Houston We Have a Problem

Apollo 13 is a remarkable tale of human determination, grit and courage when faced with great adversity. The movie based on true events which occurred on a space mission of the same name tells a story of an American quest to outclass the Russians when the nation was gripped by the paranoia of communism and Sputnik. The movie starts with a audio of president Nixon's address to the American people who have just been shaken by the Apollo 1 accident to congratulate the undying spirit exhibited by America to overcome the tragedy and land on the moon 18 months later. Apollo 13 was going to be a third manned mission to land on the moon. Most Americans were taking the mission for granted. But as is rightly pointed out by Jim Lovell in the movie – There is nothing routine about landing on the moon. Also just because a feat has been achieved earlier does not take away anything from the people who achieve it later. The screenplay by William Broyles Jr. and Al Reinert is excellent and some of the dialogues really inspire one to self actualize. The movie also portrays the fragility of human life. How our planet is all but a small speck in the universe and how a single event could destroy all life on earth. This sentiment is very aptly portrayed by Jim Lovell covering the view of entire earth with his thumb in the spacecraft. After a routine takeoff and docking-undocking at the ISS, an explosion in the service module sets into motion a domino effect of tragedies which tests human ingenuity to its limits. The film tries to give a very realistic depiction of the events that actually unfolded on the space craft while at the same time the direction and screenplay take the movie to unparalleled heights of bravado. Ron Howard the director has managed to catch the events that unfolded in the space mission control center splendidly. The spacecraft, the control center on earth have all been developed to give the audience the most realistic feel of the actual. The film is a true story fictionalized and dramatized at its very best which leaves the audience spellbound and wanting for more. Tom Hanks as always is at his usual best. The actor by shear talent is able to transform ordinary common people into heroes, then be his portrayal of Forrest in Forrest Gump or that of Paul, the prison in charge in The Green Mile. Bill Paxton and Kevin beacon too are at their very best in this movie playing the role of the astronauts to the hilt. The entire crew of the film has been able to transform this ‘Successful Failure’ event into a resounding success. A definite watch.