Review of The American Astronaut (2001) by The Cardinal R — 11 May 2007

The monolog intro is a bit reminiscent of Twilight Zone, but does not sound as sinister. Oh, and "it?s my birthday". What? Yes the movie jumps headlong into the randomness like a deaf child playing ball next to a freeway. But very soon, the introductory song reminiscent of something from the B-52?s, catchy and funky, makes you forget that last nonsense.

In an effort to recapture the bygone days of campy special effects, the creators utilize comic-book like illustrations and animations for the space-faring scenes. Visually ordinary, yet trying very hard for some older-generation sci-fi thriller, it is shot in black and white, with a single light source for illumination. It also supplements the dingy atmosphere of the locations, adding to that backwater feel.

It?s like a hybrid movie. This is the unhappy child of a mating between a western and a space opera. If you could imagine Deliverance meets Buck Rogers. The music is great, it?s funky, a little rocky, and it plays like a great jam session. It?s almost one long music video, and it?s kind of cool that way?it almost works.

I really laughed at the absurdity of the ?special effects? like the comic-book cut-scenes, the low-gravity walk. Didn?t you know, in low gravity, everyone skips everywhere!?

The whole film felt too random. I dig random. I enjoy being surprised, bewildered, confused, and even having to pay attention to follow the plotline. But this absurdity was just shy of ridiculous, and I felt the movie lost points there. I did try to find the sound track, but I didn?t need it enough to buy it at auction. I did get a chuckle, though, so the whole experience isn?t a total write-off.