Outstanding Film on the Near Fatal Apollo 13 Mission

Rating: Null/10 (25 June 2000)

Ron Howard's "Apollo 13" is an innovative and interesting film that is dramatic in spite of the fact we already know what's going to happen. Somehow the suspense is kept up throughout and we can feel the tenseness and the fear of those in space and on the ground. Tom Hanks gives his usual outstanding performance and he adds to the performances of Kevin Bacon and Bill Paxton. Ed Harris (in an Oscar-nominated role) is the best though, his take-charge attitude and lack of control on the ground may be the most important part of making the movie work. Kathleen Quinlan also got an Oscar nod, but her role pales to that of the men at NASA. Ron Howard's direction is outstanding, some of the film was actually shot in zero gravity and the technical effects are terrific. The film is slightly flawed in a few areas, but "Apollo 13" is still a film well worth your time. 4.5 out of 5 stars.