Carl Roberts 
“Fly Me To The Moon is light, refreshing, bubbly and a great night out at the movies. With the central pairing, the film takes off with ease.”
Fly Me To The Moon is a romantic comedy set in the 1960s. Directed by Greg Berlanti from a screenplay by Rose Gilroy, the film stars Scarlett Johansson, and Channing Tatum as its leads. Also featuring Jim Rash, Anna Garcia, and Donald Elise Watkins. Noah Robbins, Colin Woodell, Christian Zuber, Nick Dillenburg, Ray Romano, and Woody Harrelson, the film follows the relationship between a marketing specialist and a NASA director during the 1960s Space Race. With such a great pairing as its leads, can the film hit the stratosphere or does it fall back to earth with a bump?
PREMISE
During the 1960s Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union, a relationship develops between the NASA director in charge of the Apollo 11 launch and the marketing specialist brought in to fix NASA’s public image and stage a “back-up” fake Moon landing.
THOUGHTS
As the film starts, we are informed via a voiceover that the film is a true(ish) version of real-life events. This could easily be a problem for films such as this, straying into dangerous territory and casting the truth into question. However, the film is a delightful time-waster that doesn’t outstay its welcome. It doesn’t hit the stratosphere but it does enough to soar high into the sky. To be honest, at times I felt I was back in the 1960s, watching all those Doris Day/ Rock Hudson rom-coms that are screened on Saturday afternoons on TV. It has that kind of vibe to it. Of course, it pushes the envelope further than those classic movies by containing more risky, slightly more adult comedy and events to it. But it is an enjoyable movie all the same.
The film also contains a good dollop of drama to go alongside the comedic aspects. With Scarlett Johansson’s character, we get to learn the real truth about her. Her past, and why she does what she does. With Channing Tatum, we get to see the anger, anguish and feelings of guilt behind a decision his character made that cost the lives of three astronauts (the Apollo 1 disaster.) These moments lend the film a grounded sense of reality, compared to the comedic aspects of the movie. Hand in hand, these two elements make the film work well while also dragging it back from hitting the heights it aims for.
SCARLETT JOHANSSON
Scarlett Johansson as Kelly Jones shows her comedic chops as well as proving again that she is a terrific dramatic actress when the need or material calls for it. An early sign of the actress’s comedic timing comes during a scene where three businessmen at an advertising meeting mistake Kelly for a pregnant secretary coming in to take notes and serve coffee. The scene also demonstrates the sexism that occurred during the time period. Kelly uses everything in her arsenal to get the guys onside. Sexuality, comedic anecdotes, a wake-up call for the men she’s dealing with and showing her acute business brain. When the truth about her emerges, we feel more empathy for her. But during the ride, Scarlett Johansson installs a likeable quality to Kelly, causing the audience to adore her.
CHANNING TATUM
Channing Tatum displays everything he’s got in his role as Cole Davis. Davis is the one leading the American side of the space race. Preparing Apollo 11 for its historic mission to the moon. He also was in charge when the Apollo 1 disaster occurred, leaving him with deep-seated memories of feelings of blame. Davis also has an emotional side that we don’t expect in a romantic comedy like this. Tatum shows he can be a dramatic actor to contend with alongside the comedic aspects on display.
It is a heartfelt performance, both warm at times as well as cold. His dislike and distrust of Kelly at the start of their working relationship slowly thaw until they become dependent on each other. To see each other’s feelings and points of view. The pairing is an effective one, playing off each other well. We can actually believe what we are seeing on screen.
SUPPORTING CAST
The supporting cast all play their roles well. But special plaudits have to go out to Jim Rash as Lance Vespertine who brings a wonderfully flamboyant, diva-ish and hilarious performance. Ray Romano as Henry Smalls, Cole’s co-worker on the mission brings out an emotional acting performance, one that actually holds the material together well, giving us a look at his more serious, dramatic side to go along with his comedic persona. Anna Garcia as Kelly’s friend is wonderful throughout.
However, even in such a small cameo role, it is Woody Harrelson that makes the biggest impression. As Moe Berkus, a mysterious Government agent, he appears from time to time, making us nervous when he is on screen. We don’t know which way he will go, whether he’s being charming to hide the nastiness behind his smile. If he’s being comedic to offset his threats, or if he’s simply being himself. Harrelson is wonderful as always. He even gets his own small time to shine near the climax of the film.
THE VISUAL EFFECTS
Kudos have to be given to the special effects seen in the film. We can see the join at times between the real stock footage of the actual launch and the visual effects that go alongside them. It is a join that although isn’t seamless, adds to the enjoyment level of what we see on screen. Throw in the way that footage of the Lunar landing is interspersed with the recreated ‘Fake’ moon landing and we can only marvel at what we are seeing. And it also leads to some hilarity along the way.
WRITING AND DIRECTING
The screenplay by Rose Gilroy is fairly straightforward as things go. It is a romantic comedy, what more would you expect? However, what she has done is craft a tale that grips us as well as amuse us. By using the story of the events of 1969 and the conspiracy theories that have been presented over the years, it is a story that we are engrossed in. Whether what we are seeing on the more serious side is truthful or not is always going to be up for question. But by taking the premise and crafting a rom-com out of it, Rose Gilroy has delivered something that we can all sit back and enjoy.
The direction from Greg Berlanti is assured. His use of the period, its recreation and the events that occurred have been keenly captured by the director. His use of visual effects alongside the real stock footage goes a long way to convincing us what we are seeing is real. He elicits great performances from his cast, and he captures the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida in its full glory. The film looks amazing all the way through, bringing gasps from some of the audience at what they are seeing. Throw in a terrific musical soundtrack featuring some of the best music from the period as well as an incredible score by Daniel Pemberton and Berlanti has given us a great crowd-pleaser.
VERDICT
Fly Me To The Moon is light, refreshing, bubbly and a great night out at the movies. With the central pairing, the film takes off with ease. Through this retelling of the true (ish) events that inspired the film, the audience can easily sit back and allow themselves to be entertained. Being a romantic comedy, we don’t really need to engage our brains to know how the film will end. But getting there is a joy. With some comedic scenes that will have the audience chuckling into their popcorn as well as having some emotional scenes that we don’t expect, the film manages to fly higher than we would expect.
It isn’t always plain sailing (flying?). Some aspects of the film leave a bit to be desired, some of the more technical aspects may have the audience scratching their heads. And having the brains to know where the film is heading and how it will end takes the shine off of it somewhat. But most audiences won’t worry about such things. They will go and see the film to be entertained. In this respect, the film achieves what it sets out to do. It won’t fly you to the moon with its blend of comedy, romance and drama. But it will give the audience an uplifting feeling as they leave the cinema. A good effort and a worthy watch.
Fly Me To The Moon is released in cinemas on July 11th in the UK. And on July 12th in the United States.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
