Review: The Midnight Sky

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Augustine (George Clooney) is a terminally ill scientist who stays behind at a base in the Artic Circle after everyone else flees due to a catastrophic event on Earth. He realizes he's not alone, when Iris (Caoilinn Springall) a mute child finds him on the base. At the same time, he's trying to stop Sully (Felicty Jones) and her crew aboard the Ether from returning to Earth after their mission to find another planet that can sustaine human life.

With the way some people were talking about The Midnight Sky, more specifically the ending, I was really expecting this to turn into a Cloverfield movie or something. It doesn't, although that would've been kind of cool. I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would given the low expectations I set for myself.

This film reminds me a lot of Baz Luhrmann's Australia, where instead of feeling like one cohesive story it feels like two movies stitched together. Unlike the former, there isn't a clear winner of which of these movies is better, one is certainly more exciting, but they don't blend as well as they should.

Clooney is in the director's chair again and he's....fine. Everyone's motivations are clear, the main action sequence was very thrilling, though I didn't care for the outcome. There is a twist that becomes pretty apparent early on, but it's not distracting. As for that ending? Sure, it's lame, but I was expecting Sunshine levels of fuckery. 

Overall, with the right expectations I think this is a perfectly fine watch. Especially for a Netflix movie. What else are you going to do during a pandemic?

Recommended: Sure

Grade: C+

Memorable Quote: "Ask me a question." - Augustine (George Clooney)

Comments

  1. RuthJanuary 16, 2021 at 4:23 PM

    I haven't seen this one but somehow I never muster enough interest to watch it. It reminds me a lot of Baz Luhrmann's Australia?? Oy that can't be a good thing. I have my friend Ted's review in draft and I think he landed about the same as you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 17, 2021 at 11:33 AM

      Australia was an experience lol. The two stories not meshing well felt so much like that.

      Delete
  2. thevoid99January 16, 2021 at 4:50 PM

    I thought about seeing this but I'm not sure as Clooney does have his moments as a director and I like the fact that he's working with Felicity Jones who is always a joy to watch. I'll probably wait and watch other films.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 17, 2021 at 11:32 AM

      It's not something worth rushing out to see, but I don't think it's bad either. It does have beats that remind me a lot of Gravity.

      Delete
  3. SeanJanuary 17, 2021 at 7:06 PM

    I had similar feelings. It's not a bad movie but it didn't come together for me. Your comment about it feeling stitched together is spot on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 18, 2021 at 9:36 AM

      This seems to be a popular take. Clooney will get the hang of this some day.

      Delete
  4. Often Off TopicJanuary 18, 2021 at 1:45 PM

    I do want to see this but it's hard to find the excitement for it when it sounds like it's just...okay. I will eventually though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 18, 2021 at 2:44 PM

      Yeah, you definitely don't need to rush out to see it, but it's on Netflix so at least it's readily available if you're ever bored.

      Delete
  5. keith71_98January 19, 2021 at 3:57 PM

    I completely see where you're coming from even though I really love the movie. I think people's reactions will depend on how the movie's central theme resonates with them. As a father I connected deeply which made it really affecting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 20, 2021 at 6:47 AM

      I agree, I see why the Adam and Eve reference rubbed people the wrong way at the end, but I thought overall it was decent.

      Delete

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