Apollo 13 Blu-ray Review

The 20th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray release of "Apollo 13" showcases a dramatically enhanced 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation, meticulously remastered in 4K from the original 35mm elements. This edition removes the edge enhancement, digital manipulation, and slight smearing that marred the 2010 release. As compared to Universal’s previous 15th anniversary remaster, this iteration exudes a refreshing authenticity, free from artificial crispness and loss of fine detail, demonstrating Universal's new commitment to high-quality catalog remastering. The colors are beautifully saturated and striking, offering consistent contrast, deep black levels, dazzling primaries, and lifelike skin tones, well capturing Dean Cundey's superb cinematography.

The stunning visual clarity extends to finely detailed textures, giving this remaster an edge with its far more natural, filmic appearance devoid of unnecessary enhancements. This version provides a cleaner, more accurate rendering of the source material, maintaining the grain structure with respect while revealing the limitations of mid-90s CG by current standards. The video presentation is meticulously free from macroblocking, banding, aliasing, ringing, or noise. Without compromising any fidelity to the original imagery, it corrects age-revealing flaws like specks, grime, scratches, and runs present in the older edition. The result is a pristine and faithful transfer that fans of "Apollo 13" will undoubtedly appreciate.

In summation, the 20th Anniversary Edition is currently the definitive Blu-ray release for "Apollo 13," marrying a natural color palette with impeccable picture quality. While the leap to 4K or a native theatrical 4K presentation would undoubtedly enhance this experience further, this edition stands as a superior restoration that advances both visual fidelity and viewer satisfaction.

The audio presentation of "Apollo 13" on Blu Ray is exemplary, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. The sound mix initially focuses on dialogue-heavy sequences which are handled with sterling clarity and precise fidelity. When the film transitions to the space launch, the audio experience transforms dramatically: the surrounds come alive with dynamic foley effects that convey an immersive sense of being inside the spacecraft. The contrast between open-air speech and dialogue from within spacesuits is finely nuanced, providing an intimate aural texture. James Horner’s score complements this immersive soundstage, filling the surround channels with expansive and iconic musical themes.

Despite the subdued nature of the early scenes, this audio mix excels in maintaining clear and concise dialogue through the center channel. The rocket launch sequence is a highlight, delivering booming LFE that reverberates through the subwoofer with tremendous depth and richness. Surround effects and panning are smooth and enhance the sense of spatial realism, particularly as clinks and clanks reverberate throughout the rear channels during the astronauts' journey. The audio remains technically proficient throughout, capturing both the intimate dialogues and atmospheric ambiance without any anomalies. Altogether, this presentation stands as one of the finest examples of audio quality for a catalog release, ensuring an engaging and enveloping experience for the audience.

The "Apollo 13" Blu-ray extras provide a rich, comprehensive behind-the-scenes look into the film and its historical context. Highlights include two insightful audio commentaries: one by director Ron Howard, offering enthusiastic and detailed reflections on adapting the true story, and another by astronaut Jim Lovell and his wife Marilyn, providing deeply personal accounts of their experience. An exceptional documentary, "Lost Moon: The Triumph of Apollo 13," features extensive interviews with cast, crew, and the real astronauts. Additional features explore the broader space race, technical aspects of the mission, and include retrospective interviews. While the new "Apollo 13: 20 Years Later" segment adds valuable perspective, it could benefit from more contributions from key cast members. Overall, these extras enrich the viewing experience significantly.

Extras included in this disc:

• Apollo 13: 20 Years Later: Retrospective with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer.
• Audio Commentary by Ron Howard: Insightful director's commentary.
• Audio Commentary by Jim and Marilyn Lovell: Personal reflections from the Lovells.
• Lost Moon: The Triumph of Apollo 13: In-depth documentary with interviews.
• Conquering Space: The Moon and Beyond: Documentary on the space race.
• Lucky 13: The Astronauts' Story: Interviews with the real astronauts.
• U-Control: Pop-up feature providing socio-cultural context and technical explanations.
• Theatrical Trailer.

Ron Howard's direction of "Apollo 13" demonstrates his remarkable versatility in handling distinct film projects. Originally perceived as a director of light-hearted comedies, Howard's masterful execution of this intense, real-life crisis garnered critical acclaim and repositioned him as a noteworthy filmmaker. "Apollo 13" is known for its understated performances, with Tom Hanks' portrayal of Jim Lovell exuding calm assurance amid the chaos. The impeccable ensemble cast, including Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Ed Harris, and Gary Sinise, delivers compelling performances that anchor the film in genuine human emotion. Despite minimal screen time together, the chemistry between Hanks and Kathleen Quinlan, who was Oscar-nominated for her role as Marilyn Lovell, adds emotional depth.

One of the film's notable achievements is its commitment to authenticity. Filmmakers utilized a NASA jet capable of simulating zero gravity by diving headlong at the ground, resulting in realistic weightless scenes that enhance the film’s immersive experience. Howard's refusal to employ green screens or wires for these sequences showcases technical prowess and dedication to realism. The launch sequence, in particular, is exhilarating and has been consistently praised for its breathtaking execution. Universal's decision to remaster the film in stunning 4K further enhances the movie's visual fidelity, making it a pioneering example of faithful historical reenactment coupled with state-of-the-art filmmaking techniques.

"Apollo 13" maintains a robust narrative flow, capturing the astronauts' perilous journey alongside Mission Control's frantic problem-solving efforts. The film adeptly balances technical specificity with emotional engagement, ensuring that viewers are not overwhelmed by jargon. Instead, the focus remains on the human drama and resilience that underscore the narrative. Employing spot-on production design that vividly recreates both the claustrophobic spacecraft interiors and early '70s Texas, Howard's film offers a gripping depiction of one of NASA’s most dramatic missions. In all facets—acting, directing, and technical execution—"Apollo 13" stands as an inspiring testament to human endurance and cinematic excellence.

The 20th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray release of "Apollo 13" showcases Ron Howard's acclaimed drama in all its glory, benefiting from a meticulous 4K remastering of the original 35mm elements. The resulting 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation is essentially flawless, preserving the film's rich visual texture and sharp detail. This remaster accomplishes a nearly perfect balance, free of age-revealing flaws and artificial enhancements, thus presenting the film in its most authentic form yet. Accompanying the stellar video quality is a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, which envelops viewers in the immersive soundscape of the space mission.

This edition doesn’t just stop at technical excellence; it also offers substantial value through its supplemental package. Highlighted by a newly produced filmmakers' retrospective, the included extras provide deep insights into the making of the film, enhancing the viewer's appreciation for the craftsmanship involved. The combination of pristine video, exceptional audio, and enriching supplementary content ensures that this release is not merely a rehash but a significant upgrade. This is particularly notable given Universal's efforts to correct past oversights with this faithful remaster.

The 20th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray release of "Apollo 13" elevates it to new heights and cements its status as an essential addition to any film aficionado's collection. Given its modest price point, acquiring this Blu-ray is practically compulsory for fans of the film and those passionate about NASA's storied space missions. Universal's exemplary treatment of "Apollo 13" should serve as a model for future re-releases, making this edition a definitive version worthy of high praise.

In conclusion, the 20th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray release of Apollo 13 makes Ron Howard's stunning Oscar-nominated drama that much more stunning with, for all intents and purposes, a perfect 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation created from a 4K remaster using the film's original 35mm elements. Add to that an excellent DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track and a solid supplemental package (with a newly produced filmmakers' retrospective) and you have a must-own release of Apollo 13. This isn't a double-dip. This is a re-release done right. One can only hope Universal will correct more of its old mistakes with equally faithful 4K remasters of other beloved catalog titles.