REVIEW: Space Force Fails to Lift Off
Starring Steve Carell, John Malkovich and Lisa Kudrow, Space Force is a parody based on the United States Space Force, recently created by President Trump. In the Netflix series, General Mark R. Naird (Carell) has been recently named the head of the government’s new military branch, the Space Force. With the help of scientist, Dr. Adrian Mallory (Malkovich), Naird must find a way to get boots on the moon by 2025. However, his goal is met by criticism from his peers and many begin to believe Naird doesn’t have what it takes to keep this new branch running.
Created by Greg Daniels and Carell, Space Force has everything going for it. An A+ cast, an interesting storyline and great production design, but the pieces never come together. Each episode has the potential to create a funny and developed series, but eventually it just lets you down. It’s hard to believe that this show was created by Daniels, who was one of the masterminds behind shows such as The Office and Parks and Recreation. Even then, the first few episodes of those series started off slow, but eventually the series finds it way and you end up falling in love. This is not the case with Space Force. A number of the scenes that are meant to be funny fall flat and the dialogue feels forced rather than seamless. The series never finds it way off the ground, instead it just fails to launch.
Carell and Malkovich, unfortunately, can’t save this show. Their performances leave a lot to be desired and you never really end up rooting for them. Kudrow plays Naird’s wife, Maggie, and she too can’t help save this show. The sad thing about this whole thing is all three of these stars have been in hit comedies, so it is a shame that they can’t bring life to this show.
Ben Schwartz and Don Lake’s characters may be the only saving grace. Schwartz plays the Space Forces social media manager, F. Tony Scarapiducci and Lake plays Naird’s secretary, Brad Gregory. These two have a number of scenes together throughout the season and are actually pretty funny together. The writers should have capitalized on these two characters’ chemistry rather than keep them as minor secondary characters.
If you are looking for a comedy series to watch this weekend, I recommend watching some of Daniels’ old works. Parks and Recreations, The Office or even his new show, Upload. These shows have bumpy first episodes, or in Parks and Recs’ case a bumpy two seasons, but they eventually find their groove. And, maybe Space Force will need another season to eventually find its rhythm, but we will have to see if Netflix opts to take that risk. Until then, check out these other shows and if you desperately want a Space Force weekend, try Ben & Jerry’s new “Boots on the Moooo’n,” ice cream, which is based off the show or check out the SpaceX launch on Saturday, May 30.
Grade: C-