Dom Robinson reviews
Apollo 13
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
Director:
(Backdraft, Far And Away, Cocoon )
Producer:
Screenplay:
William Broyles, Jr. (Based on the book "Lost Moon" by Jim Lovell )
Music:
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.
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