ASTEROID CITY (2023)

ASTEROID CITY (2023)

Tagline: None.

(Drama, Comedy, Boredom) [PG-13]

Note: Not sure how this thing got a PG-13 rating when there is full-frontal nudity. Granted, the scene is probably not even a second, but I don’t think I have ever seen the MPA (formerly the MPAA) blow it this bad, it’s kind of creepy. Just wanted my readers to be aware of this because as far as I know the MPA is now run by a bunch of freaking perverts with no regard for ratings at all. When I got to an R-rated movie, I expect to see things that brought on that rating. When I see PG-13 I never expect to see full-frontal nudity. So it’s pretty damn clear the MPA can no longer be trusted.

I reckon that alien didn't mean no harm.

This movie revolves mostly around the small nuclear era 1955 desert town of Asteroid City and a junior stargazing science competition. A grieving father Augie Steenbeck is planning on leaving his tech-loving kids with their grandfather after the death of his wife. Once he gets there he finds potential purpose in actress Midge Campbell, and also, the world might be ending because of aliens. 

First off this movie has a very Wes Anderson feel to it and this film is basically filled with lethal doses of pastels. I actually kind of love the look and feel of this thing. Most of the cast is charming and even Scarlett Johansson’s (BLACK WIDOW) controversial role as Midge has some endearing qualities because at least she realizes she’s flawed. There are some subtle pot-shots at God and faith in this, but I wouldn’t say it’s anything way over the top. This movie also isn’t loaded with a bunch of crass humor or any of that. We don’t need to run for cover trying to avoid f-bombs and it’s also not loaded with cringe. 

What I liked about this thing is that Anderson managed to paint a weird but authentic feeling 1950’s aesthetic and even throws in a bunch of black-and-white sequences. We get a cool turn from Maya Hawke as June who is a teacher in charge of getting these kids at the stargazing science competition to learn about the planets. Honestly, it was a relief to see Maya doing this role after she basically played one of the worst characters ever in DO REVENGE. Tom Hanks (A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD) delivers a grounded performance as Stanley Zak and ended up being one of the better parts of the film. Grace Edwards also stood out as Dinah, and this is another good outing from Sophia Lillis (DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES) as Shelly, who for some reason was only given like 45 seconds of screen time. I liked the throwback elements to this thing and we do get a few humorous moments in the dialog. The humor doesn’t always work, but I did really like the stuff that landed. It was also cool that not every funny scene ended up in the previews. 

Where this movie just kind of loses it is that it’s told in a janky way. When you see how it opens, you will see what I am talking about. It’s actually very annoying even though it was probably a slight nod to something Ed Wood would have done, but ugh. It’s just rough. Another big issue is that we got one of the best ensembles in a movie in forever and most of them are just thrown away in this movie. It’s actually pretty freaking embarrassing. While a lot of the focus was put on the good performances I mentioned, they pretty much buried Jeffrey Wright (THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE) is cast as General Gibson, but isn’t given anything interesting to do. Edward Norton (GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY) is given the role of Conrad Earp the writer and isn’t given a single essential scene. The same can be said for Liev Schreiber (X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE), Matt Dillon (Wayward Pines), Jeff Goldblum (INDEPENDENCE DAY), Adrien Brody (SEE HOW THEY RUN), Willem Dafoe (THE GREAT WALL), Margot Robbie (THE SUICIDE SQUAD), who are all shoved so far into the background that the movie really didn’t need any of them. We do get a bit of Steve Carell who plays the Hotel Manager, so that is fine. I liked Tilda Swinton as Dr. Hickenlooper but she really isn’t given much time to shine. Then on top of all that we have Bryan Cranston (GODZILLA) who is really just a cheesy narrator in this. 

Anyway – you read that you saw all the talent we barely see and those missed opportunities just killed a lot of what could have been great about this. Also, the weird way in which it is told and the overall lack of a plot are problematic. The movie even kind of just makes fun of the audience for expecting a coherent plot. 

Overall for the bits of charm, I didn’t hate this thing and my love affair with 1950’s sci-fi is un-relenting, so this one squeezes out a 4 out of 7 rating, but I would be lying if I said the final result wasn’t a letdown. Focus Features has been hit and miss, but I really liked POLITE SOCIETY so my hopes were sky-high for this thing. I think for a lot of people this is going to be “Just Okay” to “Barely Watchable”. 

GRAPHICS ARE THE PROPERTY OF FOCUS FEATURES AND ARE USED FOR REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY.