Director Roland Emmerich has made several end-of-the-world type flicks, including Independence Day (1996), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), and 2012 (2009). Moonfall may be his best yet.

Emmerich’s first two end-of-the-world films have a similar science and mission as Moonfall, and both of those were well received. But Moonfall has blockbuster potential and is a fascinating look at yet another possible cataclysmic ending for the world.

Moonfall introduces us to NASA executive and former astronaut Jo Fowler, played by Halle Berry, another former astronaut, Brian Harper, played by Patrick Wilson, and conspiracy theorist KC Houseman, played by John Bradley. These three brilliant people discover that some force has shifted the moon from its natural orbit, causing natural calamities on Earth and posing an immediate threat to our survival. The three of them put their heads together to figure out what to do, and they end up on a daring, if not impossible, space mission to fix the problem.

Moonfall is yet another thrilling and daring rollercoaster ride from director Emmerich. Despite the dire topic, I found the film to be a lot of fun. It was visually stunning and there were actually, surprisingly, quite a few laughs. Some of the science behind the premise was slightly over-the-top, but that didn’t interfere with the enjoyment. Seeing it in IMAX, as I did, definitely adds to the fun. For fans of disaster films, Moonfall is one they’ll enjoy. Three stars for Moonfall.