Stay home with the family

Rating: 6/10 (28 January 2007)

Firstly, you know that space research can produce benefits in terms of the spill-over effects of technological breakthroughs. But then probably even a most senseless but challenging task humanity may set itself might bring about such results. Secondly, less appealing is the idea that its motive in a conflict like the Cold War may be the quest for prestige (not that bad a prospect) and/or for a better shooting position (no 'prospect'). Thirdly, while it doesn't sound bad, a mortal being with the limitations of a lifetime's perspective understandably is just not so moved by the idea that one day our proverbial grandchildren might be able to speed off to another planet and thus make it till the grand finale of the universe in the End, thanks to space research.
So, what I found interesting about this space movie is that it shows the importance of coming back more than that of going out, and that so it puts the whole debate above into a funny perspective, rather unintentionally of course. Let's just stay here, get everyone into safety on Earth, all of humanity. What a warm and pleasing thought indeed. Otherwise, the film is rather mediocre, I thought. And the schematic film score made me shake my head in disapproval every now and again.