REVIEW: FLY ME TO THE MOON

4/5

Play Among The Stars

132 Mins. Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Jim Rash, Anna Garcia, Donald Elise Watkins, Noah Robbins, Colin Woodell, Christian Zuber, Nick Dillenburg, Ray Romano, & Woody Harrelson. Screenplay: Rose Gilroy. Director: Greg Berlanti. In: Theatres & On: Apple TV.

If you believed they put a man on the moon, then come see what life is like on Jupiter and Mars. In other words, where women and men are from...or is that Venus, as opposed to this boy's life on Mars, like Bowie?! Either way, the combustible chemistry between two of Hollywood's millennial finest heartthrobs takes off in this post greatest generation, perfect picture. Channing Tatum's grounded in gravity rocket man and Scarlett Johansson's spin doctoring marketing executive, who could give the cigarettes and bourbon of those 50s 'Mad Men' a run for their advertising revenue. All for NASA's mission to fly America to the moon like Sinatra before the Soviets get there first. Giving us one of the finest space race movies since the 'Hidden Figures' of history, Ryan Gosling's 'First Man' and the legendary 'Apollo 13'.

Houston...we have a romantic comedy drama film like no other. It's just joy, like the good old days, when America was actually great, beyond a snide slogan on a baseball cap. Like it still can be, if we believe in the hope this movie inspires with its welcome wagon like Trojan Horse. You see, Greg Berlanti's ('Love, Simon') brilliant blockbuster for a sweltering summer was originally named 'Project Artemis'. Just like it was originally meant to be directed by 'Ozark's' Jason Bateman and star 'Captain America-The Winter Soldier' flirtatious Avengers Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans in a lovely reunion (there's a cute cameo for Scarlett, but it's not Cap). Although on the comeback trail, Channing Tatum is the right fit, like his Batman wardrobe of perfect knitted sweater t-shirts in all the GQ colours here. And whilst we're at it, this is no spoiler, because we have no idea, but how good would it be if we finally saw Channing Tatum play X-Men Gambit in the new 'Deadpool and Wolverine' movie this Friday, after all these years of rumours? After certain cameos in the last few years, you never know.

Besides the hot dog, boardwalk beauty that these two poster stars give you. Not to mention, the depth of real love, for this swipe and unmatch age, that runs back into the diner to tell you what you've longed to hear your whole life. There are more classic hallmark Hollywood moments to cure our collective cynicism. Especially in regard to the moon landing, and whether it was all an act like Jim Carrey, in a movie where R.E.M. provide the big score. Was it all a dream, as everyone huddled around their television sets like telescopes to get a glimpse of a real moonwalk, decades before the King of Pop? Well, with one step here, 'Fly Me To The Moon' gives you a giant leap into what could have been. A contingency plan in the space race just in case luck wasn't with them like a black cat. And also, what that does to the integrity of an apple pie America that needs to cool it with all that on the window sill. Especially in this time of doctoring, cons and news that has people doubting the authenticity of what's fact from fiction.

Tatum and Johansson are all you need, especially as Rose Gilroy's great screenplay lets the sparks fly. But there's a class cast here. All the way down to the legends like the Ray Romano everyone loves, and the cheers to Woody Harrelson, whose character gets more compelling with every twist and turn, especially when he trilby dances the night away like Ole Blue Eyes. On her big break, Anna Garcia steals some of the limelight in this show like her name was Andy. Whilst Donald Elise Watkins and Noah Robbins also make their mark on getting this rom-com, mostly true story, off the ground. No McConaughey failure to launch. And whilst it's no Ryan Gosling in 'First Man', Nick Dillenburg is great as Neil Armstrong. Flanked by Buzz Aldrin (Colin Woodell) and Michael Collins (Christian Zuber) like a TIME magazine cover or Omega timepiece. But it's the 'Community' of Jim Rash's brash director that brings this all together, laced with his barbed wit drier than the Martinis he craves like rave reviews.

This Apple TV movie with 'Ted Lasso' positivity puts heart back into the Stars and Stripes like a good cup of Joe at a classic roadside, American diner. So let your hair down, like the top of some classic muscle, and enjoy the ride as your car radio tunes into the classics in 'Fly Me To The Moon'. Bookended by the great Sam Cooke, Etta James, Jackie Wilson, Bobby Womack, the Bee Gees and many, many more. It's your thing, like Ann Pebbles for this 'Moon River' sung down the stream by the one and only Aretha Franklin. Timeless and touching. Just like this Apollo 11 movie's moving tribute to the men whose lives were lost in Apollo 1. Planting a seed for us to remember all of those who took the first steps that led to the giant leap. 5...4...3...2...1. This is a go for launch. If you believe there's nothing up the sleeve of NASA's moon landing, then this is the film for you. But if you air on the side of conspiracy theory like your friend's social media accounts, then your mind may be changed after this. In other words, your heart will be singing, "please be true!" TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Hidden Figures', 'First Man', 'Apollo 13'.