Season 13 marks the the seventh manned mission in the Apollo space program and the third intended to land on the Moon. Astronauts Lovell, Haise and Swigert were scheduled to fly Apollo 14, but are moved up to 13.
Tom Hanks perfectly embodies white bread goodness as mission leader Jim Lovell and, while we may all know the ending, it's a tribute to Howard's no-frills, focused direction that the story remains undeniably gripping.
The special effects are as spectacular as anything in Star Trek, but Howard shows wise restraint in not inflating the drama and tension inherent in the true story.
Ron Howard's pop-entertainment you-are-there space thriller is easily the most rousing film of the year. And it might make real spaceflight just as nifty as Star Wars for youngsters.
