Ad Astra Review: 7 Ups & 3 Downs

Brad Pitt's long-awaited sci-fi epic Ad Astra is finally hitting cinemas, and critics have so far been roundly praising the ambitious, expectation-defying genre effort from James Gray (The Immigrant, The Lost City of Z).

And indeed, there's plenty to praise about Gray and Pitt's film, a unique sci-fi offering that has plenty on its mind and, while not always executing its vision perfectly, finds a firm compromise between populist blockbuster filmmaking and something a little more thoughtful.

Though it seems unlikely that the film will pick up enough momentum to become a major Oscar player outside of its stunning technicals, there's sure to be a passionate campaign for Brad Pitt's stellar lead performance, and Gray is nothing if not a director with a committed fanbase.

But like last year's First Man, Ad Astra feels destined to befuddle as many as it dazzles, and is probably set to become one of the most divisive tentpole movies of the year.

Yet for those craving thrills that venture slightly outside the box, it certainly delivers the goods...