Ad Astra Review: 7 Ups & 3 Downs
Ups...
7. Brad Pitt's Low-Key Brilliant Performance
Even in its worst moments, Ad Astra is held firmly aloft by Brad Pitt's terrific performance as McBride, delivering a subtle, guarded performance that couldn't be much further from the effervescent sort of turn you'd expect from an A-lister lead performance in a movie this expensive.
In the early stages in particular, Pitt is forced to internalise a lot of information and play his cards close to the chest, and as his mission becomes increasingly dangerous and desperate, he gradually emerges from his emotional shell.
Between this and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Pitt's had quite the summer, and while his turn here may prove a little too reined-in for Academy voters, there are sure to be those passionate cheerleaders who will be gunning for him throughout awards season.