APOLLO 13
A film review by Chad Polenz
Copyright 1997 Chad Polenz
**** (out of 4 = excellent) 1995, PG, 140 minutes [2 hours, 20 minutes] [drama] starring: Tom Hanks (Jim Lovell), Bill Paxton (Fred Haise), Kevin Bacon (Jack Swigert), Gary Sinise (Ken Mattingly), written by William Broyles Jr., Al Reinert, produced by Brian Grazer, directed by Ron Howard.
"Apollo 13" seems more like an experiment in suspense rather than a movie, because it is so well crafted in every way that we care about everything that happens.This film is based on a true story, and although Hollywood has the tendency to exaggerate, this one stays realistic and believable the entire time. Tom Hanks stars as Captain Jim Lovell, one of the earliest astronauts, who is slated to command Apollo 14 in 1970, but is bumped up to 13 and to a more important mission. We meet Lovell's family and really get a sense this is a real man, not another movie character. The story revolves around the flight of Apollo 13 to the moon. It has only been a little over six months since man first walked on the moon, and this was considered a "routine" space flight, but as Lovell points out, "There's nothing routine about going to the moon." We see the crew training in simulators, sometimes failing and this really makes you wonder if they'll be able to handle it in the real situation. Lovell, along with his crewmates Fred Haise (Paxton), and Ken Mattingly (Sinise) make up the core team, while Jack Swigert (Bacon) leads a backup team. Two days before launch it is discovered that Mattingly is coming down with a case of the measles and will not be able to go into space so Swigert is assigned to take his place. The team must practice continually to prepare in such a small amount of time. We see them say goodbye to their families and this gives a good sense of humanism and realism. Everything seems to be running smoothly... at first. Down in Houston they tell the Apollo to do some routine procedures. All of a sudden, an explosion occurs in one of the oxygen tanks and the ship goes haywire. As if the film wasn't already a great drama it becomes a fantastic suspense story as we see the Houston ground controllers panic in a frenzy, trying to figure out what is going on and how to help them out. It is amazing to watch this, especially today as we have much more advanced technology than they did. In fact, this computer I'm typing this critique on might be smarter or more powerful than all the computers used on the Apollo! The movie really picks up the pace and runs with it at this point, every second is nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat storytelling. As one problem is solved, two more pop up. At times it seems like all hope is lost, but somehow they miraculously survive. Hanks delivers a pretty good performance, but I was even more amazed by Paxton and Bacon, who prove they can handle high pressure roles like these. Not too many movies could make me cry, but this film's ending could. The suspense is based in the unknown and no one knows if the crew will ultimately survive. We see short clips of Walter Cronkite reporting the events, showing the entire planet praying for them. Cronkite's voice alone can make anything seem emotional and sensational. "Apollo 13" is filled to capacity with emotion and sensation, you can't help but be caught up in the suspense and drama. The story of the Apollo 13 needed to be told, and this film did it justice. (12/31/95) (12/9/96) (5/23/97) [also by Howard: "The Paper," Ransom"]
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