Astro Loco (2021) User Reviews

Boring and pointless to the point of being unbearable...

[paul_haakonsen · 2/10 · 13 November 2021]

When I read the synopsis for the 2021 sci-fi comedy "Astro Loco", I have to say that it actually sounded like this movie might actually be fun enough to watch. Had I heard about writer and director Aaron McJames' 2021 sci-fi comedy prior to watching it? No. Still, I opted to watch it, believing in given a movie a fair chance.

And let me just be the first to say, don't venture here. Especially not if you value a movie with a properly written script. You know, the type that contains a properly entertaining storyline. Or the type that contains well-written characters with lots of nuances and layers. Or the type of movie with riveting dialogue that allows you to submerge deep into the setting of the movie. Or the type of movie with acting performances that just wins you over time and time again.

All of those are not present here. Yup, you will not find any of those in "Astro Loco". Nay. Instead you will be in for an amazingly boring and monotonous storyline that is driven with the narrative of a withered leaf in a weak wind. Writer and director Aaron McJames swung and missed hard here, because "Astro Loco" offers nothing worthwhile, interesting or entertaining with this 2021 movie.

The acting performances in "Astro Loco" were every bit as wooden, rigid, unnuanced and stale as the storyline was. So I suppose, in a way, that the two actually match and compliment one another.

Visually then "Astro Loco" wasn't all that bad. Sure, this was a low budget and low key movie, no doubt about it. But honestly speaking, I have seen worse eyesores in the sci-fi genre. So at least "Astro Loco" has that aspect working in favor of it.

As for "Astro Loco" being a comedy. Well, that is stretching it to the point where it just doesn't hold up anymore. I didn't even laugh a single time throughout the course of this movie. Nor did I even manage to smirk or smile from what transpired on the screen. So writer and director Aaron McJames didn't hit a homerun here.

My rating of "Astro Loco" lands on a more than generous two out of ten stars.

Not What You Expect!

[DonSwanson · 16 September 2021]

I wasn't really sure what to expect when diving into this Indie gem! It's very witty and the humor works quite well. It is clearly a lower-budget indie, but the that indie heart shines through in every detailed element of this film. Definitely worth you the watch!

Yuck this so called movie is yuck

[shanewilkinsonnz · 1/10 · 12 September 2021]

The constant food eating and slurping and gurgling of other forms of personal edification make this b grade movie un watchable.

One Star is too much for the bad acting and ridiculous performances.

Please destroy all copies of this so called movie now.

A great gem

[i-never-reply · 7/10 · 5 September 2021]

Made with a $10 budget, the result is priceless.

No cliches and nothing over the top, the humor is on point and the acting doesn't leave a bad taste. The special effects were done at home but it really doesn't matter as they're used sparingly. Legitimately a decent film with engaging storyline and twists.

Fun Indie Sci-Fi Film

[JGReviews · 8/10 · 2 September 2021]

Astro Loco is fun indie sci-fi film that likes to revel in paranoia and the bizarre. The sci fi genre is one of my favorites and I'm always impressed at what indie films can do in a genre that seems, on the surface, to require a massive budget. But what Astro Loco and others like it do, is show that sometimes talented and hustling indie filmmakers can make a dollar really stretch far (and can have some really convincing fx shots in space), and that they often can bring a bit more creativity to more formulaic Hollywood-fare. If you can appreciate indie sci fi films like me, and you're interested in a modern take on a space crew slowly growing mad, then check out Astro Loco.

Pretty Chill

[A_Masry · 6/10 · 29 August 2021]

It's a chill comedy with a unique backdrop. You can definitely see the indie in this film but it still delivers a few chuckles. The dialogues are very interesting and fit each character adequately. It's one of these movies you don't know if it's really good or really bad, but i see myself watching this again.

A Dark Star feel movie for the 21st Century

[tim_dearing-1 · 6/10 · 11 September 2021]

This film has all the hallmarks of a future cult classic. The acting is not at all bad, the sets are relatively good for a movie with such an infinitely minute budget, the humour is great and the entire plot is one step to the left of box of frogs mad bonkers. What's not to love?

If you think you're going to be watching a movie with the effects of the latest Star Trek, the budget of Guardians of The Galaxy and the plot complexity of a John le Carré novel, you're in for a rude awakening. But if you love completely independent movies with wit, originality and a dose of mad cap Dark Staresque plot lines, you're in for a genuine treat.

Enjoy................. or not.

Unique and Fun Space Odyssey

[briandilorenzofilm · 9/10 · 31 August 2021]

I really enjoyed Aaron McJames' "Astro Loco," a sharp, satirical space adventure with punk-rock energy and sharp comedic timing to spare. Made on what I presume is a limited budget, the special effects were impressive and the humor between the cast was top-notch.

I especially enjoyed the little asides and rants, such as referring to dub-step as the "golden oldies". I also loved the camaraderie between the characters, such as their drinking game / cheers game and an extended debate over who on the ship is most likely to be a cockroach.

I also really appreciated the A. I. who commandeered the ship, had much more humanity to it than I anticipated... from the Southern accent, to the disappointment of losing a "friend", this was a much needed tweak to the classic "HAL" type villain we've come to expect.

If you're looking for a unique space odyssey in the sci-fi realm, outside of the regular Hollywood machine, "Astro Loco" is for you.

Space "Campy"!

[baccaruda1 · 7/10 · 6 September 2021]

The title says everything you need to know...this sci-fi flick doesn't take itself too seriously and has a vibe that made me recall all of the B movies I loved as a kid, with SFX that are straight out of "Famous Monsters of Filmland". A well-done indie, with effects that are impressive for a micro-budget. I can only imagine what the director Aaron McJames could do with a budget that is more deserving of his talent.

Fun, Campy, and Unexpected

[LiveFrogsUpMyArse · 7/10 · 11 September 2021]

I watch a lot of B-movies, from old 50s classics to modern low budget sleaze. This one is pretty good considering the obviously micro-budget. I was surprised a few times, by the plot. It has a different feel to many other low budget movies, I felt like I was watching something I hadn't seen before.

Astro Loco knows it is low budget sci-fi and plays on it - with some cool, cheap effects, props and costumes. This made me giggle a few times.

Definitely a film to watch late at night with a few friends, and a few beers.

A Quirky DIY Aussie Sci-Fi

[jj-mac · 8/10 · 27 November 2021]

What sets Astro Loco apart is that it is hard to pin down. It's a thoroughly independent lo-fi DIY sci-fi comedy shot on a shoe-string budget with shades of ALIEN, Dark Star, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Red Dwarf.

Despite it's B-movie trappings and constraints it ends up separating itself from other similar films due to its quirky, off-beat nature, blended together with surprisingly poignant and at times profound ideas.

The well written and funny characters at the core of the film and the "Rednecks in Space" vibe throughout (including a great soundtrack by Mojo Nixon) only add to Astro Loco's charm and uniqueness.

A very enjoyable Australian produced indie film that you should check out, especially if you're looking to make your own films.

Unexpectedly fun to watch!

[geoffawilliams-95702 · 7/10 · 4 October 2021]

I have troubles watching a whole film in one sitting, but must admit I had to keep watching this one to know what was happening next! Comedy and Sci-Fi mixed, and fun to watch. I definitely did not guess the ending, well done with the story line as well. Just a few slow bits to the story, but all in all easy to follow.

A good clean relaxing, and as I said, fun to watch movie.

Love this Movie

[MovieJunkies01 · 7/10 · 2 September 2021]

I found myself cracking up so much throughout this entire movie. It's a dark space comedy with stellar acting. Just my type of flick. My sister and I have "Movie Night" out in her backyard with a huge portable screen. We invite a bunch of people over to bbq and watch movies so this movie is definitely going on the list. It's funnnnnyyy!!! The scenes are creative and the Actors ALL did a Fantastic job. Kudos to the writer/Director as I was thoroughly entertained.

A wonderful indie sci fi gem

[adrianjettleon · 8/10 · 9 September 2021]

This film reminded me so much of the sci-fi films I grew up watching and reading about in Cinefantastique during the 1980's. It has an interesting premise with colorful characters on one of my favorite film locations of all time, an immense spaceship. I really dig the model and outer space compositing work. The interior sets were beautifully designed and the cinematography was appropriately stylized. Most importantly, the cast had great chemistry. If you like independent cinema, campy film and intelligent sci-fi, you've found a winner.

Delightfully low-budget

[sangatjeetk · 6/10 · 16 October 2021]

A fun, charming indie film with the oddest, most awkward pacing and dialogues. Numerous confused frowns, delighted grins, and an occasional hearty chuckle guaranteed.

A fun micro-budgeted Sci-Fi Comedy

[eddie_baggins · 6/10 · 6 September 2021]

For his first feature length film, released recently via Amazon Prime across the globe, Australian writer/director Aaron McJames channels his inner Dark Star to create a micro-budgeted sci-fi/comedy oddity that relishes in its rough around the edges delivery to produce an outing that is sure to find a nice place amongst the cult circuit of independent films that are adored by film fans seeking out something very far from the mainstream.

Seemingly a passion project for McJames, who clearly knows his genre entries with Astro Loco featuring a number of throwbacks and winks to films such as 2001: A Space Oddity, Aliens and Sunshine but despite his film feeling indebted to these type of science fiction classics (as well as John Carpenter's DIY sensibilities that served him so well over a number of decades), Astro Loco does feel like its own beast as we follow a motley crew on a more than likely doomed mission across the galaxy on the request of a money making focused organization.

Marking the return to screen for Australian actor David Argue, who made a name for himself in key appearances in classic Australian films like Gallipoli, BMX Bandits and Razorback, Astro Loco features a willing cast inhabiting our vessel who find themselves bickering and clashing with one other over various occurrences that is exasperated by the ever present presence of the Jon Reep voiced A. I Hetfield, who is starting too showcase worrying signs as his intelligence and understanding of humanity begins to evolve.

Reading the films synopsis or watching the films trailer may make one think they know what they're in for when they sit down to watch Astro Loco but thankfully McJames ensures his film takes enough unsuspecting twists and turns and features a wonderfully pitch black comedic sensibility that you often feel as though this dialogue heavy outing, which puts characters above spectacle (both due to budgetary reasons and narrative purposes), is a surprising and imaginative affair.

Undoubtedly held back by its financial restraints, casting necessities and some punchlines and emotional beats that don't quite stick the landing, when taken for what it is, Astro Loco is a fine example of getting things done with the bare basics and signals a director who deserves more chances to apply his trade on a more fiscally backed outing.

Final Say -

A fun and inventive feature length diversion that is sure to find its fans in the cult film world, Astro Loco is a sci-fi comedy that has enough heart and imagination to be worth your time.

3 games of squash out of 5.

Campy, Zany, Fun

[veronikaaifeld · 8/10 · 17 October 2021]

It's a B movie done right!

Cheap, fun, creative and clearly made with love. Ripped old onesies for spacesuits, intentionally awkward pacing, pretty decent acting, and a whole lot of ingenuity.

It was refreshing to see an actual Russian-speaker play a Russian character, for once, and the character of Sebastian is fantastic. What a great squash player.

Axioms of Faith

[nogodnomasters · 6/10 · 20 December 2023]

In 2074 the spaceship Araya is on its way to Callisto, a moon of Jupiter. They are to meet up with a mining station that mines rare earth elements. We are introduced to Captain Odd (Frank Handrum) falling flat on his back during a failed trust exercise. We later get to know Dasha (Dasha Naumova), Rex (Hayley Dallimore), Sebastian (Nick Sun), and Lucien (David Argue) a bit later. They get a mayday from a nearby ship, the Petrozza but the computer hides it.

The film is designed to be a comedic spoof of "Lost in Space", "Alien," "2001...," "Garvity?" and possibly "Rollerball." The humor was not great. I didn't see any spoofing of "Star Trek" or Star Wars" which would have been easy. As a space spoof it was not as funny as "Spaceballs" or "Galaxina." Sebastian was my favorite.

Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity.

Fun comedy

[daria-nazarova · 9/10 · 1 September 2021]

I love space movies and comedies - so enjoyed it a lot! Fun characters and great production!

Will watch again!

[rahzelle · 10/10 · 5 September 2021]

I loved this movie so much! It has a really unique look and vibe, feels very fresh and sleek, while also reminding me of all the movies I loved when I was a kid! A really original dark/ quirky comedy which visually looks super slick and retro. This was such a refreshing and fun film! Will watch again 💫 💫 💫

Sci-fi

[artistgp · 8/10 · 22 September 2021]

I heard someone else describe Astro Loco as a space opera and I definitely like that term. It was so different and so much fun! Creating spaceship interiors is a huge challenge so mad props to the entire team for pulling that one off. I'd definitely recommend checking this one out. I liked it a lot.

Well done little comedy movie

[anjanipandey · 9/10 · 30 August 2021]

I enjoyed watching it. Kudos to cast & crew of Astro Loco.

Campy sci-fi fun!

[bartlettdirect · 8/10 · 22 September 2021]

The effects are indie perfect and there to make us laugh as much as the interaction between this terrific cast, aided by a relentless onslaught of weirdly fun dialogue. If you like smart movie spoofs you won't be disappointed with this one.

An indie film worth watching

[jimborussell · 8/10 · 8 September 2021]

Syfy, comedy, great characters - who doesn't love that? I had a great time watching this film because it was fun and very creative. This is true indie filmmaking at its best. Making the absolute most out of a lower budget and having as much fun and creativity as one can. Looking forward to the next one!

Gotta Love it.

[skinnyrie · 8/10 · 2 September 2021]

Enjoyed this movie! So much fun with this film. It reminded me of classic Sci-Fi I grew up on. I have a thing for Sci-Fi lately and this gave me the fix I needed. Had me cracking up and this Indy film was able to take my mind far into space, so for me that is a WIN. I would recommend and I would watch this again. :)