First Man

Armstrong’s arrival on the moon has always been regarded as the greatest exploration achievement in human history. Hence, it is quite a shock to learn that First Man is the very first film about this important event. It is based on James R Hansen's 2005 bestseller, First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong. The movie revolves around three characters: the enigmatic and level-headed leader of the mission; a test pilot, and an engineer. They were destined to achieve a feat that no other humans have ever done before.

Ryan Gosling’s performance was very captivating and authentic, following his massive triumph of La La Land and Whiplash. The movie blends different aspects of cinematic history together: family tragedy, character study, and historical action dramas. The latter one (historical drama) is the most prominent.

The early Apollo test scenes are outstanding, while the lunar landing sequence is a beautiful set-piece that wonderfully represents the real-life, mission-critical situation that Armstrong was in. Fortunately, his incredible mental strength and flying abilities have assured its good outcome.

Release year: 2018

Director: Damien Chazelle

IMDB Score: 7.3/10