This is a film about Spirit and Opportunity. Literally.
Spirit and Opportunity are the names given to two rovers sent to Mars in 2003. They were expected to last 90 days but lasted an unprecedented 7 and 14 years respectively. This new documentary captures the story of the team behind the rovers from launch until the final moment of communication, but it feels like the story of two rovers with personalities all their own.
If you've been looking for the next My Octopus Teacher (2021 Best Documentary Oscar winner), it has arrived.
The rovers captured images of Mars, not themselves of course. Shown via FX from Industrial Light and Magic, we have the opportunity to see what wasn't shot on Mars and glimpse the semi-humanness of the rovers. I dare say that it will take you by surprise. From guiding the rovers through survival moments where centimeters matter to asking Oppy to take a selfie, the Mission Control team and rovers featured in this document offer genuine cinematic entertainment. Good Night Oppy offers the chance to see engineers and scientists problem-solve, and also solve how to work together. It is truly fascinating and inspiring to be behind the scenes.
All this didn't need a voiceover by Angela Bassett (What's Love Got To Do With It, Wakanda Forever) to be big, but it does have that too. These rovers delivered more emotional wallop of the year than all the Avengers, Horror villains and mavericks that graced the cinema this year.
In a nutshell: A snappy, lighthearted crowdpleaser with heart. One of the best films of 2022.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Award potential: Should be a frontrunner for Best Documentary. It's unlikely to make the Best Picture list, but I got more out of it than The Fablemans, Tar and other films in the running.
The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks.
If you've been looking for the next My Octopus Teacher (2021 Best Documentary Oscar winner), it has arrived.
The rovers captured images of Mars, not themselves of course. Shown via FX from Industrial Light and Magic, we have the opportunity to see what wasn't shot on Mars and glimpse the semi-humanness of the rovers. I dare say that it will take you by surprise. From guiding the rovers through survival moments where centimeters matter to asking Oppy to take a selfie, the Mission Control team and rovers featured in this document offer genuine cinematic entertainment. Good Night Oppy offers the chance to see engineers and scientists problem-solve, and also solve how to work together. It is truly fascinating and inspiring to be behind the scenes.
All this didn't need a voiceover by Angela Bassett (What's Love Got To Do With It, Wakanda Forever) to be big, but it does have that too. These rovers delivered more emotional wallop of the year than all the Avengers, Horror villains and mavericks that graced the cinema this year.
In a nutshell: A snappy, lighthearted crowdpleaser with heart. One of the best films of 2022.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Award potential: Should be a frontrunner for Best Documentary. It's unlikely to make the Best Picture list, but I got more out of it than The Fablemans, Tar and other films in the running.
The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks.
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