The Last Push (2012) Reviews

• What a nice surprise!

  trans_mauro2013-11-03

  No megazillion budget. No zombies. No stupid romantic couples. No bathroom jokes. No unbelievable monsters, situations, technologies. No ultra stars. No social commentary. No problem! And still this is pretty darn good film. OK, it is a retelling of Robinson Crusoe and deals with human loneliness and the price we as humans have to pay for exploration, but it was a well made film, with a good actor and a character one roots for and wishes a g and save trip home. Probably it will appeal mostly to science fiction fans, but I would recommend it.

• Finally, An Honest Sci-Fi Movie

  dafttar2013-09-28

  I don't want to put down the Star Trek genre, and anyone who is honest doesn't consider Star Wars true science fiction. However, I want to say that it is truly wonderful to come across a movie like this that shows that "Sci-Fi" is not code for "Space Horror". This movie is truly what science fiction should be. And exploration of the human condition in extraordinary circumstances of advanced technology. Some may find this movie slow, but I thought it was beautiful. It is an excellent study of the human being in extraordinary circumstances, and one who retains his humanity. Movies like this are rare gems. It was a pleasure to see it and think about it. If you truly love real science fiction, then this is the movie for you.

• Finally a realistic Sci-Fi film

  ngwttintl2012-06-15

  I can't remember the last time a realistic sci-fi film has been made. Everything seems to be an extension of either Star Trek, Star Wars, or Alien. Never any gravity issues in any of those films, space exploration is simple, as easy as just boosting at light speed, or sleeping for decades without loss of muscle mass. The Last Push suggest what it may be like to be true vikings in a new ocean. Rather than being funded by governments, maybe it will take private industry to float away from Low Earth Orbit into the vast nothingness. The film builds into a unique climax, perhaps one of the more refreshing peaks in sometime. What begins as a man trapped in a spacecraft in deep space, becomes a possible clarion call for a new perspective regarding space exploration. This has more in common with Rocky than Moon. Man is defeated throughout this tale, but like Rocky he does not necessarily win in the end, but the viewer is left with an exciting promise. When I was young I would leave the theater after a Rocky film shadow boxing and wanting to fight a noble match, after The Last Push I want to travel into the nothingness above, not to victory, but because mankind must do this. Apparently this was shot with almost 0 money in a garage. Wow!!

• A good effort

  rachaelov2014-01-09

  Visually, the special effects, the set itself, and overall film quality was pretty good on what I assume was probably quite a small budget. In terms of physics I was far less convinced. The finale was wholly unconvincing and impossible, and it was amusing that the diagrams of the trajectory of slingshots were really passbys that would have added little momentum; and then the pointless burn; and that the sun seemed to be completely absent in any calculations or diagrams! Well, you can suspend disbelief, so it wasn't too much of a distraction. However the writing about the state of mind of the astronaut wasn't very convincing at all, and neither were his decisions at the end of the film. Physically in terms of his body, his hair, his clothes there were no changes or deterioration over what we're to believe is three years. Psychologically there wasn't much in the way of change either. In short I didn't believe this man spent three years in a tiny tin can. In the end I'd say this is a wholly worthy effort - it isn't dreadful or anything, and I didn't burst out laughing or shout at the screen. But in the end I was unconvinced, and insight into the human condition seems lacking. But I'll be interested to see what he does next.

• Add to your collection of favorite space movies.

  simplyshirleys2013-10-04

  This was a very enjoyable space movie. For much of the film you only see Khary Payton's character Michael Forest, doing his day to day routine astronaut activities. What could be a boring concept is not and you are entertained by his performance making you care deeply about his character Michael. You'll be asking yourself how would I handle being all alone in space. I am sure I would not be able to do it. I have even more respect for astronauts after watching this movie. All in all I think Payton's performance anchors the film and allows it to build to a surprising ending. I recommend this film to all movie lovers out there. If you collect space movies, you will definitely want to add this one.