Astronaut: The Last Push

Astronaut: The Last Push

Even when it dragged, it was right. The POINT was made - life on a long haul space mission will drag - even under the best of circumstances. Stuck, alone, in a windowless box the size of a bathroom for three years? Defies all comprehension - and that's what the director managed so well to put across. The acting was okay, but again, the hero's vulnerability followed by recovery were key - and that much was well played. Sam Rockwell did a better job of the solo thing in "Moon", but given that was an Oscar-worthy performance it's probably an unfair comparison. Having only very recently seen "Gravity", and hating it for it's corny premise, absurd science, and a script apparently penned by monkeys, I rejoiced in the fact that this film did it SO much better, for a fraction of the price. Another sublime "anti-Cameron" to add to the collection. Destined for cult status - just like "Moon".

Not for everyone and not for every occasion. If you're looking for action, save this for later. If you want to see a realistic take on space exploration and its mental implications, it's time to watch this. Realism is the keyword for this film. It doesn't try to convince the viewers with effects or stunts but rather in the way that you could for a brief while really feel you're in space. The director, Eric Hayden's father has been working on the Galileo probe that went to Jupiter which probably had its contribution to this film's script. The whole design of the ship and the mission is very realistic and it'd be quite close to the actual way we would go to Europa if we ever would. Without going into spoilers, there is another level going on in the film. More human. Again the characters are realistic and they act like a well trained astronauts would. But as the events unfold, the mental evolution of the main character becomes analogous with the craft's journey both in space and fate. There's a hint of third level on the movie which probably means I have to watch this movie again. It's not just the craft or the man inside who's making the journey but us, as human beings collectively.

The Thing that I liked most about this film is it did not shy away from the cost of space exploration. Instead it dealt with it head on. Michael Forrest (Khary Payton) is forced to endure isolation, and a confined existence all to survive and hopefully make it back to Earth. His only communication is when he receives a message from mission control. It is a horrifying existence and I found myself constantly wondering how I would deal with it (Not as well as him) In the end the film does more service to the spirit of exploration that any big budget Hollywood could ever hope too. A must view for all fans of "real" cinema.

I stumbled across this movie. I never heard of its existence before. But this was am amazing piece of work. Yeah, as with all space movies you'll have a lot of tech questions after seeing it,... but that does not take away the great acting and the wonderful job the director did. How could you, for about 90 percent of the movie, make a movie so solid that you do not get bored seeing just one actor whole that time? Well they did it in this movie. The main focus is on the Astrounaut Michael, who in a privately funded spacecraft goes to investigate life that has been found on one of the moons of Jupiter. But trouble very early on in the mission, leaves him alone and in trouble, and years from his end goal. He has to find ways to stay alive, keep his mind focused and try to make it back to Earth. The movie does not really go into great detail on the tech. But it does not have too. It mainly focuses on his personal journey, to keep his mind focused on the tasks at hand. Survival. I especially liked the last 5-10 minutes of the movie. As a surprise to all, almost home, he decides to make that last push, of exploration, with all the risks it holds. I think the poem he recited at the end, by T.S. Eliot, will in the years to come, become a fine piece of movie heroics and a classical piece of cult space movies. Making this movie a fine piece of art for all the space movie fans. Autronaut Michael is my hero here... showing exactly what we as humans should aim for. Reach for the stars, explore... and go out there. But that is just my humble opinion, here on Earth. I'll rate this movie 9/10... because it deserves it.

Visually, the special effects, the set itself, and overall film quality was pretty good on what I assume was probably quite a small budget. In terms of physics I was far less convinced. The finale was wholly unconvincing and impossible, and it was amusing that the diagrams of the trajectory of slingshots were really passbys that would have added little momentum; and then the pointless burn; and that the sun seemed to be completely absent in any calculations or diagrams! Well, you can suspend disbelief, so it wasn't too much of a distraction. However the writing about the state of mind of the astronaut wasn't very convincing at all, and neither were his decisions at the end of the film. Physically in terms of his body, his hair, his clothes there were no changes or deterioration over what we're to believe is three years. Psychologically there wasn't much in the way of change either. In short I didn't believe this man spent three years in a tiny tin can. In the end I'd say this is a wholly worthy effort - it isn't dreadful or anything, and I didn't burst out laughing or shout at the screen. But in the end I was unconvinced, and insight into the human condition seems lacking. But I'll be interested to see what he does next.

Here's another movie you've seen before - if you're old enough to remember every iteration of the Robinson Crusoe mythology, or went to a high school film class. From Mr. Robinson Crusoe to Cast Away, and Robinson Crusoe on Mars, as well as 2001 and Silent Running, this story has been told many times before. The plot? In a nutshell, isolated astronaut goes nuts. On the plus side, Khary Payton does an acceptable job of on-camera work. On the other hand, his voice-overs could use work. In the end, it's an OK movie for a hangover, since it's intellectually and emotionally undemanding. On the other hand, you could turn the channel to a bass fishing show.

I don't want to put down the Star Trek genre, and anyone who is honest doesn't consider Star Wars true science fiction. However, I want to say that it is truly wonderful to come across a movie like this that shows that "Sci-Fi" is not code for "Space Horror". This movie is truly what science fiction should be. And exploration of the human condition in extraordinary circumstances of advanced technology. Some may find this movie slow, but I thought it was beautiful. It is an excellent study of the human being in extraordinary circumstances, and one who retains his humanity. Movies like this are rare gems. It was a pleasure to see it and think about it. If you truly love real science fiction, then this is the movie for you.

ASTRONAUT: THE LAST PUSH is a semi-realistic science fiction drama about an astronaut who, after an accident, is left alone in space to make a three year journey back to Earth in real time. The viewer is given access to his mind and mental wellbeing through a series of voice overs and video logs as he receives messages from well-wishers and his superiors back on Earth... Story isn't the strong point of this film, but it does get across the boredom of space travel because ASRONAUT: THE LAST PUSH is a very boring film. Very little happens in terms of plotting and some pretty CGI visuals of spaceships and the like aren't going to distract us from the obvious flaws and limitations of the budget. The only thing this has going for it is the acting of Khary Payton, who plays the main astronaut. He underplays it for the most part and does a pretty good job as a man just bored of his whole existence. Things only get dramatic in the last stages, but it's a long, long journey until then and a couple of tacked-on scenes of Lance Henriksen sitting in front of a green screen don't really help.

Nice one man play in the form of a movie with background supporting characters. No really this as a good movie though, it just feels like it was made as a test film to send around to the studios to try and get some real money. Great story that should grab you nicely in the first few minutes, and at least keep you on board for quite a while. The movie does suffer in the lack of any real action or suspense, but there is some really good acting, and the special effects are good for the budget they had to work with.(I can say better than you would see last decade, just not enough of it) Might touch your heart a bit, but then they will put a stop to that don't you worry. I liked seeing Brian Baumgartner not playing a buffoon, but a much more rounded character who gets to show many sides. This movie has been getting a bunch of hype, but I just don't think it is quite there. Some nice surprises, and new stories for a movie, but not enough effort to put the whole thing together, and a slow uninteresting decent into madness for too much of the main story, but then just not without more than a badly produced video from earth. Enjoy if you wanna get spaced out.