A Hollywood blockbuster that spectacularly crashed at the box office is set to provide what many fans call 'perfectly terrible' entertainment on television tonight. The science fiction disaster film Moonfall, boasting a star-studded cast, airs on Film 4 at 6.25pm on Sunday 21 December.
A Stellar Cast and a Lunar Catastrophe
With leading names like Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, and the late Donald Sutherland, the 2022 film had all the ingredients for success. Directed by disaster movie maestro Roland Emmerich, the plot follows NASA astronauts who uncover a terrifying secret about the moon that has been concealed for decades.
The story begins during a 2011 space shuttle repair mission. Astronauts Brian Harper (Wilson) and Jo Fowler (Berry) are attacked by a swarm of mysterious alien technology. Harper is the sole witness as the entities vanish into the lunar surface, a claim that gets him dismissed from NASA in disgrace. A decade later, a conspiracy theorist's shocking discovery forces a frantic battle to save Earth from a lunar threat.
Critical Disaster vs. Fan Adoration
Despite its pedigree, Moonfall was a major commercial failure. As one of the most expensive independent films ever made, with a budget around $150 million, its global takings of just $67 million were a heavy blow. Critics were equally unkind, awarding it a dismal 35% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Reviews at the time labelled it "completely insane" and "nuts," with one noting, "The third act... goes to places that are so insane that it will leave audiences slack-jawed." Another simply called the film "an actual disaster."
Yet, this is where the film found its unlikely niche. A devoted audience celebrates it precisely for its over-the-top, illogical spectacle. Fans argue it delivers pure, unadulterated entertainment. "Moonfall is exactly what it’s meant to be. It’s a big, bold disaster film that pulls us out of the disaster film that has become our lives," one supporter said online.
The 'So Bad It's Good' Phenomenon
This divide highlights the beloved 'so bad it's good' cinematic category. For many viewers, the film's sheer audacity is its charm. One fan pleaded for a sequel, stating, "Incredibly dumb but very entertaining and for that I loved it!... With how the world is right now we must get part 2 to save humanity."
Others praise it as a throwback to older, less scientifically rigorous sci-fi adventures, suggesting viewers "don't go in too deep, just watch it for the fun of it."
So, if you're in the mood for a high-budget, logic-defying adventure with A-list stars facing an apocalyptic lunar crisis, Moonfall on Film 4 tonight promises a uniquely entertaining experience. You can decide for yourself whether it's a disaster of filmmaking or a masterpiece of madness.
