Nathan Hale

The entire story could have been told solely from the astronaut's point of view, condensed to 45 minutes, and you would have missed nothing. Clooney's character does not add to nor does he change the outcome of the plot. (Yes, he does provide some data for a slingshot maneuver, which the brainiacs on the ship could have come up with on their own.) This would have made a fine episode of the Outer Limits, but its too little substance to spread over 2 hours. "On the Beach" (1959) with Gregory Peck is briefly featured in a clip the Captain is watching. It is a better use of your time and available on youtube.