between the two is perfect, and they fit together very well on screen.
Fly Me to The Moon has what so many films are missing today; optimism. Not only is it entertaining, but it's truly uplifting. It is a hilarious, stylish, and pleasing movie that is the perfect summer treat for the whole family.
I give Fly Me to The Moon 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Fly Me to The Moon releases in theaters July 12, 2024.
By Daniel S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16
This is the best movie I've watched all year! Fly Me to the Moon is a wonderful and compelling motion picture that takes you on a whirlwind adventure showing you exactly what it means to get everything ready for launch day.
Brought in to help NASA get back on the good side of the American public, Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson) a marketing know-it-all, revs up NASA's marketing program much to the dismay and annoyance of launch director Cole Davis (Channing Tatum). When problems ensue getting the rocket ready for launch day, Kelly is told to stage a back up version of the moon landing in case things go awry. Now, she has to figure out a way to do the impossible. Land a man on the moon, and yet never leave Earth.
Everything in this movie is spot on. From the details put into making sure the food stays in line with the timeframe, to showing how one of the smallest creatures plays one of the biggest roles in this story. I really love the music -- it's upbeat at times, and mysterious at others. It definitely impacts the emotions every scene -- kudos to the director, Greg Berlanti and music director, Daniel Pemberton. The screenplay by Rose Gilroy has some of the best writing that I have seen. I love the dialogue between the characters, which is peppered with humor and a bit of romance. Cole and Kelly's chemistry softens out this production, and sweetens the overall impact. It's hard to choose a favorite thing in this film, but I'm going to go with the cat who reminds me a lot of my own. He is very curious about everything the team is working on. This is a very dramatic movie from start to finish. I'm glad that there isn't much of a low point. Neither Kelly nor Cole's past is dwelled upon; we just learn enough to give us depth and insight into their personalities. This is definitely a movie that I already want to see again.
The film's message is that you don't have to fake it to make it. Though the government wanted a staged moon landing to secure a win in the space race, Kelly finds out that sometimes you can be authentic and get the same results. Be aware that there is some profanity in this film and lots of smoking -- it was 1969, after all.
I give Fly Me to the Moon 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Fly Me to the Moon will rocket into theaters on July 12, 2024.
By Braedyn M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15
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