Mini Film Review – Moonfall

Last night I watched Moonfall; and it was pretty good! Directed by Roland Emmerich, and starring Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry, and John Bradley; Moonfall is a Science Fiction Disaster Movie about a group of astronauts who race to save the world, when the Moon has been knocked out of orbit due to a mysterious entity! Much like previous Roland Emmerich disaster movies, the film likes to set-up character backstories, and give them something to fight for, when called into action. To this end the film weaves in some early suspense with fractured family dramas, which then start to piece themselves back together. It also creates some interesting characters, and kind of like the original Mothra; takes the bold decision to make the comic relief very much a central character. But it’s not all hugs and relationships (and a cat with an awesome name); as the Moon is shifting towards the Earth. The closer it gets, the more intense the film gets; but with this intensity, comes beautifully crafted visual effects. Whilst the idea of the film is a bit over the top (with the Moon crashing into the Earth); the film isn’t over the top with it’s effects, choosing to be more sparingly with what it decides to show. So when the time comes for big things to happen, we get what we need to make it all look believable, like it’s actually happening. I do feel like some of Emmerich’s more recent films have declined in realistic and aesthetic details in the VFX department, but here, it’s simply beautiful. And as the film carries on, it continues to shine, and create truly awe inspiring shots. It’s like peering into the mind of a visual visionary. Plus, as the film starts to get closer to the Moon; the story goes down some unexpected, and surprising routes, things you didn’t see coming, and decides not to end on cliché’s, but create a pretty cool anti-climax. It was like a Michael Crichton techno-thriller coming to life. It’s not the deepest drama, nor is it the most majestic mystery; but what it is is a superb science fiction movie, and a delicious disaster movie too!