I mean, it aint't APOLLO 13, but it'll do

Rating: 8/10 (13 October 2018)

I still can't believe I'm saying this, but Damien Chazelle did it again.
That's not to say I'll not one day get tired of his central thesis laid on his filmography at this point. The idea that nobody should ever criticize anyone's ambitions no matter how much of a physical/emotional toll it takes on them borders way too close to masochism. And while WHIPLASH and LA LA LAND stands as genuine classics in their own right, there's a waning sense that Chazelle takes his goals too much to heart, wishing that he'd take a breather for once.
So it's a refreshing change to see him showcase the bare basics of film craft with FIRST MAN, utilizing impressive special effects and cool 60s style stock lens without calling attention to itself. It pays a lot of detail to many of the mechanics of astrophysics, down to every strategic conversations and to each linger on rocket windows and altitude dials. You almost feel like you're there in the cockpit with the legendary astronaut yourself, experiencing both awe and panic at the same time.
At first I felt trouble with the characterization of Neil Armstrong. A emotionless stoic trying to risk his life to land on the moon in order to cope with the loss of his daughter but then inflicts damage upon other people in the process. It doesn't really gel at first since that's not how grief works and it sounds like yet another self-deprecating parable by Chazelle but it wraps up in unexpected ways. Once he finally lands on the moon does he realize how finite and small life on Earth really is, how the glory of human achievement regains the pride of a nation, and how that same achievement needs to make us more fulfilled and humble as human beings. It's fairly faint but the wonderful visuals accompany it perfectly.
There are some issues unaddressed, however. It does get repetitive at times and, while I do like how it gives Janet Armstrong and her family an agency, the movie does little for them other than "make their scenes look like a Terrence Malick movie". I also wanted some more comraderie, especially with co-pilot Buzz Aldrin. That would've been cool.
Aside from that, color me unsurprisingly satisfied. Ryan Gosling, Jason Clarke, Clair Foy, Kyle Chandler, and Corey Stoll did an amazing job with their performances, the filmmaking is top notch, and the overall concept of watching the moon landing on the big screen alone is worth it itself.
Houston, we have a winner.