View Full Version : First Man (Review)
If you thought Hollywood incapable of making a beautiful movie, First Man would prove us all wrong. First Man is a beautiful movie from its first scene to its last. It's The Right Stuff meets 2001 A Space Odyssey. First Man is a biographical drama focused on Neil A. Armstrong, staring Ryan Gosling (as Armstrong), directed by Damien Chazelle, who should have walked away with a Best Director Oscar and Best Supporting Actress for Claire Foy. This is movie making as it was meant to be, and what reminds us, so rarely, of what top shelf movie making, from acting, to sets, to effects, to music, to casting, etc can look like when people really care. While the tech and the journey to get to the moon is a central theme, the movie humanizes those men and their families in a way no movie has before it, not The Right Stuff, nor Apollo Thirteen. A very rare A+
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSoRx87OO6k
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I told everyone I knew to go see it as well
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I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I told everyone I knew to go see it as well
One of the best movies I have seen in many moons, it also proves great movies can still be made when you get the right people together. How it didn't sweep the Oscars I don't know, but that's another topic.
Sorry, I didn't really like this one. I found it to be excruciatingly boring.
How it didn't sweep the Oscars I don't know, but that's another topic.
Most probably ‘wishful thinking’ on my part, but I like to believe it is because they did NOT include a scene of the US Flag being raised on the moon is what derailed Academy voters, of whom some %age, at their core, are still proud of America and its achievements on this scale.
Off-topic too ... but it is also the last 5-minutes of the movie Black Klansman that I believe is what caused it to fail at the Oscars too. Amazing knowing that it really happened. I know for myself, before those last 5-minutes I would’ve rated the movie a solid A, but because of those 5-minutes ... I won’t even comment. And although it preceded his Presidency by a good 20-30 years, there are many thinky veiled references to ‘the Donald’ in it. Those didn’t ruin that movie for me, as I knew what the intent of the wording was, insofar as how it applied to the scenes. But how they phrased it or commented on D. Duke et al, was purely politics of today’s left-wing socialism and fascism outlook.
Most probably ‘wishful thinking’ on my part, but I like to believe it is because they did NOT include a scene of the US Flag being raised on the moon is what derailed Academy voters, of whom some %age, at their core, are still proud of America and its achievements.
Forgot about that. According to the director had nothing to do with that, but who knows:
“To address the question of whether this was a political statement, the answer is no,” Chazelle said in a statement on Aug. 31. “I wanted the primary focus in that scene to be on Neil’s solitary moments on the moon — his point of view as he first exited the LEM, his time spent at Little West Crater, the memories that may have crossed his mind during his lunar EVA.”
Singer told Variety on Monday that the film also chose to focus on Armstrong’s character and showcase other sides to the American icon.
“By focusing on that loss and sacrifice and failure, it humanizes this person who we think of as an idol and helps us really understand that this wasn’t easy, this wasn’t superheros that did it,” Singer added.
Sorry, I didn't really like this one. I found it to be excruciatingly boring.
It could have gone another hour and I would have been happy. I think that movie was as close to perfect as it could be if the goal was to show the real sacrifices made by those men and their families, and what they gave to us and what was accomplished.
I'll take that over mindless action, explosions, CGI galore, and no plot, character development, etc of modern movies any day. Perhaps you take for granted, or don't fully appreciate the risks taken and what a colossal achievement that was.
When he put that first boot into that moon soil, and uttered those words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" a chill ran right up my spine.
I more or less thought the whole Apollo/moon landing thing had been covered
I was wrong.
Out of curiosity, what was a favorite of yours in the last few years?
I think it was expectations, really. I went to see a movie about the space program and rocket launches, but it was mostly about Neil's struggles with the stress of his assignment and the loss of his daughter. So given my going in expectation, I found the actuality to be boring. Maybe if I watch it a second time, I'd like it better.
I don't watch a lot of movies anymore, honestly. I enjoyed Green Book quite a lot, though. In fact I paid to see it twice.
I think it was expectations, really. I went to see a movie about the space program and rocket launches, but it was mostly about Neil's struggles with the stress of his assignment and the loss of his daughter. So given my going in expectation, I found the actuality to be boring. Maybe if I watch it a second time, I'd like it better.
I don't watch a lot of movies anymore, honestly. I enjoyed Green Book quite a lot, though. In fact I paid to see it twice.
I didn't really have expectations for First Man, and assumed the topic had been covered by The Right Stuff. If you have not seen that one, it's more in line with what you may have been wanting for a cool romp about the space program. Green Book on my list once it's for rent.
I'm pretty sure I haven't seen The Right Stuff. I'll definitely check it out!
I'm pretty sure I haven't seen The Right Stuff. I'll definitely check it out!
It's a classic. They just didn't have the uber high quality CGI we have today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElzIPn1pXWE
Solid 'C'. I loved the opening scene, I loved how they treated Apollo 1, but otherwise it it showed Neil Armstrong as a moody, sullen, cranky guy. Several people have come out and said that it did not accurately portray how he really was. Also, it took some historical liberties to make the story a little better like when he threw his daughter's bracelet in the crater.
I love The Right Stuff, Apollo 13, From the Earth to the Moon.... This one just didn't do it for me.
Solid 'C'. I loved the opening scene, I loved how they treated Apollo 1, but otherwise it it showed Neil Armstrong as a moody, sullen, cranky guy. Several people have come out and said that it did not accurately portray how he really was. Also, it took some historical liberties to make the story a little better like when he threw his daughter's bracelet in the crater.
I love The Right Stuff, Apollo 13, From the Earth to the Moon.... This one just didn't do it for me.
The character was based on a book from someone who knew and interviewed Armstrong and wife wife for decades apparently. No idea if that was an accurate portrayal of him or not, but at least not pulled from thin air for entertainment value, but I of course I don't know the truth there. The bracelet thing was a tad over the top, but again, Armstrong kept that one close to the vest, and various people who knew him said it was a strong possibility, but unknown so big "maybe." I enjoyed this article on that one:
https://screencrush.com/did-neil-armstrong-really-leave-his-daughters-bracelet-on-the-moon/
The character was based on a book from someone who knew and interviewed Armstrong and wife wife for decades apparently. No idea if that was an accurate portrayal of him or not, but at least not pulled from thin air for entertainment value, but I of course I don't know the truth there. The bracelet thing was a tad over the top, but again, Armstrong kept that one close to the vest, and various people who knew him said it was a strong possibility, but unknown so big "maybe." I enjoyed this article on that one:
https://screencrush.com/did-neil-armstrong-really-leave-his-daughters-bracelet-on-the-moon/
Yeah, I know. Interesting that there were so many perceptions. John Logsdon wrote a piece for www.space.com, he worked with the Apollo program, and knew Armstrong after the Apollo program, said that the movie portrayed him as overly somber and mercurial. It may have been that the actor was trying to be thoughtful and quiet and reserved, but came across has mercurial and troubled.
Armstrong did not throw the bracelet into the crater, but he did name a crater for his daughter which was equally respectful and cool.
I like the movie for its special effects and it's scenes and how it treated the Apollo program. I thought the opening sequence was pure genius.
My 2 drachmas. People watch these movies and see different things.
NO chazelle or whatever his name is says the mission transcends countries and is not about the USA and about mankind
and he did it on purpose !
keep supporting these people's pockets then wonder the left keeps gaining ground ? hahahahahahha
sundance435
03-07-19, 14:50
If you thought Hollywood incapable of making a beautiful movie, First Man would prove us all wrong. First Man is a beautiful movie from its first scene to its last. It's The Right Stuff meets 2001 A Space Odyssey. First Man is a biographical drama focused on Neil A. Armstrong, staring Ryan Gosling (as Armstrong), directed by Damien Chazelle, who should have walked away with a Best Director Oscar and Best Supporting Actress for Claire Foy. This is movie making as it was meant to be, and what reminds us, so rarely, of what top shelf movie making, from acting, to sets, to effects, to music, to casting, etc can look like when people really care. While the tech and the journey to get to the moon is a central theme, the movie humanizes those men and their families in a way no movie has before it, not The Right Stuff, nor Apollo Thirteen. A very rare A+
Couldn't agree more, Will. After seeing it, I thought the whole flag controversy was unwarranted. This story was about a steely-eyed missile man, and others like him, not a "wave the flag" story. This is easily one of the best movies of 2018 that I saw.
I won't pay money to see it because of the American flag thing and the reason it is not in the movie. F U hollyweird and your anti-American BS, putting men on the moon was not a world or mankind achievement it was American exceptionalism at it's best. I watched the flag planting live on TV, I remember to this day how it felt to be a proud American, middle of the cold war, middle of the Viet Nam war and promise kept to an assassinated President, the last good Democrat one we had. And some worthless actor/director types decide to cut it from the movie. I can't do much to hurt those assholes but I don't have to give them my money.
LowSpeed_HighDrag
03-07-19, 15:51
Most probably ‘wishful thinking’ on my part, but I like to believe it is because they did NOT include a scene of the US Flag being raised on the moon is what derailed Academy voters, of whom some %age, at their core, are still proud of America and its achievements on this scale.
Off-topic too ... but it is also the last 5-minutes of the movie Black Klansman that I believe is what caused it to fail at the Oscars too. Amazing knowing that it really happened. I know for myself, before those last 5-minutes I would’ve rated the movie a solid A, but because of those 5-minutes ... I won’t even comment. And although it preceded his Presidency by a good 20-30 years, there are many thinky veiled references to ‘the Donald’ in it. Those didn’t ruin that movie for me, as I knew what the intent of the wording was, insofar as how it applied to the scenes. But how they phrased it or commented on D. Duke et al, was purely politics of today’s left-wing socialism and fascism outlook.
Are you...are you...serious? The Academy is filled with closet conservatives who down vote movies for being too.....liberal? Really?
I'd give it a "B". Well done. As an airline pilot and NASA history buff (grew up in Houston) it seems like they did a fair job of portraying Neil. Word is he was quiet and introverted, but one of the smartest pilots and engineers around. I liked the opening scene in the X15, the look on my wifes face when she asked me what was happening and I replied that he was skipping off the atmosphere... She said "figures you'd know that" went to the other room and watched a chick flick... Too slow for her.
Imho, they should have spent more time talking on Neils earlier exploits. The man is a true pilots pilot. He'd seen a lot BEFORE signing on to Apollo. I also they'd have given more time to Mike and Buzz. Here's a good short read on what Neil had done to qualify him to get to the point where he was. The guy was shot down in Korea and later on survived a catastrophic engine failure in a bomber that most other people might have crashed. https://www.businessinsider.com/neil-armstrongs-most-daring-moments-2012-8
Not as good as The Right Stuff, but good. A little slow at times but good. If you have not seen the right stuff, it's dated but a must see if you're into this kind of stuff.
Yeah, I know. Interesting that there were so many perceptions. John Logsdon wrote a piece for www.space.com, he worked with the Apollo program, and knew Armstrong after the Apollo program, said that the movie portrayed him as overly somber and mercurial. It may have been that the actor was trying to be thoughtful and quiet and reserved, but came across has mercurial and troubled.
Armstrong did not throw the bracelet into the crater, but he did name a crater for his daughter which was equally respectful and cool.
I like the movie for its special effects and it's scenes and how it treated the Apollo program. I thought the opening sequence was pure genius.
My 2 drachmas. People watch these movies and see different things.
I hear ya. No doubt, it's impossible to really peg a human being and everyone will see them/remember them differently. He did seem a bit somber, but I thought the reasons and such was well done.
Couldn't agree more, Will. After seeing it, I thought the whole flag controversy was unwarranted. This story was about a steely-eyed missile man, and others like him, not a "wave the flag" story. This is easily one of the best movies of 2018 that I saw.
Agreed! Maybe one of the best movies in recent history.
I won't pay money to see it because of the American flag thing and the reason it is not in the movie. F U hollyweird and your anti-American BS, putting men on the moon was not a world or mankind achievement it was American exceptionalism at it's best. I watched the flag planting live on TV, I remember to this day how it felt to be a proud American, middle of the cold war, middle of the Viet Nam war and promise kept to an assassinated President, the last good Democrat one we had. And some worthless actor/director types decide to cut it from the movie. I can't do much to hurt those assholes but I don't have to give them my money.
There was no thing. It was invented controversy for click bait and faux outrage.
I'd give it a "B". Well done. As an airline pilot and NASA history buff (grew up in Houston) it seems like they did a fair job of portraying Neil. Word is he was quiet and introverted, but one of the smartest pilots and engineers around. I liked the opening scene in the X15, the look on my wifes face when she asked me what was happening and I replied that he was skipping off the atmosphere... She said "figures you'd know that" went to the other room and watched a chick flick... Too slow for her.
Imho, they should have spent more time talking on Neils earlier exploits. The man is a true pilots pilot. He'd seen a lot BEFORE signing on to Apollo. I also they'd have given more time to Mike and Buzz. Here's a good short read on what Neil had done to qualify him to get to the point where he was. The guy was shot down in Korea and later on survived a catastrophic engine failure in a bomber that most other people might have crashed. https://www.businessinsider.com/neil-armstrongs-most-daring-moments-2012-8
Not as good as The Right Stuff, but good. A little slow at times but good. If you have not seen the right stuff, it's dated but a must see if you're into this kind of stuff.
I think they at least tried to give that impression, but the movie was already 2:20 long. I mean, there's obviously a reason even among "the right stuff" he ended up commanding that Apollo mission. Like say Blade Runner or 2001 one, slow parts just made the not slow parts that much better. The pacing and visuals are just spot on.
I’ve met Buzz Aldrin a couple of times. From what I could tell they had his personality dialed in.
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I’ve met Buzz Aldrin a couple of times. From what I could tell they had his personality dialed in.
Good to know!
I liked it a lot. My only gripe when I saw it in the theater was it relied a bit too much on the close-up shaky camera thing and made me just a bit seasick. Makes total sense showing the barely controlled chaos of a rocket launch; not so much depicting mundane conversations.
The American flag controversy was ***ahem*** fake news. The flag was all over the movie and America’s achievement was in no way minimized.
sundance435
03-08-19, 09:55
The character was based on a book from someone who knew and interviewed Armstrong and wife wife for decades apparently. No idea if that was an accurate portrayal of him or not, but at least not pulled from thin air for entertainment value, but I of course I don't know the truth there. The bracelet thing was a tad over the top, but again, Armstrong kept that one close to the vest, and various people who knew him said it was a strong possibility, but unknown so big "maybe." I enjoyed this article on that one:
https://screencrush.com/did-neil-armstrong-really-leave-his-daughters-bracelet-on-the-moon/
The book it's based on is the only biography Armstrong-himself authorized. The author probably knew him as well as anyone but his family. His family (who were involved with the film) have even said the film portrayal was pretty accurate, though they felt Neil had more of a sense of humor and wasn't quite as detached all of the time, but overall pretty accurate. The family, BTW, thought the flag controversy was BS.
Yea the flag thing was much about nothing.
The movie was well infused with American exceptionalism
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The book it's based on is the only biography Armstrong-himself authorized. The author probably knew him as well as anyone but his family. His family (who were involved with the film) have even said the film portrayal was pretty accurate, though they felt Neil had more of a sense of humor and wasn't quite as detached all of the time, but overall pretty accurate. The family, BTW, thought the flag controversy was BS.
It makes me curious about the disparity of other people who knew him who thought the movie did not do a good job with that regard. The only way I can reconcile it is thinking that what my kids and my wife sees in me is different than what my friends see in me which is different than what my co-workers see in me.
I do wish they would make another miniseries like From the Earth to the Moon, that was so good I would love to see it again, I think another one focusing on different aspects of the astronauts' lives and missions could be a good companion piece.
Totally agree about the flag "controversy".
I actually watched Hidden Figures and loved it. Everybody needs some black chicks tucked away in the event of an emergency.
Seriously.
If I ever become dictator for life of the American Empire; there will be a collective of church going black girls in my inner circle to ensure my continued victory as well as boost my morale.
Yea the flag thing was much about nothing.
The movie was well infused with American exceptionalism
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If I were in charge of a Renegade Version of First Man they would have the flag planting with Rammsteins Amerika blasting deafeningly loud in THX
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