Rating: «««
out of ««««
Running Time: 132 minutes
This film from Apple Studios and Sony Pictures opens at theaters on Friday, July 12.
It has become very clear in the last couple of years that the model for distributing feature films is rapidly changing… or at least, is getting more and more confusing. High-profile studio titles like Beverly Hills Cop: Alex F are now premiering on streaming sites. The new romantic-comedy Fly Me to the Moon was also produced with the intention of debuting on Apple+. However, test screenings were so strong that the picture is now being released at movie theaters (its streaming debut has been pushed back and is undetermined). So, does the positive advance buzz justify its appearance at cinemas?
Set during the Space Race in the late 1960s, the story begins with the U.S. lagging behind the Soviet Union in sending a man to the moon and public interest in the project dwindling. A fast-talking, deceitful advertising specialist Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson) is approached by mysterious government official Moe Berkus (Woody Harrelson) and manipulated into taking on a project at NASA. Using her marketing expertise, she is told to drum up public and government support for their program. Shortly after arriving, Kelly butts heads with tightly-wound, stressed launch director Cole Davis (Channing Tatum), who doesn’t approve of her methods. Despite their differences, sparks fly, but their complicated relationship is further tested when Moe demands that Kelly secretly stage an “alternate” Moon landing for worldwide audiences.
There are some hilarious moments early on as the two central characters get to know one another and bicker over their predicament. Cole prides himself on being truthful and focusing his attention on the mission, while Kelly is determined to promote and market NASA using any means necessary. When the launch director insists that his staff and crew not pursue publicity endeavors, Kelly’s underhanded methods are funny to witness. Johansson and Tatum display plenty of onscreen chemistry and it’s a blast to see the performers play off of each other for chuckles.
Several supporting characters are also given humorous material. In his role, Harrelson manages to combine an intimidating streak with amusingly pointed observations. Self-centered and extraordinarily difficult T.V.-commercial director Lance Vespertine (Jim Rash), who is called in to help stage the moon landing, also makes an impression. A couple of the NASA team members stand out too, including the sweet-natured Henry Small (Ray Romano), who gets himself unintentionally caught up in an amusing scam or two by the advertising expert.
The 1960s production design and costuming is also vibrant and easy on the eyes. This is a very attractive-looking movie that is beautifully lit by director of photography Dariusz Wolski (Prometheus, The Martian, Napoleon). Eagle-eyed viewers will be amused to see Wolski himself appear in the film as the spacey cinematographer hired by Lance to light the fake moon landing.
There is plenty to like, but the movie isn’t without a few problems. The first hour is extremely entertaining, but as the romance turns serious, the launch date approaches and tragic elements about both leads’ past are discovered, the pacing suffers. It is revealed Cole was in command of the failed Apollo 1 mission and, as pressure mounts, the tone turns serious and excessively earnest. The film eventually regains its comedic chops during the finale, but this comes after a sluggish 20 minutes or so of oversized emotional beats that feel forced.
Still, these are relatively minor issues. The picture does falter after the midway point, but is generally charming and, despite its origins, does look like a project that was made for the big screen. It doesn’t quite reach the stratosphere, but Fly Me to the Moon is a pleasant voyage that will entertain rom-com fans and anyone just looking for an amusing time at the movies.
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By Glenn Kay
For the Sun
