Anthony's Film Review - Moonfall (2022)

This combination of disaster movie and sci-fi thriller manages to be pretty good...

The Moon is one of those things that we know exists and yet we don't think about it too much. If we read about it or explore its details in a museum or science class, we know that's a big spherical rock that orbits the Earth and plays a part in tides on this planet, which impacts life in immeasurable ways. At the same time, these significant effects on Earth are so much a regular part of our existence that we barely think about the Moon's importance. We seldom ask ourselves what would happen if the Moon deviates from its orbit. Well, the 2022 science-fiction movie makes us think about it a little more closely.

As shown in the beginning of the film, a mysterious extraterrestrial entity has penetrated the Moon and also jeopardizes a NASA mission a decade earlier. Now, officials at NASA are alarmed by what they're seeing: the orbit of the Moon shrinking in diameter. On its trajectory, the Moon will orbit closer and closer to Earth, and once it enters the Earth's atmosphere, giant pieces of the Moon will break off and rain down onto the Earth's surface. That's exactly what we end up seeing. Even before the breakup of the Moon, there are still life-threatening floods and phenomena stemming from the Moon's gravity when it moves so close to Earth.

There are a variety of characters in Moonfall dealing with the Moon disaster. However, only three characters are the most important. Two of them are NASA astronauts named Jocinda Fowler and Brian Harper, played respectively by Halle Berry and Patrick Wilson. The third character is a conspiracy theorist named KC Houseman, played by John Bradley. It's a rather interesting combination, because you have two people experienced in space travel and one person who is not but is a genius in other areas that could be crucial for saving the world.

Once these three characters blast off from Earth and reach the Moon, they discover something beyond what humankind has ever understood about the Moon. Obviously, I won't say what it is. I will say that this is what makes Moonfall a sci-fi thriller centering on intriguing discovery, not just a disaster movie with eye-popping visuals of mass destruction. Given that it's a disaster movie, it's worth noting that this movie is directed by Roland Emmerich, who is known these days as a director of disaster films, like Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, and 2012. Even then, don't forget that those movies have plots, too, and Moonfall is really no exception.

Moonfall is an entertaining science-fiction movie simply for its visual effects and its story. The characters are somewhat interesting at least, but they're ultimately just a means to carry the plot forward. From beginning to end, the movie essentially alternates between anticipation of disaster and the thrills of disaster itself. Best of all, this sci-fi story combines the mystery of something extraterrestrial with mystery surrounding the moon, something we see all the time. Moonfall may not be the best Roland Emmerich sci-fi movie, but at least it sufficiently soars in excitement.

Anthony's Rating:

For more information about Moonfall, visit the Internet Movie Database.