Ad Astra – ★★★★★

Certificate – 12A
Directed By – James Gray
Starring – Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee, Liv Tyler, Donald Sutherland, Ruth Negga
Running Time – 123 Minutes (2 Hours 3 Minutes)

Every once and awhile I’ll go into a screening for a film completely blind. Don’t see any trailers or footage just to give me a better view of the film.

Ad Astra was the film for me as I knew sod all apart from that it was Brad Pitt in space and directed by the bloke who did the Lost City of Z (a film I liked, but a little long and slow to get into).

What Is Ad Astra About?

A paranoid thriller in space that follows Roy McBride (Pitt) on a mission across an unforgiving solar system to uncover the truth about his missing father and his doomed expedition that now, 30 years later, threatens the universe.

Is It Any Good?

I only save this word for when I truly mean it, but Ad Astra is a fucking MASTERPIECE!!

This is the best film Pitt has ever acted in and follow deserves to be nominated for the Best Actor Oscar. I loved how his character grew throughout becoming more and more human as we get deeper into the story.

Speaking of the story, it does ask the deeper questions of humanity and faith.

I honestly don’t want to say too much as I want you to experience it on the biggest screen humanly possible and if you have an IMAX screen then go to that and pay the extra because it’s worth the money.

That will be the biggest takeaway is the utterly jaw-dropping visuals as cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema, director Gray and the visual effects team have created one of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen on screen.

My eyes were in complete wonder from start to finish.

Meanwhile, I love how Gray directed the film giving it a slow pace just so soak the film and the world of space in. There’s also one action scene that had a Mad Max vibe and was full of tension.

Elsewhere, Max Richter score is so peaceful and relaxing it something you can play in the background while you work and feel the stress leave your body.

This movie will be up for several Oscar in both the main categories and technical and believe six to eight nominations could be likely.

Anything Bad About The Film?

From this reviewer, no.

However, I won’t be surprised if some members of the general public will think the film is too slow and couldn’t get into the film which will be a shame.

Verdict

Ad Astra is a masterpiece. From Pitt’s superb acting to the incredible visuals and beautiful score. See this movie on the biggest screen possible!