GOOD NIGHT OPPY -- An Unexpectedly Humanistic Science Doc

Review by Sean Boelman

Image courtesy of Prime Video.

Sometimes, the best documentary subjects are the most unlikely ones. No one would probably think that a Mars rover would make for one of the most charming documentary subjects of the year, but Ryan White’s Good Night Oppy manages to tell an entertaining story thanks to the adorable robot at its center.

The film tells the inspiring story of the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity that was originally expected to have a lifetime of 90 days but ended up lasting for nearly 15 years. It’s a story that those who are familiar with NASA’s exploits may already be familiar with, but will be fascinating for those with a more casual interest in space.

In a way, the movie feels very similar to many tales of the human will and perseverance — although in this case, the film’s subject isn’t human. It’s certainly awe-inspiring to see how technology has progressed so immensely that an amazing, unbelievable feat like this can be achieved, even if it is only once-in-a-lifetime.

The movie definitely starts out in a very fun and humorous way, explaining some of the background of the mission and exploring some of the quirks of the team. One of the best sequences in the film talks about the “wake up songs” that the team plays each morning. However, as it stretches into its final act, it begins to lose a lot of steam.

Image courtesy of Prime Video.

Still, the movie is able to accomplish a deep characterization of a robot. The film does an extraordinary job of developing Opportunity as if it’s a human being with emotions and aspirations that we can root for. Even for people who aren’t particularly interested in space travel, it will be pretty difficult not to get attached to the adorable little rover.

That said, the movie’s not as good with the team of human scientists whose goal it was to get Oppy into space. Granted, there are a lot of people involved in this mission, so it would be impossible to give every technician and employee their due. Instead, the film opts more for the group’s sense of pride — bordering on jingoism at points.

The movie is also very impressive from a technical level, which is likely where the team at Amblin came in. There are some animated sequences recreating the mission and path that Oppy took on Mars, and while the use of recreations such as this in documentaries can sometimes lead the viewer to question the film’s authenticity, they look so real here that they are almost believable.

Like the titular robot, Good Night Oppy is able to accomplish some amazing things. Although the execution may not be perfect, excellent visuals and an unexpectedly emotionally resonant core make this a documentary more than worth recommending.

Good Night Oppy is now in theaters and streams on Prime Video beginning November 18.

Rating: 3.5/5