Hi, I work for a large mobile telecomms company. I live in Oxford but was born in Toronto, Canada. ...
Hi, I work for a large mobile telecomms company. I live in Oxford but was born in Toronto, Canada. Engaged to a lovely guy from Birmingham (see Sonatine on Ciao [love you babes xx]). Love playing guitar & midi keyboards when I can afford it. Have 2 ca...
Member since:03.01.2001
Reviews:86
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An excellent space movie based on the true events of the aborted Apollo 13 mission to the Moon back in 70/71. Of course for those of us who are old enough to remember the moon missions we already know the ending. However, Ron Howard does an excellent job 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 changes and kept faith with the whole traumatic tale.
Never being a keen fan of smug Tom Hanks (Jim Lovell) I was really surprised & delighted with his performance here. In real life Hanks takes a close interest with the Apollo missions and so in the movie he really plays his character with a great deal of enthusiasm & intelligence.
He is also ably supported by one of Kevin Bacon's best performances and particularly from Bill Paxton.
The only troublesome acting comes from Kathleen Quinlann (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 liked 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 didn't get in the way of the unfolding & engrossing story.
Possibly Howard's best movie to date and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to check on their space history.
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Great review (and bonus points fot the title!). Agree with your point about Kathleen Quinlan being given a thankless task, but Hanks, Harris and co were excellent.
clanmac4 05.01.2001 09:54
A very good opinion, it does the film justice, Thanks :)
NASA's worst nightmare turned into one of the space agency's most heroic moments in 1970, ... more
when theApollo 13crew was forced to hobble home in a disabled capsule after an explosion seriously damaged the moon-bound spacecraft. Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon and B...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
It had been less than a year since man first walked on the moon, but as far as the ... more
American public were concerned, Apollo 13 was just another 'routine' space flight - until these word pierced the immense voice of space: 'Houston, we have a problem'. St...
Advantages: Ron Howard has done his homework to bring us a realistic film showing the true events of this sad Apollo mission. Disadvantages: I cannot see any. This film contains great actors acting at their best!
carolinesite 17.02.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Apollo 13 (DVD)
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