“Spaceship Earth” misses the mark on a fundamental level: it recounts a story that doesn't capture interest. The film has a fascinating premise—the dramatic downfall of Arizona’s Biosphere 2 project—but fails to deliver what viewers are hoping for. Director Matt Wolf instead centers his attention on the 1960s counterculture movement that inspired the group of unappealing individuals who became “Biospherians.” It does offer a look behind the scenes, but it doesn't show you what you’re really wanting to see. In 1991, eight people with idealistic visions committed two years to living in complete isolation inside an artificial replica of Earth’s ecosystems, intending to record their experiences as they faced a potential ecological catastrophe. The large, 3.14-acre structure, located in the Arizona desert, contained a tropical rainforest, desert area, savannah grassland, mangrove wetlands, and an ocean with a coral reef. Biosphere 2 became a global sensation, raising awareness about environmental issues while also confronting claims that those involved were part of a cult. It’s an odd story about dreamers who experienced a significant failure, and the documentary follows their journey. The movie devotes too much time to the origins of the project, featuring a lengthy and tedious exploration of the lives of the dome's residents and their reverence for John Allen and Synergia Ranch. None of them prove particularly engaging or even pleasant. Despite the considerable focus on their personal stories, we still don’t discover that much about who they are. Wolf attempts to make it about the individuals rather than the project itself, when the project is significantly more compelling. The documentary glosses over what life was like inside the dome, quickly moving through the routines of living in separation from the outside world. It avoids addressing questions viewers have and instead wanders off on detours that aren’t relevant. The most appealing segments are clips showing everyday activities such as gathering food, preparing meals, and exercise. As tension and frustration (and near starvation) increase, their utopian vision begins to fall apart publicly. “Spaceship Earth” feels like a dull, scholarly presentation, and it's difficult to recommend a documentary that deserved so much more than what it provides.

Source on TMDB