Ad Astra is quite simply one of the most stunning films of space that I've seen, telling an emotional story of a father/son relationship and the lengths that relationship can extend. It will surely have different meanings for everyone who watches, but this is one to check out, with the proper expectations and open mind.
“Brad Pitt gives a powerful performance in this “absolutely enthralling” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone) sci-fi thriller set in space. When a mysterious life-threatening event strikes Earth, astronaut Roy McBride (Pitt) goes on a dangerous mission across an unforgiving solar system to uncover the truth about his missing father (Tommy Lee Jones) and his doomed expedition that now, 30 years later, threatens the universe.”
Director James Gray said in an interview that the film is like a mix of Apocalypse Now and 2001: A Space Odyssey. While watching the film, I couldn’t help but see the exact parallels, especially from Apocalypse Now, as a desperate search for a decorated hero that may have gone off the rails commences, it just so happens that this man is on the outer edge of our solar system, and the man searching for him is his son.
Ad Astra is perhaps one of the most beautifully stunning films about space that I’ve seen in a long time, and also probably the most real and accurate representation of space-travel and mankind’s role to play in the cosmos. The film takes you on an incredible journey as Roy McBride, an astronaut who, even in the face of disaster and certain death, prides himself at remaining calm and keeping a resting heartbeat of under 80 BPM, learns that his father may still be alive who left Earth on a mission thirty years prior. Roy has held a stoic and somewhat emotionally closed off life, living in the shadow of his father who is hailed as a pioneer and hero. His relationship with his wife strained, this emotionless attitude Roy believes is beneficial to his job as an astronaut, that is filled with danger, a reason to push those who care about him away. Whether this is because of the abandonment of his father or not, it’s not directly made clear, but what is clear is the affect that his father has on Roy, as he goes from calm and collected to increasingly emotional as the search for his father leads to more questions and answers that shake his view of his father to his very core.
If you’re coming into this film expecting a Science Fiction adventure, you’ll be disappointed. What I think hurt this film from the beginning was the marketing which kind of portrays it as such. With this type of film, I don’t really see an easy way to explain the emotional depth of the story to the extent that Ad Astra delves into, but it’s a ride worth taking. In its simplicity, this story is one about a father who abandoned his family for his work, and the emotional toll it’s taken on the son his entire life. Now, faced with the opportunity to confront him, the son travels billions of miles to do so, if only to get some kind of resolution in his own life to give him the opportunity to open up to others. It’s an easily relatable tale, set in a not too distant future with the only difference being the scope of the setting it takes place in, providing the extraordinary lengths it takes for Roy McBride to confront his father.
The universe that James Gray has built is nothing less than astonishing. There are so many miniscule details that he includes to give this world a realistic feel, whether it be a rather bleak look at the possible future of our planet which include Pirate raids on Lunar Rovers, super-inflated economy, a consumer-based lunar base complete with fast-food restaurants and gambling, and that longing question mankind still seeks the answer to: if there is any life out there besides us? Through Roy McBride’s journey to his different checkpoints to reach Neptune, we get to see life outside of the Earth and how drastically things change the farther you get. Psych evaluations are a constant requirement, with a failure resulting in the end of a mission, with people wanting nothing more than to get back home to breathe fresh air again. In addition to the emotional journey of abandonment, there are also themes of home in the film. The sense of home engrained in the human gene is something that we may never be able to break from in the coming decades/centuries as we venture beyond our planet, with only the insanely dedicated to discovery that will go to any lengths, whether it is the abandonment of their family or their crew able to face the emptiness of space. Roy McBride embraces this loneliness, and it isn’t until he’s able to confront the cause is he able to finally admit he wants to go home.
Brad Pitt is fantastic in Ad Astra. Just coming from viewing a very different role in Quentin Tarantino’s latest film, this is a great follow-up to show what great range he has. The drastic change from his character throughout the story is unbelievable, especially in the final act which made a big impact on me. The majority of the film is told through his inner-monologue narration and confessions to his psychological evaluations, with only his perspective to guide us. He carries the entire weight of the film on his shoulders, never giving a dull moment or one without profound development and emotion.
Video
Ad Astra is presented in 4k 2160p Ultra High Definition Widescreen 2.39:1. The HDR on this disc is unquestionably the way to experience the wonder and beauty of this film. Not only does it provide the best looking colors, vibrant and brilliant contrasted with the emptiness of space, the brights look fantastic, and the blacks are like a character itself in the film, representing the nothingness, the void of space, invoking fear and anxiety as you look into its depths. Given the choice, go for the 4k version, you will not regret it.
Audio
The audio is presented in Dolby Atmos. The majority of the sound is going to be through the center channel is the form of dialogue and the narration by Brad Pitt. There are several action-heavy sequences, but thanks to the lack of sound traveling in a vacuum of space, there really isn’t the opportunity for sound-heavy battles or explosions you expect. Despite this, levels sound excellent, with a great balance of the surrounds. Especially pleasing is the score for the film, beautifully done, a perfect accompaniment to such a beautifully moving story.
Special Features
The extras on this set are located on the Blu-Ray disc, with the exception of the commentary which is located on both, and include:
- Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by James Gray
- To the Stars
- A Man Named Roy
- The Crew of the Cepheus
- The Art of Ad Astra
- Reach for the Stars
- Audio Commentary by James Gray
Ad Astra didn’t have the best audience reception, based mainly I believe on marketing troubles. Still, I consider it to be one of the most beautiful and moving films with deep themes about father/son relationships that I’ve seen in a long time, certainly anything with such a thrilling setting as our solar system. It may not have quite the impact on everyone as it did myself, but given the correct expectations or simply an open mind, Ad Astra may move you as much as it did myself.
