In a plot that can be described as a space-themed "Legally Blonde", Emma Roberts gives life to the character Rex. Rex, a Floridian, enjoys beach parties, alligator wrestling and bartending, while occasionally daydreaming about the NASA rocket launches she used to watch with her mothetr. When she graduated high school, she received a full scholarship but decided stay back upon her mother's cancer diagnosis. She chose to support her father and thus, ten years passed in the blink of an eye. At her college reunion, she begins to ponder about her forgotten aspiration - space travel.
Despite lacking the formal education or experience required for the space program, she decides to approach NASA. Her friend Nadine, played by Poppy Liu, helps her with the application and in the process embellishes Rex's resume, unbeknownst to her. Upon acceptance, Rex is surprised to find out that NASA thinks she is a pilot with a PhD. She realizes the misunderstanding but decides to stay put, as she survived tougher rounds and saw many certified candidates get eliminated.
While the narrative has predictable elements, it still provides a pleasurable experience, amplified by the lively performance by Roberts. The protagonist, Rex, with her outlandish appearance and exaggerated attire, emerges as a charismatic heroine - creative, devoted, and a team player. She's surrounded by a host of peculiar characters, from quirky astronaut candidates to a nerdy supervisor (played by Tom Hopper) with a classy British accent. Add a little intrigue when Rex's deceit is found out, and you have an unexpectedly charming story.
The storyline injects moments of humor and carries eccentric details. Rex, portrayed as a problem-solver, has the knack for extricating herself from complicated situations, be it mechanical or human. Even though the resolutions may not be astrophysically accurate, they enhance her grounded and resourceful personality. Rex's mechanical skills and her generosity combined lay out an engaging, offbeat journey into space.
