Director
Roland Emmerich
(The Day After Tomorrow)

Starring
Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson and John Bradley

If you were making a grazing platter, then Moonfall would be ideal; hammy acting with a cheesy script, and funnily enough, still something you want to devour.

This is the latest film from director Roland Emmerich, who is no stranger to end of the world/space invasion films, having previously helmed genre classics in The Day After Tomorrow and Independence Day.  Although fans of his previous work would be best served to lower their expectations, as Moonfall is not playing in the same league as its predecessors. That being said, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t fun to be had here.

Moonfall almost reads like the perfect amalgamation of the two Emmerich films previously mentioned; this time instead of polar ice caps melting, causing the destruction of the planet, it’s the moon being knocked off of its orbit and hurtling towards Earth….yes that’s right, the title is VERY literal in this instance. Although everything is not as it seems when it becomes apparent that something other-worldly is behind this mysterious event. Thankfully for us humans, we have some big, brave, American astronauts to save the day (in the form of Halle Berry and Patrick Wilson), with a desperate, British pseudo scientist KC Houseman (Game of Thrones alum, John Bradley) along for the ride. In fairness Houseman is by far the films’ best character and at least makes you feel that some of the dialogue is deliberately horrendous and not just an accidental parody of an end of the world thriller.

As always there are side stories of families trying reunite, redemption for those wronged in the past and unlikely heroes, which all make this familiar but also comforting as you know exactly what you’re going to get. Moonfall certainly isn’t going to be winning any Oscars for acting or its Screenplay….might be in contention for a Razzie for some of the worst lines in the history of cinema…including my favourite “you’re part of the moon now”, but I’ve got to say, I still bloody well enjoyed it. If you want to go and laugh at some rubbish, but also appreciate the big screen special effects, this is A Grade escapism. It’s not bound to become a classic, but there are a lot of worse ways to spend an afternoon.

Moonfall is in cinemas now.