Space Cadet (2024)

Space Cadet 2024

4/10
A lack of ambition fails to bring this film all the way to the stars

Our take

Like posters and stills of Space Cadet suggest, the film is cute and, occasionally, fun. Emma Roberts is bubbly and funny enough to carry the feature-length movie on her back, and the visuals, which are shock of Lisa Frank glittery pink, elevate an otherwise bland landscape. But the film doesn’t reach far enough into the sky to be the truly weird and out-there film it could be. Instead, it relies on implausible plot lines and go-girl messages to become yet another flatly inspiring film about how anyone can be anything if they just believed in themselves. Space Cadet proves that Legally Blone meets Apollo 11 has potential, but it’s not the film meant to land the idea home.

Synopsis

Tiffany "Rex" Simpson has always dreamed of going to space, and her "doctored" application lands her in NASA's ultra-competitive astronaut training program. In over her head, can this Florida girl rely on her quick wits, moxie and determination to get through training and into the cosmos before she blows her cover?

Storyline

Floridian bartender Rex (Emma Roberts) gets invited to train as a NASA astronaut after her friend fabricates Rex’s resume. Instead of backing out, Rex is determined to finish the program and prove her spot in space.

TLDR

People know there’s a limit to the Ratatouille adage, “Anyone can cook,” right?

What stands out

The film could've done with more Poppy Liu. She's effortlessly hilarious!