Review

Though comparisons to The Right Stuff are inevitable, director Howard's epic is an impressive, suspenseful telling of the near-disastrous 1970 attempted lunar landing. While lacking The Right Stuff's determined style and hard edge, Apollo 13 is nevertheless a well-crafted story of heroism in the face of insurmountable odds. History tells us of the flight of Apollo 13, whose mission to the moon was thwarted by a tank explosion and whose uncertain return home kept Americans spellbound for nearly a week. What Howard has created in his fascinating, straightforward adventure film -- aided by excellent effects and a knowing mood of the times -- is a hypnotic tale which follows almost to the letter the actual events. The cast is almost secondary to the action, but led by Hanks (as Jim Lovell), the entire ensemble lends credibility and conviction to their roles.