Summary
I recently watched Channing Tatum’s new historical romantic comedyFly Me to the Moon, which reminded me of why I love him and made me even more excited to watch his upcoming August 2024 movie.Fly Me to the MoonearnedTatum his career-second-best Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score. I personally rated the movie 4.5 stars onLetterboxd, where it currently holds an average rating of 3.2. In contrast,Fly Me to the Moon’sRotten TomatoesAudience Score is a strong 89%, far surpassing its 66% Tomatometer rating.
WhileFly Me To The Moonreceived mixed reviews, Channing Tatum’s performance is undeniable. I’ve been a fan of him for years, butI’ll admit, I don’t always rush to the theaters to see a Channing Tatum movie. While I was skeptical aboutFly Me To The Moon, I went to see it because it stars Tatum and Scarlett Johansson. Fortunately, I wasn’t disappointed. Between Tatum and Johansson’s performances, the entertaining script, and the amazingFly Me to the Moonsoundtrack, I had a great time at the theater.
Fly Me To The Moon Brings Channing Tatum Back To A Genre That Made Him A Star
Fly Me To The Moon Is A Romantic Comedy
Channing Tatum made his film debut in 2005 as part of the cast ofthe biographical sports dramaCoachCarter. The following year, Tatum had a breakthrough year with the romantic filmsShe’s the ManandStep Up, which were released within 6 months of each other. ThoughShe’s the Manis a romantic comedy andStep Upis a romantic drama, the movies showedromance is the perfect genre for Tatum, and it’s what made him a star.
It also made Tatum, who was 26 at the time, a heartthrob. Both movies showed off his athleticism and toned body, with him playing a soccer player inShe’s the Manand a dancer inStep Up. This has continued throughout his career, with him being named the “Sexiest Man Alive” byPeople Magazinein 2012, the same year the firstMagic Mikemovie premiered. Still, Tatum hasn’t just skated by on his looks, as his acting talent is what keeps me coming back to his movies, particularly his romantic films.
Channing Tatum’s 7 Romance Movies, Ranked
In a varied career spanning multiple genres, Channing Tatum has secured his status as an A-lister thanks to his multiple successful romance movies.
Part of what makes Tatum so good at romantic comedies is his seemingly effortless ability to create chemistry with his costars.Tatum and Johansson have great chemistry inFly Me to the Moon, which helps make the movie so entertaining and intriguing. The same can be said forStep Up(in which he co-starred with ex-wife Jenna Dewan),She’s the Man, and more. Channing Tatum’s return to romance movies in recent years, with movies likeThe Lost CityandFly Me To The Moon, is great news for his future filmography.
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Channing Tatum Gives One Of His Best Performances In Fly Me To The Moon
Channing Tatum Shows Off His Acting Range As Cole Davis
Fly Me to the Moonis a great romantic comedy, and it offers one of Channing Tatum’s best performances to date. As aforementioned, Tatum and Johansson have electric chemistry from the first time they meet all the way throughFly Me to the Moon’sending. Even when Cole and Kelly (Johansson) are at odds, their connection is palpable, and that’s a credit to both actors. However, it’s not just the romance and comedy parts that Tatum absolutely nails in the movie.
Scarlett Johansson’s real-life husband, Colin Jost, has a small role inFly Me to the Moon.
Tatum also gives a strong emotional performance inFly Me to the Moon, effectively capturing Cole Davis’ PTSDfrom the failed Apollo 1 mission. Tatum might be best known for his romantic comedies, action movies, and somewhat guilty pleasure movies like theMagic Miketrilogy, butFly Me to the Moonproves he has great range as an actor. This shouldn’t be surprising given Tatum’s bestRotten Tomatoesscore is for 2022’sDog, in which he plays an Army Ranger. The movie also has an emotional throughline, even with its comedy.
What Happened To The Real Cole Davis At NASA After Fly Me To The Moon
Though most of the Fly Me to the Moon characters are fictional, Cole Davis was inspired by a real NASA employee who went on to do more amazing things.
Channing Tatum’s Next Movie Is Completely Different From Fly Me To The Moon
Channing Tatum Is Going To Play A Villain
Fortunately for Channing Tatum fans like myself, the actor already has his next movie lined up.Blink Twiceis set to be released in theaters on July 20, 2025. However, unlike the movies I’ve been praising throughout this article, it won’t be a romance movie. Rather, it’s a thriller. With its lack of romance, it’s ironically also the directorial debut of his reported fiancée Zöe Kravitz.This isn’t Tatum’s first thriller, as his 2013 psychological thriller movie,Side Effects, received positive reviewsand performed well at the box office.
Over 10 years later,Tatum gets to flex his thriller skills again withBlink Twice. Admittedly, I’m not much of a thriller fan, butFly Me to the Moonand Tatum’s performance have convinced me to push past my scaredy-cat instincts and head to the theaters forBlink Twice. Almost 20 years into his acting career, it’s about time that Tatum’s talent and range get the praise it deserves.Fly Me to the Moonwill hopefully help people open their eyes and see Channing Tatum as more than a heartthrob, andBlink Twicecould really drive that home.
