“Fly Me to the Moon” comes across as an extremely safe, polished television show intended for broad appeal. While director Greg Berlanti’s nostalgic romance does have some positive aspects, even the connection between the main actors and occasional inventive touches can't rescue the film from feeling stretched out and slow-paced. The story unfolds against the backdrop of NASA’s Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. Kelly, portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, a former swindler, is brought on board by Moe (Woody Harrelson), a discreet employee of President Nixon, to create a marketing campaign for a mission considered vital by the White House. Kelly faces a significant challenge, and her bold nature, unusual approaches, and creative solutions to improve the space agency’s public perception cause disruption for Cole Davis (Channing Tatum), the traditional launch director. She proves to be an obstacle and source of frustration for him, but he can't ignore the attraction between them whenever they interact. The movie functions adequately as a romantic comedy; Johansson and Tatum have a pleasant rapport that feels genuine, even if it isn’t particularly intense. Their lighthearted exchanges and evident fondness create some of the film’s most enjoyable moments, representing an endearing odd couple dynamic that brings much-needed humor to the story. The screenplay is flawed and unremarkable, with many attempts at comedy falling flat. The more appealing elements are weighed down by superfluous storylines that distract from the central narrative, contributing to the movie's excessive length. Certain sequences linger unnecessarily, especially when relying on familiar clichés, foreseeable plot developments, and well-worn conventions that don’t fully utilize the distinctive setting or historical background. There was a real opportunity to do so much more with this story in a far better way. Despite offering some agreeable diversion, “Fly Me to the Moon” is so cautious that it doesn't quite reach its potential. It feels overstuffed and bland, trying too hard to satisfy audiences and consequently losing most of the charm and genuineness that could have made it something truly memorable.

Source on TMDB