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Original Message
First Man
Posted by Steve O on October 12, 2018 at 20:53:16:
First Man is an expansive and maybe even majestic look at the US manned space program from the perspective of Neil Armstrong. It acknowledges the entire program but spends most of the time on the Gemini and Apollo phases.
There's a lot of "human interest" development where we're introduced to Armstrong, his family and close associates as well as the space program itself. The developmental scenes are punctuated by relatively short but intense action scenes that help define the various phases of the space program as it progresses. Many of these scenes are shot in a way that places the audience in the middle of the action and the effect is pretty dramatic. I can't imagine viewing this on the small screen. As we know, everything leads to the first lunar landing where the story ends.
I found this film both nostalgic and inspiring. The period in which the story takes place was pretty accurately portrayed. Controversies were also acknowledged including some of the human costs, government budgets and public protests over spending. Its amazing what was accomplished within the manned space program considering the technical resources avail at the time. Technical progress was rapid and the film shows us that progress fairly accurately as the program moves from Gemini to Apollo. They even got the Quindar tones right and there's a clever nod to 2001 in one scene. Obviously, there was much attention to detail which warrants seeing First Man on the biggest screen you can find.
Overall, I liked this film and recommend it. It's a tribute to what man can achieve when there's a national unity of purpose. OTOH, some may find that the development scenes slow the pace to the point of distraction. This is probably one of those no-middle-ground films: you'll either love it or be totally indifferent. Interestingly, I attended a late afternoon IMAX showing and the place was empty: maybe 15 people in a 600 seat auditorium so word may already be out....not for millennials.