One of my favorite film genres is that of the documentary, because they are typically well thought out and informative as well. We've seen many down through the years: "Bowling for Columbine" '02, "Super Size Me" '04, "The Corporation" '04, "Murderball" '05, "Capitalism: A Love Story" '09, "Fed Up" '14, and the most recent "They Shall Not Grow Old" released earlier this year. There are many more, so when I noticed that "Apollo 11" was to be released, I had to see this and it was stunning!
A cinematic event 50 years in the making. This 50 year anniversary of Apollo 11 features never before seen large format archival footage of the mission to land on the moon from lift off to splash down involving the U.S.S Hornet all led by commander Neil Armstrong and pilots Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collins. This is a journey that should only be experienced on the big screen. Even if you saw it in 1969 when it took place, it was only on TV, so with this, the experience on the large screen certainly gives it that wow factor of which you soon will not forget.
It was painstakingly well delineated by documentarian director Todd Douglas Miller ("Gahanna Bill" (documentary) '01, "Scaring the Fish" '08, "Dinosaur 13" (documentary) '14). It is obvious that this filmmaker did his homework in culminating the material that he was able to obtain to present a riveting, awe-inspiring visual of man's first trip to the moon. Not only does he include the now famous statements "Houston, the Eagle has landed" and Neil Armstrong's moving "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind", but he includes all new footage, well, new to us, that he was able to obtain from the NASA archives to bring an even more stimulating documentary to us--the audience. He also edited the film with extreme precision. Most documentarians edit their own work so as to keep the fresh approach they were striving for. This filmmaker proves this concept in spades. When that rocket takes off in Florida, I had goose bumps seeing it on the large screen as opposed to the small screen otherwise known as the TV.
As with other historical events in our past, assuming you were alive and old enough to remember this event, I believe all can recall where they were and what they were doing at the time. I know I can remember. This was an awesome time in our country's history that will never be forgotten, and this is an amazing documentary chronicling this massive undertaking. This is a film all should see and learn from.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: G 93mins.
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