Reviews

I mostly enjoyed this movie but only because I could fast forward through the excruciating bits...and those bits were exclusively regarding the travails of yet another ex-spouse and kids. It is a mystery why Mr Emmerich thought including these characters was a good idea because they added nothing worthwhile to the plot but definitely became unwanted distractions. Had the movie concentrated solely on the central theme and action, it would have been much better for it. The central conceit of the nature and origin of the moon was fascinating and great science fiction, and was all that was needed to make a great film. I even think the destruction was unnecessary but mostly because it was ridiculously over-the-top. As depressing as it is to think of the billions of people dying, it is far more depressing to think of all the poor insects and animals dying, so enough is enough on that score Mr Emmerich.

Visually, the scenes in space and inside the moon, were amazing, and very well done. Some of the dialogue was very ordinary, and some of the acting was less than stellar. Unfortunately, most of that came from Ms Berry, who seemed especially wooden in her performance, as though her heart wasn't in the production. And it didn't help that the only character you felt any affinity for was "Dr" Houseman.

I do think this is a better movie than some are claiming but it can't be called great. It has good sections, and it has terrible sections, so overall it is just average, at best.