AD ASTRA | Science vs Cinema

Yes the physics was bad, but the primary purpose of this movie was definitely to highlight the psychological challenges of space exploration. I'm a physics student but I've come to terms with bad science in movies (love you Interstellar) and have learned to appreciate the underlying messages in these movies

Why didnt they make the structure a space elevator?

The accident could have damaged the elevator and necessitated the rocket launch scene

Fire in space: Don't need to imagine, just watch The Expanse.

When I first saw it in the trailer, I thought the tower scene was going to be a from a space elevator. That would have helped explain all of the human activity in deep space. Also, they should have had earth hit by a massive EMP emitted by Tommy Lee Jones' ship. Instead of having Pitt ride the shock wave, they should have built tension by having him try to reach minimum safe distance before the detonation. The tension can be climaxed by his ship almost being destroyed by the effects of the nuke going off.

How is gravity earth-like when they are indoors on the moon?

Evidently, the makers of Ad Astra didn’t consult you.

Just to clarify: they have stated they aren’t traditional guns, but more like “rail guns” which accelerate the projectile via electromagnetic forces

I thought it was a space elevator from the trailer.. made me think it was going to be more grounded than it was.

My favourite part was all the talk of it being a full-moon on the way but once on the surface of lunar they look back at earth and it is also illuminated... um, that’s not how it works. The side of earth facing them should have been in darkness.

Oh, and IRL we’ve been flying boosters back to the landing site for years now, yet in this future we’re still discarding spent first and second stages? Okay...

i know you only do movies but i would love to know your thoughts on The Expanse, especially the TV series.

The science was so fantastical that throughout the movie I was pretty sure its all in Brad Pitt's head and in the end we find him strapped up in a straight jacket in some looney bin.

This is one of my favorite movies. I’m aware that the science isn’t perfect but the mood and story had me going. I can totally respect your opinion though. Really enjoyed the video.

You left out the worst mistake. When Brad enters the rocket and they have the floating space fight on an aggressively accelerating rocket. They would be pinned hard in their seat.

There are 2 different types of space movies. The first ones are science fiction movies about space ( Interstellar, Sunshine) the second type of movies are soley set in space but are not about space ( Passangers, Paneorum, Ad Astra)

Science: "I exist"
Ad Astra: "Hold my beer..."

re: stowing away: how about that hatch that opens into/near the rocket exhaust?

Ad Astra came with a huge message. We're staring to the skies so focused on looking for intelligent life, we forgot to look back at ourselves. Intelligent life is right here. Roy McBride's journey is an analogy for a man's quest into himself, rediscovering himself, and learning to let go of everything that holds a man back.

It's not about space or science at all. That was just a way of portraying the story.

I particularly enjoyed the scene in which Brad Pitt's character somehow managed to grab onto a hatch and enter the rocket's going to Mars with 2 or 3 seconds on the countdown without a sweat. It looked highly realistic IMO.

Let’s also talk about how all of the asteroid impacts on his shield would have slowed him to a stop and sent rocks hurling toward his ship (if he were accurate) or if he angled to deflect the rocks away from his ship he would have changed his own trajectory. Begin to hit rocks he wasn’t shielding himself from, and still come to a stop.

First I thought they were building a space elevator and I thought: cool
Only after the film did I realize it was an antenna... So many missed opportunities