An exciting time

Rating: 7/10 (27 February 2008)

Boys own adventure about the ill fated "Apollo 13" mission which was to follow the successful journey that saw Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the surface of the moon.
Ron Howard deftly recreates the tension, ambition, hope and disappointment which accompanied the crew who dreamed of writing yet another page in 'space race' history. Ronnie helms with a purpose, never allowing any sidelines or subplots to undermine the story which he skilfully builds to not one, but several nail biting climaxes. Many of us know the story, yet writers John Sayles, William Broyles Jnr. and Al Reinart still manage to entertain us with an involving screenplay which recreates the excitement of the time.
All the technical teams have masterfully brought to life the NASA Space Centre at Cape Kennedy, along with the amazing hardware that goes with it. The take-off sequence is especially well produced thanks to some stunning special effects and clever cinematography (Dean Cundey - who wields with effect throughout the pic).
Tom Hanks convincingly personifies the ambitious dreamer Jim Lovell, sharing with us his trials and his triumphs. In support of him is Bill Paxton (in perhaps his biggest role to date), finally playing a character who is not paranoid, and doing so very well. Kevin Bacon also joins the crew, playing a late replacement for the devastated Gary Sinise, who is ousted due to concerns he may contract the measles. Back at Cape Kennedy, an impressive Ed Harris calls the shots in an Academy nominated role, keeping his feet firmly on the ground, unlike his turn in "The Right Stuff".
James Horner provides a familiar sounding theme.
Friday, October 27, 1995 - Waverley Pinewood Cinema