FLY ME TO THE MOON
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Jim Rash, Anna Garcia, Donald Elise Watkins, Noah Robbins, Colin Woodell, Christian Zuber, Nick Dillenburg, Ray Romano, and Woody Harrelson
Director: Greg Berlanti
AMARÚ
Fly Me to the Moon is the first purely entertaining film I’ve seen in a while. No stakes, no problems, no drama…well, a little drama…but just enough to take the vibes slightly seriously. That’s what this film is: a mix of rom-com vibes, historical biopic storylines, and predictable satirical twists, which, in all seriousness, could’ve easily failed. But, with Channing Tatum and Scarlett Johansson’s charm, Woody Harrelson’s cheekiness, and a heartfelt supporting cast, led by CW legend Greg Berlanti directing fluff in his ever-enjoyable way, the perfect personnel were assembled to keep this too-long, thinly plotted film working in all the ways it needed to.
ADRIANO
Fly Me to the Moon will probably reach its intended audience of middle-aged moms, but considering I'm not 55 years old, I thought this movie was subpar. It’s not endearing or romantic enough to pass as a rom-com, and as revisionist history, it’s uninteresting, strangely convoluted, and way too long. Any laugh I got out of this was from Ray Romano's delivery (pretty big laughs, in fairness). Scarlett Johansson is serviceable, but Channing Tatum is very stilted; I didn't buy their romance at all. Fly Me to the Moon is harmless and silly overall, but I’ve forgotten most of it already.
KATIE
I was disappointed by Fly Me to the Moon. With the promise of a rom-com starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, I expected irresistible chemistry, playful banter, and plenty of laughs. However, their characters, Kelly and Cole, don’t even seem to really like each other, which is a shame because Johansson’s performance is charismatic and fun. Tatum, on the other hand, lacks the light-heartedness necessary to make their dynamic work. It’s also too long, veering from romance to attempts at comedy to emotional drama, never settling on what it wants to be.
PRESTON
Playing on one of the most widely-held conspiracy beliefs that the televised moon landing was an elaborate government production, Fly Me to the Moon provides enough cleverness in its rom-com format to be an entertaining jaunt to the theater. Although a slow-starter and a bit too long, it still builds appropriately with enough competent pacing to endear the audience to its characters. Scarlett Johansson carries the flick nicely, while Woody Harrelson provides the saucy pop we have come to love him for. Incidentally, Channing Tatum and a cat also star in the film.
SHADAN
As a Houstonian, I will always be biased toward space-race flicks, but I was admittedly surprised by just how much I enjoyed Fly Me to the Moon. While nothing about the film is outwardly spectacular, the pieces fit together to form a charming, breezy few hours of harmless fun. While I wanted more from the romance between Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, their mere presence here is a delight that further elevates the film to recommendable heights. A perfectly fine time at the movies.
