Nerds That Geek Movie Review: 'Moonwalkers'

Written by Scotty Edwards

These days, it is difficult to tell what is real and what is fake in our movies. With so many special effects and CGI becoming more realistic in every film, well, we might not even need actors in a couple years. It is hard to imagine that the line of reality and fiction could be crossed so quickly in our time, but with so much technology at our fingertips, how could it not. I am happy to say that I can still point out the differences quickly in movies, but only when I watch them on my outdated television.

Kidman has been given an assignment that is of vital importance to the United States; to find Stanley Kubrick before the attempted moon landing and make up a moon walking scene that can be televised to the world. Being fresh out of Vietnam, Kidman is hoping for some down time, but there is no rest for the veteran as he is sent to England. With an in to find the director of 2001: A Space Odyssey, he believes that his job will be easy, but it turns out that nothing is quite what it seems. After meeting with Kubrick and his manager, Kidman believes that everything is in the bag, but when he finds out that he has been swindled, all bets are off.

Jonny is trying his hardest to be a successful manager of a band, but things are not working out the way he wanted. With all kinds of complaints about the venues and pay, Jonny is on his last leg, especially without being able to pay off his loan shark. While in his cousin’s office, Jonny is approached by Kidman who is looking to meet with Stanley Kubrick and makes the arrangement on his own, but there is only one problem, he does not know the famed director. Cutting his best mates beard, Leon has taken on the role of Kubrick and agrees to the American contract. Thinking that they are in the clear, Jonny has a great night out with his new briefcase full of cash, but little does he know that his loan shark is on the hunt to be paid back.

Finding that he has been cheated out of his money, Kidman is able to track Jonny and Leon down, but now he is in a race against time to get the moon landing scene filmed. Talking to Renatus, Jonny’s director friend, Kidman sees that it may be possible to make the deadline. Needing to get the CIA’s cash back to shoot the short, Kidman is able to secure the funds from the loan shark and keeps Jonny and his mates in check.  But being in a different terrain, Kidman is not ready for what will be put in front of him and when he finds out the problems of producing, even when making a short film, he is in over his head. Making the deadline is Kidman’s priority, but there is more to filmmaking that is never seen on the big screen.

Moonwalkers has had me flashing back to every movie that was ever made in the 60’s. I can't say I ever quite understood what was happening behind the camera when it comes to the trippy effects from that era, and well, this movie may have finally answered my questions. With only a limited amount of time, Kidman is forced to go with the ‘B’ squad when making his film and even thought it does not seem possible, money talks in any language. The characters in this movie are just fantastic and even though it is Jonny and Kidman running the scenes, Leon is the diamond in the rough and just excellent. I was ecstatic when the moon landing took place and the filming was happening, just a pure piece of humor on the screen. You might not believe that man has ever been on the moon, but after watching this, you might change your mind.  

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