Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Tom Hanks, Ed Harris and Kevin Bacon
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved appreciation of Ed Harris. Following his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Harris has made strong movies. Whether it’s astronauts facing danger, powerful painters or television inventors, Harris has portrayed several compelling characters. Arguably, Harris’ finest strength as an actor is his commitment. He’s one of those rare actors that has always poured his heart and soul into every role. Harris has always had an aptitude for stealing the show in movies with supporting roles. Even if he has limited screen time, Harris has often left a strong impression. Through his commitment to portraying characters that are compelling, Harris has created a legacy that’s lasting. Through his sheer commitment, Harris has become a renowned icon in entertainment. An actor with a strong legacy which is lasting, Harris has crafted characters that are always compelling. An actor in a league of his own, he has often made movies which are well-known. Throughout his career, Harris has made many unforgettable movies that are definitely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Harris and adore all the films that he has produced in his career. However, “Apollo 13” is my favourite. Since its release in 1995, Ed Harris’ movie has become an iconic classic. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest space movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a strong performance from Ed Harris, who embodies a committed technician seeking to ensure a space mission goes smoothly. Ultimately, what makes “Apollo 13” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most space movies targeted toward a specific audience, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It delivers a bold message about determination which would definitely resonate with everyone. A riveting space masterpiece, there are many strong reasons why “Apollo 13”is a movie that’s definitely without any doubts worth seeing.
Set during the 1970’s, “Apollo 13” tells the true story of technicians that pulled off the Apollo 13 mission. Tom Hanks portrays Jim Lovell, a committed astronaut that has a lifelong love for space travel. Jim’s dreams come true when he’s given the opportunity to embark upon the Apollo 13 space mission. Assisted by his close companions Fred (Bill Paxton) and Jack (Kevin Bacon), Jim embarks upon a dangerous space mission. Jim is excited by the prospect of being able to land upon the moon in space. However, what starts out as a relatively peaceful mission soon becomes a nightmare when Jim faced a technical problem causing disaster. Trapped in the outer reaches of space, Jim has started to give up all hope. Just when all hope appears to be lost, Jim is given assistance from technician Gene Kranz (Ed Harris). Gene is a technician that gives Jim and her crew valuable advice on how to survive an intense situation. Trapped in space, Jim begins to question his lifelong love for a profession that he had once in the past used to embrace.
Ron Howard is a newcomer towards stories of astronauts. Before he directed “Apollo 13.”, the director had never made a movie about space travel in his career. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture big barriers experienced by astronauts in space travel but he succeeded. Through captivating cinematography, Howard captures a team of astronauts embarking on a space journey. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes which is as gorgeous as the space missions astronauts organize. Howard successfully uses handheld camera to capture tensions faced by astronauts stuck in space in an intense situation. For instance, handheld camerawork elevates the “Houston We Have a Problem” scene. During this memorable scene, Jim and his crew face technical issues being stuck in space causing disaster. Through this ingenious technique, Howard captures tense hardships astronauts in space missions went through. Handheld camerawork isn’t an easy technique to use in films. As Joseph Kosinski’s “Top Gun: Maverick” demonstrated, handheld camerawork elevates commemorated aviation films. However, it works extremely in this film. Using stunning visuals, Howard captures excruciating obstacles astronauts in space are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Apollo 13” that’s worth praising is the production-design. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Howard successfully uses diegetic sounds to capture the tensions experienced by astronauts in space. For instance, the diegetic sounds elevate the mission launch sequence. During this unforgettable scene, Jim engages in the launch of his space mission which is a source of media attention. One acknowledges diegetic sounds capturing the hardships which astronauts go through. Whether it’s sounds of engines exploding or missiles firing, diegetic sounds capture the launch of a famous space mission. Diegetic sounds are tricky techniques to use in films. As Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” demonstrated, diegetic sounds elevate WWII movies. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. James Horner’s music is essential towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that astronauts in space bear. Through phenomenal production-design, Howard captures lives of astronauts which shine.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Apollo 13” is a captivating classic about space that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the bonds between astronauts that are trapped in space. Howard’s screenwriting strength is his ability to capture strong bonds between astronauts that are stuck in space using silence. For instance, silence elevates the space scene. During this unforgettable scene, Jim films a video showing his joyful experience in space seeking survival. Using stunning sequences of silence, Howard captures the strong bonds among astronauts seeking survival. Silence is a tricky technique to use in space movies. Most movies which are set in space are always driven by loud sounds rather than silence. As Stanley Kubrick’s “2001 A Space Odyssey” claimed, scenes of silence enhance old-fashioned space movies. Martin Scorsese’s “Raging Bull” demonstrated silence elevates classic boxing movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an engaging screenplay, Howard captures lives of astronauts in space facing a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Ed Harris gives one of his best performances as Gene Kranz. Harris achieved appreciations for playing prestigious painters in biographies. With “Apollo 13”, however, he took on his most emotional role. It isn’t easy to portray a real-life technician that ensured the success of a space mission, but Harris succeeded. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in his career: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Harris has always had an aptitude for playing characters that have strong positions of power, and “Apollo 13” showcased his strengths as an actor. With mesmerizing expressions, he conveys angst, desperation and intelligence of a commemorated technician seeking to ensure the success of a renowned space mission. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most commemorated actors in the industry today.
Tom Hanks is terrific as an astronaut which becomes stuck in space on a mission that’s tragic. Hanks has always had an aptitude for playing ordinary people which are thrust into extraordinary situations, and “Apollo 13” is a stunning showcase for his talents. Whether he’s panicking when there’s a technical issue in space or attempting to explain how space travel works to his wife, Hanks uses powerful body language to create an astronaut that’s compelling. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing conflicted characters in tense situations. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest actors working today.
The supporting cast is sensational and worthy of recognition. Kevin Bacon is superb, bringing determination to an astronaut that’s driven to accomplish his space mission under tensions. Bill Paxton is phenomenal, capturing charisma of an astronaut which strives to fulfill a space mission which tests his will. Finally, Kathleen Quinlan merits appreciation. As a concerned housewife, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Apollo 13” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing tensions astronauts endured years ago. Unlike most movies about space travel, it tackles commemorated themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses powerful themes including identity, determination and survival which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of movies about space missions to appreciate it. For a movie made in the 1990’s, it has aged beautifully with commemorated themes that will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Apollo 13” is one of those rare commemorated space movies everyone will adore.
Fans of Ed Harris will definitely appreciate “Apollo 13” and so will movie-goers seeing exhilarating entertainment. A captivating space survival classic, it honours an actor which bas built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 60 years following the Apollo 13 space mission in which astronauts faced technical issues which were terrifying impacting abilities to achieve a successful moon landing, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following through his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling in captivating movies which are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 