Review: "The Aeronauts" is a Balloon Ride Worth Taking

Scene from The Aeronauts

Think back for a moment and try to answer this question: when has there been a nonfiction movie about a scientist that was... exciting? While the revelations that one finds through meticulous research can lead to world-changing events, nobody could mistake the story of, say, Marie Curie or Peter Higgs as a film on par with Tom Cruise's latest action flick. Then again, that's where director Tom Harper dares to dream. The Aeronauts is a mixed bag in terms of authenticity, but what he does with a hot air balloon feels revolutionary, presenting a perspective on cinema that hasn't been covered before. Imagine a Jules Verne story brought to life, full of wondrous discoveries and peril from inside the claustrophobic space of a basket. For as much as the film has issues getting things off the ground, it still delivers the goods when it gets there and elevates this goofy premise into one of the best surprises of 2019. It's a biopic worthy of its action beats, and it will have those willing to embrace is tone in a constant state of awe.

“The Aeronauts” Goes Up Up and Away in a Beautiful Trailer

Scene from The Aeronauts

With dozens of trailers seemingly dropping by the day, it becomes difficult to keep track of them all. Still, between Netflix and Amazon Studios alone, the calendar is already full of promising new titles that promise to make the season more exciting. Then again, Amazon may have saved the best for last with director Tom Harper’s The Aeronauts, which is a look at the history of hot air balloons starring two Oscar-nominated performers teaming up for the first time since The Theory of Everything. While that alone is rather exciting, the popping imagery only adds to the curiosity of what this true story has in store. More importantly, can a movie with scenes this wild stand a chance at the Oscars?