A Science Fiction film that is all Science Fact

Rating: 9/10 (5 July 2000)

An excellent space movie based on the true events of the aborted Apollo 13 mission to the Moon. Of course for those of us who are old to remember the moon missions we already know the ending. However, Ron Howard does an excellent of making this "remake" even more breathtaking & astounding than the real event!
There was always the risk of Hollywood taking "dramatic" liberties with this movie, but fortunately they resisted temptation for major chances and kept faith with the whole traumatic tale.
Never being a keen fan of Tom Hanks (Jim Lovell) I was really surprised & delighted with his performance here. In real life Hanks had taken a close interest with the Apollo story and so in the movie he really plays his character with great enthusiasm & intelligence.
He is also ably supported by one of Kevin Bacon's best performances and particularly from Bill Paxton.
The only troublesome acting came from Kathleen Quinlann, playing Lovell's wife. She isn't given much to do throughout the film other than to cry a bit and offer moral support to her family and friends. Quinlann is a very capable actress but I felt she wasn't given enough to do here other than play the helpless-woman role, which is a great pity.
However, top honours has to go to Ed Harris as the MC chief. I've always like under-rated Harris, especially in the earlier GlennGarry Glenn Ross movie. In both films he seems to excel as the man struggling to stay in control and walk the fine line. Although in this movie he goes that little bit further with an added intensity that gives a lot more human impact to the movie than perhaps Hanks offered, who's dialogue at times seemed to drone on in a robotic-like monotone.
Top marks to the special effects too, which unlike getting in the way of a good story, simply adds to the real-life drama.
Possibly Howard's best movie to date and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to check on their space history.
****/*****