Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Review: October Sky

Director: Joe Johnston

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern

Year: 1999

Genre: Drama

Rated: PG

Length: 108 min.

IMDB Summary: The true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes.

Review:
Spirited and sentimental, October Sky is a fun and ultimately satisfying watch. Although there is some teen and family drama involved, the movie garners laughs with some of the "scientific" attempts to launch a rocket. The audience is just as much awed by the final scene as is Chris Cooper's character, the hard-nosed father who struggles throughout the film to accept his son as an emerging scientist rather than a coal miner. While the themes in the film aren't new--family, love, acceptance--the quality acting, scientific aspect and the real-life story behind the script make October Sky well worth your time.

For Parents:
Some language, brief alcohol use, some coal-mining accident-related violence

My Rating:
*****
Image from imdb.com

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