Director: Clint Eastwood
Writer: Ken Kaufman, Howard Klausner (Screenplay)
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, James Garner, James Cromwell, Marcia Gay Harden, William Devane, Loren Dean, Courtney B Vance
Plot: When a satellite is failing NASA has one last option, Bob Gerson (Cromwell) has to bite the bullet and call upon old engineer Frank Corvin (Eastwood). Frank’s one condition is that he takes his own team who never got a chance to go to space with him, his team includes Hawk (Lee Jones), Jerry (Sutherland) and Tank (Garner). What follows is the training mission that has plenty of laughs before their chance of their lifetimes.
Verdict: A wonderful tale of not giving up on your dreams
Story: We get a wonderfully told story giving us the potential to learn not to give up on dreams. It also has a very good message about not letting old battles with friends stop you ever making up with each other, along with making sure you do it before it is too late. With all the drama side to the story there is also a very serious story about how close we were to a world war three with the mission into space having a bigger impact on life. (9/10)
Actor Review: Clint Eastwood – Frank stubborn leader of a team of the very first astronaut trainees who finally gets his chance half a century later. From what you expect from Eastwood a solid performance that lets his support cast steal scenes. (8/10)
Actor Review: Tommy Lee Jones – Hawk the one who took more risks in his life before making the ultimate sacrifice to save his friends. Strong performance from Tommy as he keeps a lighter side to Eastwood’s more serious side. Star Performance Award (9/10)
Actor Review: Donald Sutherland – Jerry the lady’s man who also hasn’t got the eye sight he once had, good on running gag about getting older and glasses. Good performance that shows he knows how to make the most of his screen time. Favourite Character Award, Comic Relief Award, Scene Stealer Award (8/10)
Actor Review: James Garner – Tank now a reverend who returns to help on the mission. Garner has great chemistry with Sutherland with great supporting roles that offer good comic relief. Comic Relief Award (8/10)
Actor Review: James Cromwell – Bob Gerson against having the elder team after he has been trying to avoid them entering space since the original training program. Good corporate character who wants to make sure he gets all the praise and everyone else gets the blame. (8/10)
Actor Review: Marcia Gay Harden – Sara the one who helps recruit the astronauts. Good support role and offers romantic interests to Hawk. (8/10)
Director Review: Clint Eastwood – Eastwood has always been great when it comes to having what seems like a good happy drama and throwing in an emotional storyline twist. (9/10)
Action: Not too much action but the final scene action is very good. (7/10)
Adventure: The adventure the guys go on is a great story of achievement. (8/10)
Believability: The whole mission side of the film is believable. (7/10)
Chances of Tears: Could have a few from people. (5/10)
Settings: The training mission setting is good for story and the space mission itself becomes a great setting and only setting for the film. (9/10)
Suggestion: I personally will watch any Eastwood directed film he knows how to tell a great story and this is no different, some people may find this a bit slow but it is worth watching for the enjoyment. (Watch)
Best Part: Space mission.
Action Scene Of The Film: The landing
Funniest Scene: some of the training.
Oscar Chances: Nominated for one.
Chances of Sequel: No
Overall: Brilliant adventure drama
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