An emotional journey with a stunning direction.

Rating: 8/10 (24 January 2019)

First Man (4 out of 5 stars).
First Man delivers a spectacular journey through Neil Armstrong and the emotional journey that was driving him on heading to the moon. The direction really focused on Neil's perspective like when he was flying a rocket plane through the atmosphere. You did not see any other camera angle except the perspective on what he sees. Which is not much but from the cockpit windows. It did created a little claustrophobic and intense feeling. Ryan Gosling delivered an outstanding performance. Along with Claire Foy playing Janet, his wife. Damien Chazelle did deliver an emotional powerful direction.
The plot really dived into the emotional journey with Neil Armstrong, NASA test pilot. He was trying to be supportive to his sick daughter. Throughout the film, he was still trying to coop and grief for his daughter. He was always driven to be on the flight of Gemini 8. After a failed travel into space. NASA was in a hurry to reach the moon with the space race against the Russians. All leading up to Apollo 11 with Neil and two others reaching the moon.
The plot tried to keep itself into the emotional journey of Neil and dealing with family loss. The moment he walked on the moon and looking beyond the crater with tears running down his eyes. It was a powerful scene. It was not just about man first landing on the moon. It was the accomplishment and the struggle these characters did to get there.
Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy delivered a powerful performance. The direction from Damien Chazelle was great. He made some scenes feeling a little claustrophobic when Neil was in the cockpit. You would only see what he sees. You would not get the full view of space or of the planet but only a glimpse of the planet with shaky cameras to be realistic. Or dizzying space craft spins. The climatic scene with Apollo 11 landing on the moon. It was well shot. The music score Justin Hurwitz was fantastic. The scene of walking on the moon was beautifully done.
The film does have some long stretches of scenes with nothing going on or being slow moving. Otherwise, First Man is a good film. The visual effects and direction was great. The performances were good. And the plot delivered an emotional journey of Neil Armstrong.