After an explosion in space and subsequent two-minute radio-out period, two astronauts return home to their wives. But they are not the same as they were.This is definitely not one of the more enjoyable performances from Johnny Depp, and comes across as off-putting and creepy. I understand this was partially the point, but even so it does nothing to highlight the talents of Mr. Depp.Although I cannot say what the film reminds me of, it seems like something I have seen before. The plot is so obvious, it just feels derivative and stale. Has this been done before? Is this a remake and we just don't know? And why is not all that good if the plot is interesting?

The plot of the movie is not good, however the cinematography is alright. Charlize Theron plays a sympathetic character and I thought she was the force that kept the energy in the film going. Johnny Depp has done better films (What's Eating Gilbert Grape) and I felt that he was wasted in this flick. The ending of the film was a major let down the first time I saw this film. I also thought the supposed twist at the end was an extra let down. I think the movie would have been better if the first half had stayed the same but lose the second half. The special effects were decent. I felt like this movie was an attempt at being "Rosemary's Baby." However Rosemary's Baby is a hard to mimic film. No actress can imitate Mia Farrow. Roman Polanski (despite his personality flaws and scandals) was a terrific director. In my opinion, I felt the director was trying to summon the same edginess from Rosemary's Baby for this film.

If not much else, The Astronaut's Wife allows for Johnny Depp to ramp up the creep factor nicely, playing severely disturbed NASA Commander Spencer Armacost, who has returned from a mission a little... different than when he set out. Upon a repair excursion on the space station, he came in contact with some strange phenomena which we never really see, apart from his reactions. He returns safely, and behaves normally enough for while, then starts to act very strangely indeed. His wife (Charlize Theron) notices first and slowly begins to feel terror towards him as he gets stranger and almost violent towards her. It's a silly premise that's given the head on treatment by writer/director Rand Ravich. There really isn't anywhere to go with such a setup but into generic thriller motions, which the film does, albeit in style. It's stunning visual work, to be sure, wit a silk smooth palette and aubern dominated color scheme that almost calls to mind Giger in places, which may have been their intention upon entering this genre. The story itself, however, is vague and muddled, while needlessly unleasent in others. Depp is fun to watch, clearly having fun going berserk inch by inch, Theron reliably solid yet without much to do except be scared and mistreated. Clea Duvall has a nice bit as her sister and one half of the woman's intuition that tries to smoke out whatever is hiding behind those perfect brown Depp eyes. Filling out the NASA roster is a nice assortment including Joe Morton, Nick Cassavetes and the great Tom Noonan. It's pleasing to the eye, if failing somewhat to satisfy elsewhere, and serves as a good enough thriller, that may have been great with a better script.

I found this story riveting. Well worth watching; of course I am a fan of him and his cutting edge rolls. You soon catch on something is wrong. I will not spoil it for you; but keep strict attention and be your own detective on what's not right.The actors are well fitted for the roles and I think proper attention was given to picking them for the roles. It was made in 1999 and they are all younger.I cannot say there was never a moment when you are not enthralled with the story as it unwinds.Being not only a Depp fan and also a buff on science fiction and horror flicks I picked this one to watch out of a dozen offered.Depp is a character actor in the purist sense. This means he learns and adapts to his role.Remember to add this flick to your bucket list to watch.