Ad Astra

THE GIST: When devastating electrical surges suddenly hit Earth, astronaut Roy McBride is tasked with making contact with his long missing and presumed dead father, who 30 years prior led an expedition to the edges of the Solar System in search of extraterrestrial life; a mission that might have something to do with the current threat. Making contact might be only the beginning.

I'm always hoping for a good sci-fi movie to come along, it being my favorite genre, and Ad Astra most certainly qualifies.

Naturally, the visual effects are phenomenal, but what makes the movie really great is that at its center lies a story layered with mystery and drama, with planet-sized stakes weighed down by rich interpersonal struggles.

Brad Pitt delivered one of his best performances, supported by Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, and Donald Sutherland. But lets be very clear, just like the poster hints, he carries the movie on his shoulders, and does a great job.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Ad Astra reminded me of the great movies they used to make in the '70s, when directors used to take their time to develop a story rather than just fill the screen with noise and bombast. Wholeheartedly recommended.

Grade: 9