MOVIE REVIEW: FLY ME TO THE MOON

 

Sparks fly between a marketing executive and a NASA official as he makes preparations for the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Director: Greg Berlanti

Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Jim Rash, Anna Garcia, Donald Elise Watkins, Noah Robbins, Colin Woodell, Christian Zuber, Nick Dillenburg, Ray Romano, Woody Harrelson

Release Date: July 12, 2024

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Rated PG-13 for some strong language, and smoking

Runtime: 2h 11m

Review:

Fly Me to the Moon is a charming rom-com throwback carried by Scarlett Johansson who ably guides the film over some of its more glaring missteps.  Greg Berlanti's film is generally lighthearted and fizzy making it easily digestible onscreen even though he struggles to a nail the overall tone he's shooting for.  There's a handful of choppy transition in tones as the film covers more serious subject matter such as Vietnam War and the Apollo 1 tragedy.  Their inclusion makes sense but with the rest of the fictional story playing it very light those moments are all the more jarring.  When the film is focused on the central romance and Johansson's character in particular there's a noticeable bump in energy.  Johansson is magnetic as the ad exec brought in to "sell" the moon by giving her a believable sense of charisma, drive and determination.  It’s a confident turn that drives the entire film which she pulls off with impressive ease.  She's the most interesting on screen for the majority of the film's overlong runtime.  Channing Tatum doesn't fare quite as well as he delivers a serviceable but stiff performance that rarely matches Johansson's energy.  It doesn't help that they don't have much romantic chemistry with their early antagonistic exchanges working better than the romantic side.   Tatum tries his best to give the character an air of tortured regret over the Apollo 1 tragedy, but it doesn't quite land the way it should.  Woody Harrelson, on the other hand, is in his wheelhouse playing the mysterious spook that recruits Johansson's Kelly Jones and devises the fall back plan.  Harrelson brings the perfect mix of playful and menacing to his character who is constantly hovering in the background.  Jim Rash brings his manic, over the top energy as the director tasked with filming the actual contingency plan.  Anna Garcia, Donald Elise Watkins and Noah Robbins have smaller supporting roles but make the most of their screen time even though it’s a bit confounding that film makes such little use of Ray Romano's earnest energy.  There's a handful of issues like that which really keep Fly Me to the Moon from hitting out of the park in spite of Johansson's inspired turn.

B-