'Fly Me to the Moon' is better than it looks.
This is not a criticism of the marketing campaign for the space race romantic comedy about a NASA man and a marketing savant tasked with selling the moon mission. It speaks more to the current state of moviegoing.
A film like this, featuring stars like Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, with a polished look, an original concept, and a catchy title, is not a common sight at local theaters. We are used to seeing such films and assuming they are either big-budget streaming productions or fake movies within movies meant for laughs.
Both assumptions are partly correct, with the former being true as 'Fly Me to the Moon' is an Apple production released in theaters through Sony's Columbia Pictures before its streaming date has been announced.
The film is directed by Greg Berlanti, known for 'Love, Simon' and 'Life as We Know It.' The script by Rose Gilroy and the story offer a lighthearted and breezy tone, allowing Johansson to shine as the savvy Kelly Jones. Channing Tatum, along with a talented supporting cast, delivers a decent performance, although the lack of dramatic stakes can be a drawback.
'Fly Me to the Moon' is a slow-paced movie, with the main selling point not introduced until later in the film. Attempts to reference the era and the Apollo 11 mission may come off as superficial, but the chemistry between Johansson and Tatum is a highlight.
The film is at its best when it doesn't take itself too seriously. Johansson and Tatum's modern take on classic Hollywood pairs is a refreshing concept, even if the execution falls short at times.
'Fly Me to the Moon,' a release from Apple Original Films/Columbia Pictures, is rated PG-13 for some strong language and smoking, with a running time of 132 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.
