The Aeronauts (2019)

December 22, 2019 6:48 AM

Pilot Amelia Rennes and scientist James Glaisher find themselves in an epic fight for survival while attempting to make discoveries in a gas balloon.
posted by ellieBOA (3 comments total)

Though I knew this was hitting Amazon soon, a local cinema had the 70mm print a couple of weeks ago, so we went to see that. Totally worth it, it looks *amazing* in that format. So much colour!

I could have done without the "turn the ballon inside-out" ending; dropping the basket was enough, and didn't distract me with wondering if it could work.
posted by rhamphorhynchus at 7:46 AM on December 23, 2019

Felt like it couldn't decide on being a gritty humans vs nature survival flick or a campy period melodrama. The opening scene with Amelia in her out of place outfit having a panic attack confused me as to exactly what kind of movie it was going to be and that's kinda how the whole movie played out for me.
posted by M Edward at 8:24 PM on December 31, 2019

I liked a great deal about this, and was struck by curiosity about how they got the exterior shots on the balloon climb so visually persuasive. The answer, improbably, is that they built a real gas balloon and shot significant footage of the balloon itself in flight with a stuntperson climbing the rigging. Significant aspects of the aerial footage are practical, in camera, non-CGI shots.
posted by mwhybark at 10:23 AM on January 2, 2020 [2 favorites]