Midnight Sky – It came, we streamed it, but did it conquer? Find out here!
When you wait and wait and wait for a movie to stream online because … you want to love every minute of it, but it’s hard!
Midnight Sky is a science fiction movie, made available on Netflix on 23rd. December 2020. It attracted huge attention globally within 24 hours of its release, thanks to George Clooney who was the main (and only?) appeal behind the project. Besides being the director, George Clooney played the role of Dr. Augustin Lofthouse, a scientist and a loner whose passion is to find a new place in space for humans to inhabit.
The story opens with humans evacuating the planet Earth – after a global calamity, the Earth is no longer fit to support human life. The story revolves around Dr. Augustine who decides to stay back so he can contact a crew of astronomers who have embarked on a mission to discover a new moon in Jupiter, and to warn them to not return back to the Earth. There are some distinct reasons which makes the movie worth seeing – maybe.
Mentionable direction
George Clooney’s effort has certainly paid off and the movie has managed to look great and believable. It is set in the year 2049, though that would not have been clear from the ambiances. The depiction of the southern hemisphere was uprightly done. The movie has been directed on Iceland’s Vatnajokull glacier, the largest ice cap in Europe where the temperatures were well below zero. In addition, the visual effects to depict the astronauts in zero gravity was certainly noteworthy. Moreover, 3D printers were used to create backdrops for the film, adding further to the realism.
Exciting twists where least expected
It is safe to say that the movie was able to keep the element of surprise till the very end. The plot threw some unpredictable twists which the viewer had least expected, but was that enough to elevate the script?
Personal attributes to each character made the story seem more realistic
As Augustine tried to reach out to the crew on Aether, we were given glimpses of his past life. We were shown that he was a man who did not mind his own company. He carried on with his daily routine after being the only one left on Earth, administering himself blood transfusions, making his own food while trying to make a connection with the spaceship.
Simultaneously, we were shown the life of the astronauts on Aether who had been living in it for the past two years. They were Sully (Felicity Jones) who was pregnant on the return journey, Gordon Adewole (David Oyelowo) who was the captain of the spaceship, Maya (Tiffany Boone), Sanchez (Demian Bichir) and Mitchell who eagerly wanted to go back to his family.
Despite their problems on the spaceship, the crew is able to share a good laugh and cherish the moments they spend with each other. The integration of Felicity Jones’ real life pregnancy into the movie did add an interesting element to the plot. The suggestion of names for Sally’s baby exhibited the bond shared by the crew.
But despite the efforts at direction, plot and character development, here’s what failed to work.
A vague plot with indescribable twists
A lot of questions about the story which remained unanswered; the plot was not well developed and explained, the viewers were left to themselves to anticipate the calamity that caused the destruction of the Earth. All the dots were not well connected and the audience was not given an insight to the girl (Caoilinn Springall) that appeared out of nowhere expect for the fact that her name was Iris. Many remained confused whether she was just a delusion or actually present with Augustine. Fans were also disappointed.
Here is what they had to say:
George is George but … Midnight Sky is just not IT!
Okaaayyyy!
Oh No!
We have to agree with Chris there!
Fans are NOT happy!
Just like other space related movies?
Audience and critics were quick to point out similarities with Gravity and Interstellar. Would the viewers watch it nevertheless, even when there are other options available on the table?
Midnight Sky does carry an intrigue value to it. It is the right movie for all those who are big fans of space related movies. Furthermore, it is a treat for all George Clooney fans who have eagerly awaited his return to the big screen since his last movie in 2016, Money Monster.
However, if you are neither of the above you might just skip this one.
Final Verdict?
Skip Midnight Sky, if you feel for George Clooney, go have a Nespresso with the Martian or Apollo 13 to see how Matt Damon & Tom Hanks get it right!
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Zainab Mossadiq is an A level student. She has a passion for writing. She believes that through writing we are often able to convey the message we might never say and unveil a hidden side of ourselves. “Writing helps me unwind. It allows me to explore a different side of my personality and to forget what’s happening around me. I hope that through my writing I am able to bring a positive influence.”
Great article. Well written! It does give the reader a good idea about the movie without giving any spoilers.