For Tom Hanks fans only

Rating: 2/10 (13 February 2003)

Technically well made film is atrocious in just about every other department. The script is hobbled by the sheer volume of clichés and since the outcome of the astronauts fate is already known to history, there isn't an ounce of suspense. Director Howard's bland direction deadens an already overlong movie, which tries to liven things up with a bombastic score and the casting of "stars" in the pivotal roles. It doesn't work. Tom Hanks addicts will probably want to see it, but this one is as bad as Howard's other thudding disappointment, Far and Away.
If you want to see a good movie on the U.S. space program, see Phil Kaufman's 1983 pic The Right Stuff. Avoid this one unless you need some snooze time and wasting nearly 2½ hours is your prime directive.