So, if you’re familiar with the name Roland Emmerich, you usually respond one of two ways. You either curse his existence and swear he’s lost his mind since the days of Independence Day, or you embrace the silliness of his latest movies. In this case, Moonfall isn’t bound to win any Oscars, but let’s be fair, it’s better than whatever the hell Independence Day: Resurgence was.
The 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray that just dropped comes with all sorts of technical merit, giving the movie a much more serious look than it deserves. Not to mention, it sets up some stunning pieces served up with the scripted cheese. Fortunately, it all goes down easily, thanks to good performances and enough destruction to indulge your senses. Just don’t go looking for the next Stargate and you’ll be fine.
Damn It, Moon!
The movie revolves around astronauts Brian Harper (Patrick Wilson) and Jocinda Fowler (Halle Berry), who discover some kind of sinister force lurking in space. However, Harper isn’t able to confirm anything, leaving that argument pretty much void.
That is, until K.C. Houseman (John Bradley) comes along, discovering that there’s not a problem around the moon, but with the moon itself. As a result, orbit is completely out of whack and the world is falling apart. Eventually, the three will need to come together and figure out just what the hell is happening with the moon. You know, before it’s too late.
I will be honest, the movie likes talking, like, a lot of talking. It’s trying to be smarter than it actually is, and that’s probably when it’s at its weakest. However, it does succeed in showing off camaraderie between the actors. Berry looks like she’s having a field day. Wilson makes a pretty good straight man. Finally, Houseman is almost bonkers, almost. They all mesh together into a nice world-saving mission, the moon be damned.
Roland Emmerich may not entirely have pacing down, but at least he packs Moonfall with some great action sequences, and some decent special effects. Granted, Lionsgate lost a bundle on the movie as a result without much box office success. However, like Stargate, this could easily live on as a cult classic. Not to mention it’s a reminder that people still know how to make fun and stupid disaster movies. I’ll take this over The Day After Tomorrow any day. (Blame it on the moon.)
Solid Technical Features
Though Moonfall is abundant with its digital effects, they look amazing in 4K. They really explode on the screen and light everything up. Granted, the slower stuff doesn’t look so hot, but when the moon shows up hang on, baby. Overall, a great technical picture. The Blu-Ray is impressive as well, if you’re going with that version.
I’m also a big fan of the audio presentation. The booming music, crisp dialogue, and awesome effects really blare through your theater speakers. Again, the boring parts are, well, boring. The rest, however, comes together nicely. Consider this for your next showcase piece the second you pick up that new sound bar.
Finally, there are decent extras. Emmerich, alongside writer/producer/composer Harald Kloser, have a field day talking about the film. There’s also Against Impossible Odds, a neat mini-doc going into its creation. Exploring the Moon: Past, Present, and Future digs into the history of the moon itself, with interviews from NASA experts. Finally, there’s a short with Dr. K.C. Houseman Speaks the Truth! These are vignettes that showcase Bradley going off on some crazy, and hilarious, theories. It’s worth a look.
It’s Not You, It’s the Moonfall
Okay, so Moonfall won’t sweep you off your feet like an epic film would. Who cares though? It’s big, stupid enjoyment with a cast that’s game for the mission. Plus it looks and sounds fantastic, comes with a digital copy, and has the kind of torment you didn’t think the moon had in it.
Oh, and don’t forget, it’s still better than Independence Day: Resurgence. Never again. Never.
VIBE Rating: 7.5/10
Want more movie goodness? Check out our rad review of Everything Everywhere All At Once!
