Asteri-Atypical
Joined Aug 1999
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Reviews124
Asteri-Atypical's rating
I've certainly seen worse movies. Let me start with the good. While not terribly innovative, by today's megabucks standards, the effects were certainly a spectacle. So I give it an odd for eye candy, in that regard. Same for the action; although it's getting to be a bit cookie-cutter for Marvel movies, these days. No "wow" factor.
For the not-so-good... this movie definitely seemed more aimed at kids than the vast majority of Marvel movies. Especially when compared to the classic modern Marvels, such as Captain America: Original Avenger, or the original Thor. The characters were more than a little thin. There was a certain character epiphany which came far too easily, without substance, or ability to empathize with the character (if you see the movie, you'll know which one I'm talking about). No real character development, or substance. The villain was stereotypical, with uninspired motivations. Only one "hook" made it interesting (but that will require other movies to explore)
Let's not even get into the potential plot holes or pseudoscience.
All in all, it's OK for a pastime movie to shut your brain off for a bit, and to know you've seen all the main Marvel installments. But it's less intellectual than other Marvel fare. And yes - I know what I'm writing. LOL...
For the not-so-good... this movie definitely seemed more aimed at kids than the vast majority of Marvel movies. Especially when compared to the classic modern Marvels, such as Captain America: Original Avenger, or the original Thor. The characters were more than a little thin. There was a certain character epiphany which came far too easily, without substance, or ability to empathize with the character (if you see the movie, you'll know which one I'm talking about). No real character development, or substance. The villain was stereotypical, with uninspired motivations. Only one "hook" made it interesting (but that will require other movies to explore)
Let's not even get into the potential plot holes or pseudoscience.
All in all, it's OK for a pastime movie to shut your brain off for a bit, and to know you've seen all the main Marvel installments. But it's less intellectual than other Marvel fare. And yes - I know what I'm writing. LOL...
Bottom line, in my view, this could go either way.
They threw in a few decent elements, such as the connection with the original (instead of rebooting it, or dismissing it, entirely), a couple decent actors, and the potential of a mystery or Sam even being seen.
Where it falls down is that those decent elements didn't mix. I'm not sure if it's just a bit undercooked, still, and needs to simmer, or if it will come together in other episodes, but for the pilot, it's not there.
I have a problem with the "guide" / hologram being a romantic entanglement. For one, with that kind of emotional liability, it's unrealistic. Oh, sure, a show like this can leave "real" behind, but only if there's a payoff for having done so. This has the feel of just throwing it in there for the sake of drama. And made worse by the fact I felt NO chemistry between these two.
Speaking of the hologram - they have Ernie Hudson in the cast, and he's not it??? He's sidelined? Come on! He would have been far superior to Ms-no-chemistry,
Lee as Ben is passable. He's no Bakula, and seems a bit young-ish for the role, but he's better than feared.
The first story was a bit banal, and they didn't launch us into this new world very well. I am not confident in the writing.
For now, I'll wait and see where this goes. The big payoffs would be IF we happen to get Sam in one or more of the episodes, and whatever mysteries might unfold. Time will tell. Pun intended.
They threw in a few decent elements, such as the connection with the original (instead of rebooting it, or dismissing it, entirely), a couple decent actors, and the potential of a mystery or Sam even being seen.
Where it falls down is that those decent elements didn't mix. I'm not sure if it's just a bit undercooked, still, and needs to simmer, or if it will come together in other episodes, but for the pilot, it's not there.
I have a problem with the "guide" / hologram being a romantic entanglement. For one, with that kind of emotional liability, it's unrealistic. Oh, sure, a show like this can leave "real" behind, but only if there's a payoff for having done so. This has the feel of just throwing it in there for the sake of drama. And made worse by the fact I felt NO chemistry between these two.
Speaking of the hologram - they have Ernie Hudson in the cast, and he's not it??? He's sidelined? Come on! He would have been far superior to Ms-no-chemistry,
Lee as Ben is passable. He's no Bakula, and seems a bit young-ish for the role, but he's better than feared.
The first story was a bit banal, and they didn't launch us into this new world very well. I am not confident in the writing.
For now, I'll wait and see where this goes. The big payoffs would be IF we happen to get Sam in one or more of the episodes, and whatever mysteries might unfold. Time will tell. Pun intended.
It's interesting to consider films like this, and contrast with films which might be considered similar, in ways, like The Abyss.
Abyss might have been as dumb and cringeworthy as Moonfall, had it been executed as poorly. The basic concepts were similar, in some ways (which I won't get into here). But while Abyss made us marvel, Moonfall made me roll my eyes.
I can only guess the central concept was pitched by someone else, then Emmerich got a hold of it, ran with it, and ultimately destroyed it, in script and execution.
There were any number of stupid aspects to this film, from the technology, to some of the human decisions. In a human sense, it was banal, at best. Stereotyped and 2D. From a technical standpoint... hoo, boy. Can't even begin to get into them all! It looks like Emmerich Googled a couple scientific terms and concepts of a Moon approaching Earth... then neglected everything else. Not the least of which, Shuttles don't just launch on demand, without support, and other vehicles are not sports cars. Don't even get me started on what would happen to Earth in all this. It was portrayed as bad, but would be far worse, especially from a social standpoint.
But how many points to award it? As for script and execution, it's a 1-star. It gets points for being competently filmed, with some reasonable effects (but not outstanding for a big-budget 2020's film). But sheer stupidity has to take away. So I'm left awarding it 2/10. Not the very worst I've ever seen, but one of the worst in terms of ruined potential and shoddy execution. If you hate stupid - avoid this.
Abyss might have been as dumb and cringeworthy as Moonfall, had it been executed as poorly. The basic concepts were similar, in some ways (which I won't get into here). But while Abyss made us marvel, Moonfall made me roll my eyes.
I can only guess the central concept was pitched by someone else, then Emmerich got a hold of it, ran with it, and ultimately destroyed it, in script and execution.
There were any number of stupid aspects to this film, from the technology, to some of the human decisions. In a human sense, it was banal, at best. Stereotyped and 2D. From a technical standpoint... hoo, boy. Can't even begin to get into them all! It looks like Emmerich Googled a couple scientific terms and concepts of a Moon approaching Earth... then neglected everything else. Not the least of which, Shuttles don't just launch on demand, without support, and other vehicles are not sports cars. Don't even get me started on what would happen to Earth in all this. It was portrayed as bad, but would be far worse, especially from a social standpoint.
But how many points to award it? As for script and execution, it's a 1-star. It gets points for being competently filmed, with some reasonable effects (but not outstanding for a big-budget 2020's film). But sheer stupidity has to take away. So I'm left awarding it 2/10. Not the very worst I've ever seen, but one of the worst in terms of ruined potential and shoddy execution. If you hate stupid - avoid this.