Review of Apollo 13 (1995) by Asif K — 22 Oct 2011

Synopsis:

Based off of real events of one of the worst NASA tragedy's. In 1971, NASA plans to send out people to the Moon for a lunar mission. They have chosen astronauts Jim Lovell, Frad Haise, and Jack Swigert. They have launched into outer space successfully, however, a slight fault from inside the space module caused an explosion that turned the exploration into a test for survival for the crew of Apollo 13. While Loveel, Haise, and Swigert try to survive in space. The workers at NASA (including Ken Mattingly) try to figure out a way to get the astronauts home safely.

Starring:

Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris , Kathleen Quinlan , David Andrews , Xander Berkeley , Geoffrey Blake , Frank Cavestani , J.J. Chaback , Christian Clemenson , Brett Cullen , Joseph Culp , Loren Dean , Julie Donatt , John Dullaghan , Wayne Duvall , Christopher John Fields , Googy Gress , Max Grodénchik , Ryan Holihan , Clint Howard , Jean Speegle Howard , Rance Howard , Miko Hughes , Herbert Jefferson Jr. , Andrew Lipschultz , Michelle Little , Todd Louiso , Paul Mantee , Louisa Marie , Brian Markinson , Ben Marley , Karen Martin , John M. Mathews , Marc McClure , Ray McKinnon , Andy Milder , Austin O'Brien , Tracy Reiner , James Ritz , Reed Rudy , Arthur Senzy , John Short , Max Elliott Slade , Joe Spano , Ned Vaughn , John Wheeler , Mark Wheeler , Kenneth White , Tom Wood , Roger Corman , Chris Ellis , Todd Hallowell , Steve Ruge , Larry B. Williams , Jack Conley , Carl Gabriel Yorke , Ben Bode , Mary Kate Schellhardt , Thom Barry , Emily Ann Lloyd , Bruce Wright.

Directed By:

Ron Howard.

Awards:

Nominated for 9 Oscars, Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Actor in a Supporting Role Ed Harris, Actress in Supporting Role Kathleen Quinlan , Original Score, Visual Effects, Sound, Film Editing and Art Direction. and it just won 2 Oscars for Film Editing and Sound. it also won some Golden Globes, BAFTAS, Directors and Actors guild.

Review:

You know this movie is pretty much Flawless. and that says alot since it is what we call a Disaster movie and every disaster movie as far as I remember was bad or average. I was really excited to see this movie because I heard very much about it and yes I am a Tom Hanks fan so that is why. I caught it on TV a few weeks back and just had one of the best times I ever had watching a movie. this movie is a brilliant experience, yes an Experience for sure. this is that Victory after a defeat type of movie that makes you feel truly uplifting and inspiring when it ends and you cheer and clap and gives it a standing, screaming or jumping ovation.

But it just wasn't a entertaining, thrilling or Popcorn movie but it was so much more than that. it has to be one of my all time favorite movies. a truly wonder film making and as I said, absolutely flawless. I specially loved the mindblowing visual effects and sound. the background score, the wonderful score will keep you so much indulgent in the movie. I know the story itself has the power but it gets doubled with the truly uplifting and magnificent score. also the superb Visual effects were truly awsome and breathtaking. the space, weightlessness and inside the shuttle scenes were really outstandingly done. Two big thumbs up just for that. I mean seriously it is like you are transformed into this entire different world. I may not remember right now but no movie based on real life Space travel have ever gave me that feel, I never felt like this. this movie defines America or NASA. though it was a sad turn or sad time for them because as you know the are not being able to perform the mission after the accident takes place and in the end when they show individual characters, what they are doing right now, that scene just makes your eyes get all teared up because you feel for them, you realize what actually this meant to them and their families the town the whole nation and perhaps the whole world at that time. I mean keeping your foots on Moon.

You know this is a perfect movie when there is a powerful story, told with absolute brilliant technical detail, superb performances and everything else done well. this movie shows from the start the two missions that were done before, one was the first Apollo-1 which met with a horrible accident killing those astronauts and the other and the most remarkable one, Apollo-11 where Mr Armstrong lands on Moon while they are watching it on TV. Jim Lovell played by Tom Hanks himself had been on a mission but that was just to orbit Moon and he wants to go back this time, to land on Moon. it happens as the are being send through Apollo-13 not 14. Ken Mattingly can't go because of some disease instead of him, Jack Swigert goes along with Fred Haise. Marilyn, wife of Jim isn't quite sure about all this, she sees nightmare and after all that, her wedding ring falls into the shower drain. the shuttle is launched and everyone, families, friends, town people and the nation are hopeful ti see the back soon. as part of the routine check up, Swigert switches something that has something to do with the Oxygen tank I guess but one of them explodes with a leakage. the are now trapped, aborts the mission, they have to find a way to come back home, technical and health difficulties and above everything else, a dream.

I personally think that the standout performance was from Ed Harris as Gene Kranz. he was truly spectacular in his dialogue delivery and his emotions. this was a performance where you could understand completely, like 100% what was going on in the character's mind. his face was speaking everything he or the character were feeling. n excellent performance. also Tom Hanks was good, he fitted in this role very easily as usual. Katheleen Quinlan gave a good performance too. everyone was nice in this movie also even Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton and Gary Sinse.

Excellent written story and plot with a superb screenplay. one of the best Editing I have ever seen in a movie like this. no wonder it was Oscar nominated. it looks superb and has emotions powerful enough to make you cry in fear, excitement and everything else. a powerful and excellently made drama by Ron Howard. one of the best movies of Ron Howard making him truly Ron Howard. a must see.