I have a hard and fast rule: Originals are better then remakes. Are there exceptions? Of course: The Maltese Falcon was a remake, so was the Loretta Young version of Christmas Eve, but those are part of the 1% or less of movies where the remake was better. This brings me to Moon Pilot. Disney who did the original needs to remake or rework this film. Why? It had an excellent idea: The very reluctant astronaut. Richmond Talbot (Tom Tyron) meets the beautiful space alien. Lyrae.( Dany. Saval), who is trying to save him from going crazy like a chimp did due to.proton rays. One scene really works: Where she can show the future with her mind, and it turns out they will have a son together. Spoilers ahead: At the end: He is alone in space and really misses Lyrae, and she is able to come to him and the end up going to her planet. Beta Lyrae. A really great concept. It also has a great supporting cast featuring Brian Keith ( Major General Vannerman) and Edmond O'Brien ( McClosky). O'Brien who is one of the most neglected actors in history, manages to steal the picture away from Tom Tyron, with an excellent comedic performance as an agent of National Security ( really FBI). Here is the problem: Tom Tyron. He neither looks like an astronaut, nor is funny, nor does he ever do anything to stand out in a positive way. He is basically a weak and pathetic character. Disney can easily remake the movie, get an actor who can do comedy or look like an astronaut ( or better yet both), cast another beautiful woman, get rid of the cringe worthy beatnik women scene, and add more science fiction and they might have a winner. Moon Pilot as is, I give 7/10 stars ( mostly for the concept, O'Brien and looking at Dany Savat. )It would be 10 except Tyron and the beatnik scene. Again: Please remake. Zendaya as Lyrae would work for me.
Review of Moon Pilot
