The Last Push (2012)

The Last Push: Directed by Eric Hayden. With Khary Payton, Lance Henriksen, Brian Baumgartner, James Madio. When a tragic accident cuts short the first manned mission to explore life on the moons of Jupiter, Michael Forrest must make the 3 year journey home to Earth in pure solitude.

“An American sci-fi adventure. A story about an astronaut who has to make a three-year journey home to Earth, cutting short the first manned mission to explore the moons of Jupiter. This is a low budget film with an interesting premise about solitude which offers a modicum of intrigue. It foregoes special effects and aims to create the sense of isolation and boredom and mental wellbeing of an astronaut on a deep space mission. To a degree it succeeds, but it dwells on the boredom of the astronaut so much that there are too many blank frames and scenes that feel like overkill; the inaction highlights a few inaccuracies and inconsistencies with space capsule design and conditions of habitation to the more discerning eye. The astronaut characters were not convincing as suitable personalities for deep space endurance; showing contrast between the two personalities was not done with much subtlety. Similarly, some of the ground staff that were portrayed were at odds with the professionalism we know of highly technical aeronautical flight direction staff. The film ends with a weak twist which may be unsatisfying for some and although it is thought-provoking, it leaves some unanswered questions. Khary Payton does a fairly good job of portraying a man who is near breaking point. There is a particularly spectacular scene showing Venusu0026#39; atmosphere, which is welcome diversion. The filmu0026#39;s sound effects and music add a lot to the storyu0026#39;s mood and tone.”