I like space race movies a lot, so I wasn't sure First Man would be able to surprise me. And for the most part, that is to say when it comes to story beats related to the Mercury and Apollo missions, it didn't. But where most movies (and TV, as I count the superlative From the Earth to the Moon) are rather procedural, Damien Chazelle's take is much more intimate (perhaps to the point where I missed some of the proceduralism). The camera is out of cinéma vérité (shaky and unfortunately blurry at times), favoring tight close-ups over model shots, taking us into the cramped spacecraft with the astronauts. The story likewise sticks close to Neil Armstrong and his family life, and even chooses that aspect over NASA's professional achievements. But it's cleverly done. Instead of showing us a scene where Armstrong - this man of few words nonetheless responsible for speaking some of the most famous words in history - argues with other astronauts as to what should be said to the world upon landing on the Moon, we have one where he doesn't know what to say to his kids before he leaves. And even once we're on that stark, alien landscape, the achievement is turned into the most deeply personal of moments. Armstrong in the film has an emptiness that's akin to the Moon's, but not one that needs be filled, only confronted and tamed. We chose to go to the Moon and do the other things, but those "other things" may differ from person to person. The film's answer is rather more beautiful than I expected.
I don't know.... technically the movie works really well, but the majority of characters are fairly bland (with Aldrin being the standout exception). The fact that Chazelle devotes some much needed attention to the otherwise overlooked wives and children of these space pioneers is commendable, but still the movie wasn't as riveting as I'd hoped for.
The first man to walk on the moon is definitely a subject that could use a good screen adaptation. This movie does a fairly good job of it, and seems to present a well-balanced view of Neil Armstrong. Ultimately though, it feels like something is missing, and it doesn't grab you as much as it probably should.
I would've forgotten which country had achieved this milestone in space exploration if whatever that guy was called hadn't said "One small step for an American, one giant leap for The United States of America and no other country, fuck you guys"
Really feel bad for Michael Collins though. Not only was he an Irish national hero, he was also in SPACE and they only ever referred to him as Mike, never his full name.
Apart from some impressive visuals, notably the opening scene, this was quite disappointing.
A subpar performance by a stonefaced Gosling who fails to breathe life into such an iconic figure. Apart from the fact that Armstrong is upset and motivated when those closest to him die, he lacked any real characterisation.
It's not bad, but it felt very long and incredibly dull
I got the impression that there was too much stuff for them to document to cover in a single film. They seemed to skip over a lot of large parts. Also, the title kind of suggests this is Neil Armstrong's story, but it's really NASA's story of how they landed a man on the moon. If this was supposed to be the story of the guy that happened to be that man, they made no attempt to make him interesting.
I also don't know why they tried to hype up the drama by suggesting something might go wrong on the mission since we all know the mission went completely to plan.
The stuff about NASA and why beating the Russians to the moon was so important to them was good though. The effects during the landing scene were amazing.
Overall I did like it, but they'd have been better off calling the film "Apollo 11" or something like that.
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 12 of 12
Siskoid
I like space race movies a lot, so I wasn't sure First Man would be able to surprise me. And for the most part, that is to say when it comes to story beats related to the Mercury and Apollo missions, it didn't. But where most movies (and TV, as I count the superlative From the Earth to the Moon) are rather procedural, Damien Chazelle's take is much more intimate (perhaps to the point where I missed some of the proceduralism). The camera is out of cinéma vérité (shaky and unfortunately blurry at times), favoring tight close-ups over model shots, taking us into the cramped spacecraft with the astronauts. The story likewise sticks close to Neil Armstrong and his family life, and even chooses that aspect over NASA's professional achievements. But it's cleverly done. Instead of showing us a scene where Armstrong - this man of few words nonetheless responsible for speaking some of the most famous words in history - argues with other astronauts as to what should be said to the world upon landing on the Moon, we have one where he doesn't know what to say to his kids before he leaves. And even once we're on that stark, alien landscape, the achievement is turned into the most deeply personal of moments. Armstrong in the film has an emptiness that's akin to the Moon's, but not one that needs be filled, only confronted and tamed. We chose to go to the Moon and do the other things, but those "other things" may differ from person to person. The film's answer is rather more beautiful than I expected.Gunness
I don't know.... technically the movie works really well, but the majority of characters are fairly bland (with Aldrin being the standout exception). The fact that Chazelle devotes some much needed attention to the otherwise overlooked wives and children of these space pioneers is commendable, but still the movie wasn't as riveting as I'd hoped for.Norf
This should be seen big and loud. Phenominal sound design. Good score, especially when theyI did like it, but I kept thinking of The Right Stuff which I think is a lot better.
Earring72
Engrossing real life drama. Well made and exciting!!!Panunzio
The first man to walk on the moon is definitely a subject that could use a good screen adaptation. This movie does a fairly good job of it, and seems to present a well-balanced view of Neil Armstrong. Ultimately though, it feels like something is missing, and it doesn't grab you as much as it probably should.Nuked
No American flags/10I would've forgotten which country had achieved this milestone in space exploration if whatever that guy was called hadn't said "One small step for an American, one giant leap for The United States of America and no other country, fuck you guys"
Really feel bad for Michael Collins though. Not only was he an Irish national hero, he was also in SPACE and they only ever referred to him as Mike, never his full name.
MrDoog
Apart from some impressive visuals, notably the opening scene, this was quite disappointing.A subpar performance by a stonefaced Gosling who fails to breathe life into such an iconic figure. Apart from the fact that Armstrong is upset and motivated when those closest to him die, he lacked any real characterisation.
It's not bad, but it felt very long and incredibly dull
252
Chazelle-Spielberg make the most collectively shared event in human history into an individualist story.kakarlsen
Pretty meh. Not bad, just meh.chunkylefunga
Ok but will be forgotten within a year's time.Ronet
Did Buzz Aldrin get his nickname for being a buzzkill?Great supporting cast, Gosling does his usual quiet performance, but it works. The film itself should've ended right before they stepped out IMHO.
buc86
I got the impression that there was too much stuff for them to document to cover in a single film. They seemed to skip over a lot of large parts. Also, the title kind of suggests this is Neil Armstrong's story, but it's really NASA's story of how they landed a man on the moon. If this was supposed to be the story of the guy that happened to be that man, they made no attempt to make him interesting.I also don't know why they tried to hype up the drama by suggesting something might go wrong on the mission since we all know the mission went completely to plan.
The stuff about NASA and why beating the Russians to the moon was so important to them was good though. The effects during the landing scene were amazing.
Overall I did like it, but they'd have been better off calling the film "Apollo 11" or something like that.