Apollo 13, originally
released in 1995, nominated for nine Oscars, and quite possibly the
best film ever made about the NASA space program (along with The
Right Stuff), is now being released in this excellent two disc
anniversary edition.
The film is
universally acclaimed and the story is well known. The film
chronicles in meticulous fashion the fateful journey of astronauts Jim
Lovell (Tom Hanks), Fred Haise (Bill Paxton) and Jack Swigert (Kevin
Bacon) aboard the Apollo 13 where a massive mechanical failure
crippled their spacecraft and put their lives in utmost danger.
Lovell was a seasoned astronaut who had gone on many space missions,
but his dream was to walk on the moon (which he never got to do).
Haise and Swigert had never been into space before, so this was all
new to them. The Apollo 13 flight was the first flight to the moon
after Neil Armstrong’s famous walk on the moon. Since the goal of the
NASA space program (in the public’s eye) was to beat Russia to the
moon and had succeeded to do that, this flight was viewed by the
public as very routine and unworthy of press. But once the crew was
put in such jeopardy, the flight became anything but routine. It
became a media circus.
The film juxtaposes
between three separate locations and character settings: the
spacecraft itself with the three endangered astronauts, mission
control at NASA where the efforts and ingenuity of countless
individuals helped these three men overcome impossible odds, and at
the home of Marilyn Lovell (Kathleen Quinlan), worrying about her
husband’s safe return. As much as the three astronauts are viewed as
heroes, the men of mission control in NASA are also put in this
light. It was their innovation and creativity that saved the three
astronauts. Led by flight director Gene Kranz (Ed Harris), these guys
are put to the test and are forced to come up with creative solutions
quickly to problems they have never faced before. Swigert was a last
minute replacement for Ken Mattingly (Gary Sinise) who, due to measles
concerns, was dropped from the mission at the last minute. And it is
Mattingly who helps uncover the most critical of answers to help get
the spacecraft home.
This new
Anniversary edition includes an enhanced widescreen version of the
film, the IMAX version of the film, and a multitude of extras (some
new and all of the extras from the first release of the film on DVD).
Apollo 13 was the first non-IMAX movie to be released in an
IMAX version. The IMAX version of the film is about a half hour
shorter and is visually enhanced.
CRITIQUE
What truly astounds
me about this film is how intense, suspenseful and emotional it is
when the story revolves around three very bland heroes mostly relaying
and taking orders, a room full of straight-lined pencil pushers
looking mostly at charts and graphs, an over abundance of technical
jargon, and an ending everyone knows already. This, plus the fact
that the space program and walking on the moon are definitely not my
cup of tea, it is just amazing how much the film grabbed me. I was
riveted by this story all over again.
I have to give most
of the credit to Ron Howard for putting this film together in such a
meticulous and passionate way. Everything from the placement of
microphones in mission control to the way an astronaut would react to
his first flight is thought out and detailed out to perfection. You
learn through the extras how dead on Howard had everything and how
much research went into this film. You can’t help but feel admiration
as you watch the film for the dedication Howard gave to it. The film
is beautifully shot and Howard was able to piece together real space
shots (zero gravity shots, some of the launch sequence) with special
effects and simple camera tricks (the extras show how the actors are
bouncing around pretending to be in zero gravity for many shots) just
perfectly. He also managed to successfully build tension and suspense
even when he was going back and forth so often from three distinct
settings. In many films, this can be a hindrance on tension and an
utter annoyance.
The script is full
of technical jargon and NASA politics and yet the story is utterly
compelling. Screenwriters William Broyles Jr. and Al Reinert (along
with Howard) wrote an absolutely terrific script that did not cut any
corners, took dramatic license only where it was aptly needed, and
captured the essence of a time where the space program really mattered
and when astronauts were heroes. The only part they may have
considered cutting out was the actual real life instances where
Marilyn Lovell lost her ring in the shower the day of her husband’s
launch and her dream of the ship crashing. Both scenes felt contrived
and tonally off from the rest of the film. The intense and
overbearing attention to every last detail when it came to both the
script and the direction made Apollo 13 all the better because
it really sunk the viewer into this lifestyle. Not taking the easy
way out and dumbing it down for the public pushed the film into
greatness.
The script may be
great and the direction is spot on, but all would be lost if it
weren’t for the captivating, intense, and graceful performances from
this all-star cast. Tom Hanks gives one of his most understated,
graceful and poignant performances that I would consider better than
some of his more over-the-top roles. He grounds the film in cool
poise; his character keeps not only his crewmates at ease but also the
audience. Kevin Bacon is great in the film as the brass Swigert
trying his best to impress his crewmates and he is able to command the
screen even opposite Hanks. Bill Paxton would seem to be the odd man
out here, but he actually does a terrific job next to two of our best
living actors. He holds his own and gets some of the bigger laughs of
the picture. The two truly shining performances actually came from
Earth in this one, mission control to be exact. Ed Harris gives one
of his most memorable and intensely honorable performances as the hard
driving, no nonsense Kranz. His character is a God like figure
watching over it all and stepping in only when necessary. The other
magnificent performance is from Gary Sinise who brings a smoldering
intensity to what could have been an insignificant and unmemorable
role. Both Harris and Sinise deliver Oscar worthy supporting
performances. Kathleen Quinlan is also quite good as Marilyn Lovell
embodying “home”, as Lovell’s loving and supporting wife who is
worried sick about her husband’s return.
THE VIDEO
The transfer on the
10th Anniversary disc is exceptionally good. Disc one has the film in
2:35:1 widescreen dimensions and disc 2 has the IMAX version in
1:66:1. The IMAX version has more footage than previously seen by
extending the dimensions and it looks great, but the widescreen
transfer on disc 1 is just exceptional. The images are so clean and
crisp and the colors are so vibrant and life-like, the transfer is one
of the best I’ve seen on DVD.
THE AUDIO
The Dolby Digital
5.1 Surround Sound sounds fantastic, the dialogue is at the front as
it should be and the surround is spare since this is a human drama.
The rocket blasts and other effects sound realistic and booming but
they never impinge on the dialogue. The score sounds terrific in the
mix and soars when it needs to.
THE EXTRAS
Commentaries –
There are two different commentaries on the first disc, which were the
two commentaries on the original DVD release. The first commentary is
from director Ron Howard and it is a very interesting and informative
commentary from the man who brought not only his passion for the story
but also an intense attention to every detail. Howard has many
behind-the-scenes stories and insights into his cast and story. The
second commentary is from Jim and Marilyn Lovell. This is a very
interesting and unique commentary in that they are reflecting on this
time in their own lives as captured on film and portrayed by such
brilliant actors. The most interesting parts are where they are
comparing what truly happened to what is in the film (there are
differences, some very small and some very big). There are also some
very touching moments where Marilyn breaks down in tears recalling
this turbulent time in her life. Two great, interesting commentary
tracks.
Lost Moon: The
Triumph of Apollo 13 – This is a making of featurette that was also included in
the original DVD release which is one of the best making of
featurettes I’ve seen. It takes you through the film from its script
development, to the casting, to the training the cast underwent, to
the actual filming, all the way through completion and release of the
film. There are interviews with the cast and crew, producers, Howard,
and the real life astronauts. It mixes in actual footage and
newsreels of the astronauts, mission control, and the fateful
journey. The best sections are the ones showing the actors training
for the film like experiencing zero gravity for the first time. One
thing you really get to see is the level of dedication and his desire
for authenticity that Hanks brings to the film. He truly gave his all
for this picture. This is a great making of featurette that leaves
nothing out and focuses on the most interesting areas of filmmaking.
Apollo 13:
The IMAX Experience Version – This is the IMAX version of the film as mentioned earlier that cuts
close to a half an hour of the film as IMAX films had required running
times. The film looks terrific and you get the benefit of added
footage to every shot (since the frame has a different dimension you
get more of each shot). But the half hour that was cut out makes this
a far less involving and effective film; I definitely prefer the
original cut. Character development and back-story are sacrificed
which is never the way to go.
Conquering Space:
The Moon and Beyond – This is a documentary that looks at the history of the space program
up through 2003 with interviews and footage from various people and
events that shaped the space program. Since I have almost zero
interest in the space program, this documentary was quite a bore for
me. And this seemed like a promo piece for NASA anyway, painting
everything in such a heroic, perfect light that it’s oft putting as
well. This was just not my cup of tea.
Lucky 13: The
Astronauts’ Story – This was a Dateline: NBC feature that aired around the
original release of the film that delves into the Apollo 13 actual
event with footage and interviews from the real people involved. This
is a nice extra for those who don’t know the story, as it is brief and
informative.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The cast of
Apollo13 is so first rate and pitch perfect that it makes it
almost impossible to dislike the film. Because even if the space
program and traveling to the moon don’t interest you much (like me),
the tense and suspenseful story supported by Howard’s expert direction
along with this amazing cast will keep you riveted.
