Dom Robinson reviews

Distributed by
Pioneer LDCE

• Cat.no: PLFEC 34081
• Cert: PG
• Running time: 134 minutes
• Sides: 3 (CLV)
• Year: 1995
• Pressing: 1996
• Chapters: 57 (16/24/17)
• Sound: Dolby Surround
• Widescreen: 2.35:1 (Super-35)
• Price: £34.99

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  Director:

  Ron Howard (Backdraft, Far And Away, Cocoon)

  Producer:

  Brian Grazer

  Screenplay:

  William Broyles, Jr. (Based on the book "Lost Moon" by Jim Lovell)

  Music:

  James Horner

  Cast:

  Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks (Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Sleepless In Seattle)
  Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon (A Few Good Men, JFK, Tremors)
  Fred Haise: Bill Paxton (Twister, Aliens, Predator 2)
  Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinise (Forrest Gump, Of Mice and Men (1992))
  Gene Kranz: Ed Harris (The Rock, The Abyss, The Firm)
  Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan (The Doors)
  Mary Haise: Tracy Reiner (A League of Their Own)
  Whiz Kid: Austin O'Brien (Last Action Hero, Lawnmower Man)
  Congressman: Roger Corman

Based on a true story, less than a year after the first time man walked on the moon, Apollo 13 was considered as simply another routine mission until Lovell spoke the famous words, "Houston, we have a problem".

Lovell, Haise, and Mattingly are the three astronauts chosen to go up in the ship until April 9th 1970, 2 days before the launch, when Mattingly gets the measles and has to pull out, much to the annoyance of the other two. As a member of the backup team, Swigert takes his place.

On the 13th day, disaster strikes and oxygen begins pouring out of the tanks, and desperate measures are taken in an at tempt to solve things. Top-notch acting comes from all the big names, although Kathleen Quinlan doesn't seem to do much apart from look forlorn as she waits for the return of her husband.

The picture quality is very crisp and clear, coping admirably with the full range of colours on display, and allowing Ron Howard's vision to fill the screen without a hitch, particularly the special FX which are nothing short of superb.

The surround sound excels in every department from James Horner's score, through to general ambience, right down to the rocket launch powerful enough to knock you off your seat.

Songs from the 60's and 70's form the background music back home, such as The Rascals' "Groovin", Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" and Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit In The Sky".

Review copyright © Dominic Robinson, 1996.