First Man [4K UHD]

Absolutely phenomenal filmmaking combined with the tale of one of mankind's most epic achievements makes "First Man" one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. On a pure technical level alone, it is a remarkable effort. Superior production values including editing, production design, sound mixing & editing, music, and photo-realistic Oscar-winning visual effects combine to immerse us into the excitement and risks of 1960's space travel and propel this biopic to classic status. "First Man" features a stellar cast led by another very fine, understated performance from Ryan Gosling as the titular astronaut. Gosling gives us a Neil Armstrong who is always fascinating to watch, regardless of whether he's flying an experimental spacecraft or listening to a lecture. Claire Foy is equally compelling in what could have been a much more formulaic role such as Kathleen Quinlan in "Apollo 13". Similarly, the rest of the ensemble- especially Kyle Chandler, Jason Clarke, Corey Stoll, and Lukas Haas- effectively play their historical characters as "real people" and never seem to be acting like, well, actors. They disappear into their roles and do not show off in ways most lesser actors would. There are a surprisingly fair amount of detractors for this film, so I can't say as confidently as I should be able to that everyone and their mother's uncle needs to see it. The "flag/ patriotism controversy" was nothing short of moronic. I have seen critics from far-right and far-left perspectives tear this movie apart; hilariously and ironically, these two radical opposites seemed to work together in putting a dent in this film's performance, and may well have succeeded: while reviews were largely stellar for "First Man", it fell short of box office analysts' forecasts and was unable to recoup its relatively modest budget theatrically. This all echoes the odd fate of 1983's "The Right Stuff"; it too was a well-reviewed, Oscar-winning film about NASA's early days, and it too was ignored by audiences in its initial release. *How* you watch this is vital for your appreciation of it. I recommend not watching this on anything less than a 40" TV and Blu-Ray; I saw it on a 50" on 4K UHD and was blown away by many sequences. I can't imagine watching it on a laptop or on DVD. While the documentary-style naturally prohibits "First Man" from being a definitively beautiful-looking film, the added details from 4K including ample film grain in the non-IMAX footage immerse us even further into the experience. The film may take minor liberties with history (especially for Hollywood), yet due to strong performances, documentary-style filmmaking, and impeccable production values, "First Man" is a stunning achievement. Last but far from least, the score by Justin Hurwitz is one of the best original scores I have ever heard, and that's a lot of praise coming from a soundtrack aficionado; it is a sin this was not nominated by the Oscars in favor of far more unoriginal music.

I felt compelled to write about this fine movie after reading other disparaging reviews on Amazon. This is one of my favorite films of 2018. I say that as a huge fan of films like Apollo 13 and The Right Stuff. First Man is neither of those movies. This film takes a more focused and personal approach to the space program, telling the particular story of Neil Armstrong as a father, husband and astronaut. It is also brutally honest in the way it portrays the dangers and challenges of the Gemini and Apollo programs, and the many human sacrifices that were made. If you want to know what it really felt like to be a man hurtled into space during the 1960's, this is the movie for you! If you only want a glamorized version of the story that makes it all feel like magic, you might feel let down. The truth is that a miraculous human achievement like landing a man on the moon was a process fraught with peril and never in any way a sure thing. And many Americans questioned the wisdom of using the enormous financial resources that were required to get the job done, especially at a time when the country was literally being ripping apart in the wake of the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. I, for one, am glad we made it happen! But ultimately, First Man should only make you more proud to be an American, and particularly of NASW and all the astronauts involved in the space program. It is a testament to human ingenuity and determination. And if your beef is that you need to see some American flags in such a film, you will have ample opportunity in First Man. I think the politically charged reactions to the film are sadly a sign of the highly divisive times we find ourselves back in, some 50 years after the events of the movie. My guess is that if this film had been released even four or five years ago, most of the hubbub would not have occurred. At the core of First Man is a very simple idea--that all humans, even our greatest heroes, have a backstory. And that even our heroes, like Neil Armstrong, somehow carry that story with them; in this case all the way to the moon!!. It in no way diminishes Neil Armstrong as a man or as an American. It simply makes him more human. And in my opinion, it makes the journey all the more powerful. I would give the film my highest recommendation as a human drama about the American space program. Audio and video on the 4K disc are terrific, if not quite reference quality. Don't let political agendas keep you away.

"First Man" isn't just a movie; it's an emotional rollercoaster that leaves you breathless, heartbroken, and utterly mesmerized. Directed by the brilliant Damien Chazelle and starring the incomparable Ryan Gosling, this film tells the awe-inspiring story of Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon. From the very first scene, "First Man" grabs hold of your heartstrings and never lets go. Through its breathtaking visuals, haunting score, and gut-wrenching performances, it immerses you in the turbulent era of the space race, capturing the triumphs, the tragedies, and the indomitable human spirit that propelled mankind to the stars. At the heart of the film is Ryan Gosling's breathtaking portrayal of Neil Armstrong. With his trademark intensity and quiet strength, Gosling brings Armstrong to life in a way that is nothing short of mesmerizing. From his struggles with loss and grief to his unwavering determination to push the boundaries of human exploration, Gosling captures every nuance of Armstrong's complex character with grace and authenticity. But what truly sets "First Man" apart is its emotional depth. As we journey alongside Armstrong and his fellow astronauts, we are confronted with the harsh realities of their mission – the sacrifices, the dangers, and the profound toll it takes on their families. It's a raw and unflinching portrayal of the human cost of exploration, and it leaves a lump in your throat and tears in your eyes. In the end, "First Man" is more than just a tearjerker – it's a cinematic masterpiece that leaves an indelible mark on your soul. With its breathtaking visuals, haunting score, and powerhouse performances, it's a testament to the power of cinema to inspire, to uplift, and to remind us of the boundless potential of the human spirit. So grab your tissues, buckle up, and prepare to be swept away on a journey to the stars – because "First Man" is a cinematic experience like no other.

Neil and Janet Armstrong’s life together was poetic, tragic, and beautiful. Neil’s life reminds us of a classic Joseph Campbell Hero’s Journey, and one that deserves to be a myth of our time. This film does just that, paints a mythological narrative with artistic license and flair. You’ll be disappointed if you are simply seeking out a traditional 20th century Hollywood version of this 20th century historical figure. No, it’s a telling of the myth for the 21st century with the sensitivity and kindness it deserves in this new century by a director who wasn’t even born during the Space Race/Cold War. This is an emotional film and if your emotional maturity isn’t ready to deal with the topics of the pain of losing a child, friends dying, and the awareness of one’s own mortality than this might not be your film. The film’s cinematography, music, and sound design are gorgeous. Shot on film, the look throughout the movie is almost an art house film. It was nominated for 4 Academy Awards for the look and sound aspects of the film, which is no surprise. The acting though, is also top notch. This is the best I’ve seen Ryan Gosling, but Claire Foyle (from The Crown) steals the show. Her acting is amazing and was nominated for a BAFTA (British Academy Film Awards) for Best Supporting Actress. The 4K/Blu-Ray discs come with a series of short, but intriguing vignettes about the making of the film, the highlight being footage of the actors spending 3 days at NASA, where some of the scenes were shot. The real gem of the disc is the director commentary in which we get to hear the level of depth the filmmakers went to portray the life of the Armstrong family as accurately as possible ,and talk openly about when they deviated for narrative license. The filmmakers speak throughout the commentary about things they learned interviewing Janet and their sons (both sons star as extras in one of the Mission Control scenes.) This film is reviewed by critics on Rotten Tomato at 88% but I am going to bump it up a notch to 5 stars for the depth I personally got from watching the film multiple times and enjoying the extra content on the discs. Truly one of the best films I’ve seen in awhile.

This movie is about Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. The movie has elements and images that remind you of former movies about the space program such as The Right Stuff and Apollo 13. In spite of the occasional reminders of those movies, this one is significantly different. There is no real emotional connections to the space race or the successful moon landing. You see only small references to the Soviet space program and essentially no references to the massive public attention that was paid to the moon landing. Much of the movie focuses on Armstrong himself. Most of the emotional hooks relate to the death of his daughter and some of his friends in the space program. The movie starts out when Neil is a test pilot in the early 1960s and moves along fairly briskly, making jumps of years at a time. About the last hour or so is dedicated to the sequence of going to the moon. In the movie, Armstrong is portrayed as someone who was quite serious and a bit anti-social in some ways. Perhaps that's an accurate description of him, but it doesn't necessarily make for a terribly compelling movie to have him be so stoic. There is a fair amount of attention paid to his wife who only seems to smile about three times in the movie. The movie almost seems to portray the whole thing as a constant personal crisis laced with tension. Again, perhaps that's how things really were. It seems out of place though since most Americans associate the moon landing with pride and euphoria in the massive accomplishment. The movie is fairly well-done from a technical standpoint, and the acting isn't bad overall. I'm just not a huge fan of the subdued emotional tones and the focus on personal issues. Perhaps that's what the producer wanted to focus on, preferring a movie about the personal journey of Armstrong rather than something that showed what he and his trip meant to the public. If you want a rousing, emotional movie about the space program, you are probably better off with The Right Stuff or Apollo 13.

This is not a documentary. This is a poignant story of a father and daughter wrapped in a technically brilliant achievement. Unlike apparently most of the reviewers, I never met Neil Armstrong, nor do I try to act like I did know the man. I have heard his sons represent this portrayal as accurate. There is a more important story to tell. If you want a feel good documentary, try 'Apollo 11' from CNN Films or 'From the Earth to the Moon'. I firmly believe 'feel-good' was not the filmmakers intention. Neil Armstrong was a man, and he is portrayed as a man that loves his family and is kneecapped by the lack of confidence in his test pilot abilities and nearly crushed by the loss of his daughter. He is driven to succeed and when he can't save his daughter, the moon becomes his mission, in honor of his daughter. And the movie frames this perfectly. Armstrong's apparent coldness comes from a strong confidence and fierce will to achieve. Exactly the type of men we wanted to land on the moon, when nothing was certain, nothing was guaranteed. We sent these men on 7,891,000 lbf of thrust into the unknown. Armstrong struggled through several deaths of his colleagues, but carried on with the mission, and that is commendable. The vignette of him throwing Karen's bracelet into the crater only makes him seem more human. Truth or not, who cares? Karen was the mission. I can only believe Neil would have given up the moon landing and everything to have his daughter back. Think about that. I'm sure Neil did.

One of the best

Ignore the critics. This movie was excellently cast. Bravo to the acting in this film and the cinematography. I think the way it was shot gave me an appreciation for what they were up against. I think it portrayed Armstrong in a courageous way. They painted him as a human being who does the seemingly impossible against insurmountable odds. Strength doesn't require you to have it all figured out at once, but to keep going for a purpose bigger than yourself no matter how difficult is deeply moving. I don't know if the way they portrayed him personally is accurate or not, but it is a movie so folks should be smart enough to know that it's not a documentary. In interviews he seems reserved, but kind and reflective. The movie showcased this, how intelligent he was to pull off what he did, and that he cared for his fellow compatriots and family. How expressive he was or wasn't in his personal life is a question only those who knew him could answer. The movie portrayed him as more of an introvert, but there is nothing wrong with that as he was shown in a very dignified manner. I think if they had portrayed him as big extrovert it would've been hard to emotionally connected with the character. As a viewer the silent moments reminded me of the gravity of what was before him and made the portrayal more nuanced. Armstrong was as strong as his name because he never gave up and that's a positive message that keeps his achievements and legacy alive.