great film about an even greater story

Rating: 9/10 (21 February 2009)

In a time when we Americans are experiencing the burdens dumped in our laps due to corporate mismanagement, bank fraud, and universal nationwide greed it is refreshing to go back in time when we got it right. This movie is uplifting in a way that we all need to feel a little bit better about ourselves, and as as a country whose people know how to suck it up and get 'er done. Hanks, Bacon and Paxton are superb in their roles as Astronauts doing their jobs and systematically meeting the incredible challenge that confronts them head on. Ed Harris is no less perfectly cast as the stoic but steady hand at the helm to guide the efforts to bring the ship safely to shore. Ron Howard's direction, although heavy handed at times, stays the course by intertwining and humanizing the lives of all those involved in this historic event in US space exploration. The photography and special effects are, well, special. Not over the top or cartooninsh but as they should be...an enhancement to an already dramatic story. If you've seen this movie before, see it again, it really is quite good.