Cast: Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, Kathleen Quinlan, Miko Hughes, Chris Ellis, Xander Berkeley, Clint Howard, Ray McKinnon, Christian Clemenson, Brett Cullen, Roger Corman

Written By: William Broyles Jr Al Reinert based on the book Lost moon by Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger

Directed By: Ron Howard

Original Score By: James Horner

Notable Producers: Brian Grazer

Studio: Universal

release Year: 1995

runtime: 140 minutes

Audio Description Produced By: Deluxe

Written By:

Narrated By: Ron Snow

What Is it?: the true story of thee astronauts who were headed to the moon, when a mechanical failure changed their fates, and put their lives in danger. They weren’t the first to go to the Moon, and America didn’t start paying attention until they had a problem.

what Works: In my opinion, this is Ron Howard’s best film. Like with so many directors, it isn’t the film he won the Oscar for, but at least he was nominated. Apollo 13 was thought of by Universal as a summer tentpole, but Howard exceeded expectations and turned in one of the finest cinematic experiences of 1995. It wasn’t just a big summer blockbuster that put heroism and courage center stage, but it was actually a film that audiences and critics agreed on. Sometimes, seemingly even more now, we have Oscar nominees that didn’t do much at the box office, but Apollo 13 fired on all cylinders.

It also makes a great case for the ensemble award at the Oscars, because while I wouldn’t have nominated any actor individually, the commitment across the dept of the bench here is exceptional. Everyone works, and I don’t think there’s an immediate case that Hanks rises above all. It was his third consecutive nomination, but the film is less reliant on his singular performance, and rather the entire cast. Hanks could have easily missed out this year, and history would have been fine with it. he’s missed out on other nominations for stronger work later in his career, for films that leaned on him.

For a movie as long as this is, it never feels like it drags, which is likely part of how it won the Oscar for editing. Plus, all the different shots of the ship, inner and exterior, and their view of earth. Splice that with the chaos at NASA trying to get them home, nd a lot is happening at all times. Quinlan is excellent too, and this rewatch made me realize I haven’t seen her in a while. She was big in the 90’s, with memorable turns in this, as well as Breakdown, A civil Action, Event Horizon, and later The Hills Have Eyes remake. But looking at her resume, it has been mostly television. She’s set to appear in Horizon: An American Saga part II if that releases, which likely would be the first thing I’ve seen her in for at least ten years. She does a nice job here essentially pulling the duty of the wife. They don’t really expand all of the families and loved ones at a greater depth, and mainly lean on Lovell’s family. so, she has to convey what not just her person felt, but also be representational of any astronaut’s wife.

The score is gorgeous. James Horner could write a score. it’s a shame he passed, and rather young for a composer. comparatively, John Williams is 93, so you can run your legacy at least that long.

while this is my first viewing as a blind person needing audio description, I do remember watching this in theatres, and getting a VHS of it before eventually getting a DVD. I wouldn’t quite call it a film I’d take to a desert island, but it is a film I admire the hell out of, and think the craftsmanship is bar none. Time decides which films leave their legacy, and so far, time has looked kindly upon Apollo 13, which is a good sign that it left a mark on its audience. I credit that to a perfect storm of talent, working to make sure a hero’s journey was adapted faithfully.

What Doesn’t Work: I’m not sure it is so much about finding what doesn’t work, as it is when you get so close to the top, there’s almost a feeling behind decisions. what do I feel when watching, or what do I get out of it? While I think Apollo 13 is definitely slotted right where it needs to be at the Oscars, I didn’t need it to win. i also didn’t need Braveheart to win. It’s when you start getting down to the very top, the residue you’re left with is the only thing you can use. There’s a reason this isn’t a desert island film, or a comfort film. I’m not fully sure I’ve figured out what that is. I have loved films that are longer, darker, bleaker, so it can’t be any of those things. Yet somehow, I think this was maybe my 5th or 6th viewing in 30 years. I’ve seen Arrival about the same amount of times, and that film isn’t even ten years old yet. Arrival is a desert island film. Some films attach, other films are deeply respected.

The Audio Description: I love and miss ron Snow. I’m sure we could tweak this track a bit and maybe squeeze out a little more description, but you forget how dialogue driven this film is. There were several times the description abandoned us, but it couldn’t interject, because Howard was shooting a somewhat frenetic walk and talk at NASA while they try to fix the problem. Meanwhile, the stuff in space, was really cool and well done, because there’s less dialogue, and more time allowing us to see these actors barely surviving in zero gravity.

you Might Like it If: you like films. I honestly don’t know why anyone wouldn’t like this.I can agree you might not love it, but like it? it is a very broad, accessible, well made film.

Why you Might not Like it: you only watch films of a genre, and this is not a western, nor is it a horror film, or a comedy. So if you don’t do anything outside your genre, I suppose that’s the reason.

Final Thoughts: Apollo 13 was born a classic, riding on the story of a mission that did not go as planned, yet the bravery, intelligence, and heroism of those involved helped to secure the safe return of the crew. In his finest directorial work, Ron Howard embraces everything that the astronauts of Apollo 13 aspired to be, and ended up as. Unforgettable.

Fresh: 9/10