A definite feel-good movie.
Apollo 13 (1995)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:48
Fresh:46
Rotten:2
Average Rating:8/10
Runtime: 4 hrs 16 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: The true story of the near-disastrous Apollo 13 mission. On April 11, 1970, gung-ho astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and last-minute, less experienced replacement Jack Swigert blast-off towards... The true story of the near-disastrous Apollo 13 mission. On April 11, 1970, gung-ho astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and last-minute, less experienced replacement Jack Swigert blast-off towards the moon. But while in space, an oxygen tank explodes, putting the trio in peril: they quickly lose oxygen, run out of power, and get exposed to dangerously high amounts of carbon dioxide. Unbeknownst to them, there are more problems to come, including emotional friction when Jack is (wrongly) blamed for the explosion. Intensifying the situation is the fact that these mishaps catch the scientists and technicians at Mission Control by surprise, and they're not sure how to remedy the situation. Everyone must work together to come up with the right answer -- if the astronauts are to survive... [More]
Starring: Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise
Starring: Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, Kathleen Quinlan, Clint Howard, Chris Ellis
Director: Ron Howard
Director: Ron Howard
Screenwriter: William Broyles, Al Reinert
Producer: Brian Grazer
Composer: James Horner
Reviews for Apollo 13
For a 'space movie', both the special effects and photography are surprisingly pedestrian. Where it scores is in subtly restating traditional notions of male heroism.
A rousing, flag-waving paean to American skill and courage, Howard's polished film panders to its target audience perfectly.
I just wish that Apollo 13 worked better as a movie, and that Howard's threshold for corn, mush and twinkly sentiment weren't so darn wide.
The movie is terrific on nuts-and-bolts stuff, but nuts and bolts aren't the same as drama.
Truly a director for the '90s, Ron Howard has mastered the art of spinning big, old-fashioned yarns without any discernible point of view, and his movie is curiously empty and instantly forgettable.
Apollo 13 avoids becoming propaganda, or a masturbatory industrial film for NASA, by focusing on the story's human element.
If you don’t remember the gripping events of April 1970 before seeing this film, you likely will remember them for a long time afterward.
Apollo 13 is a blast for thrill-seekers and a joy for humanists who seek emotional truths in films.
Apollo 13 is a terribly exciting experience, but it could have been a terribly moving one as well.
Toward the end ... the pace picks up considerably at this point, and the film becomes the heroic adventure that was intended.
Apollo 13 remains Howard's masterpiece... It is, quite simply, one of the finest movies ever produced.
Just like the mission itself, APOLLO 13 leaves the impression of being both a success and a failure.
Latest News for Apollo 13
July 19, 2006:
Early Reactions to "World Trade Center"
Make a movie about 9/11 and you're bound to get people talking. Release two high-profile movies in the same year, and you're bound to get lots of comparisons. A handful of sites... More...
May 16, 2006:
Michael Bay Buys His Very Own FX Company
Michael Bay already owns his own production company (Platinum Dunes), so obviously he has to own his own FX house! This explains why the "Transformers" director and a... More...
June 16, 2005:
Stanford, Levine & Several Others Head for the "Hills"
The Hollywood Reporter brings us the full cast list for the upcoming remake of Wes Craven's "The Hills Have Eyes." Filming begins rather soon, and director Alexandre... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 86% 86% | A Christmas Tale |
| 60% 60% | Paper Heart |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

