KSL Movie Show Review: ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ is an enjoyable, good-time film for grownups

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SALT LAKE CITY — When the sci-fi thriller “Capricorn One” came out in 1977, my uncle was going around telling people, “I knew it, but no one believes me!  The Moon landing was a fake!”  No matter how hard I tried to convince him otherwise, he stood by that belief the rest of his days. 

Well, he’d be hollering once again if he had the chance to see “Fly Me to the Moon” with Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, only it takes a slightly different spin or orbit as they say.

In this story, NASA is trying to rebuild its fading image after the disaster of Apollo 1 where three astronauts died in a capsule fire on the ground.  Sorry, I know that’s not humorous in any way, but it’s essential to the tale.

An assistant to then President Nixon, Moe Berkus, (Woody Harrelson) is tasked with improving the public relations of the space agency, so he hires this hot-shot, gunslinger marketing executive from New York City, Kelly Jones (Johansson) to spruce up NASA’s image.

Her eager methods will fly straight into the face of NASA’s Flight Director Cole Davis (Tatum) who is doing everything in his power to make sure Apollo 11’s Moon Landing mission goes off without a hitch. 

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However, Ms. Jones is so determined to make the mission “must see TV” that she insists a camera be placed on the lunar module, so people on Earth can witness this history-making moment live.  Davis says absolutely not, citing too much weight, the astronauts will be busy doing other stuff and what if it all goes horribly wrong?

Berkus has the same concerns, so convinces Jones and her wacky team to create a moon landing set in a NASA warehouse, so they can cut to it if things go sideways on the actual Moon.  In the meantime, Jones is picking up sponsorships left and right for the hero astronauts, including convertible Corvettes, Omega watches and their drink of choice – Tang.

And this is what I enjoyed about this movie.  The filmmakers take enough real-life tidbits to add authenticity to their story.  Plus, I guarantee, some will look to this FICTITIOUS movie as proof that NASA was up to some kind of shenanigans back in 1969.

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The other part that makes this fun is the bantering chemistry between Johansson and Tatum.  It’s nice to see actors having a good time in a rom-com, especially Scarlett who tends to take on more serious roles. 

So, I say go, buy the snacks and settle into an enjoyable, good-time film for grownups.  It almost feels like a throwback to the Sixties, with the fashions and the simpler times. 

Maybe it’s time to get out the tie-dyes and bell bottoms once again.  On second thought, maybe not.

FLY ME TO THE MOON (B) Rated PG-13 for strong language, and smoking. Starring Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Woody Harrelson, Ray Romano and Jim Rash. Directed by Greg Berlanti (“Love, Simon” “Life as We Know It”) – filmed in Georgia and Cape Canaveral. Running time: 132 minutes.

The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.