Is ‘Apollo 13’ in IMAX Worth It?

There are few 90s movies more iconic than Apollo 13. The harrowing story, based on true events, turns 30 years old this year. To celebrate, Apollo 13 will be given a limited release in IMAX from September 19th through the 25th. Is this classic piece of American history worth seeing on the biggest screen you can find?

Apollo 13 is a historical drama about one of the most harrowing events in NASA history. The 13th Apollo mission, a planned moon landing, was disrupted when part of the spacecraft was damaged halfway to the moon. Astronauts Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), his flight crew Fred Haise (Bill Paxton) and Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon) must battle time, physics, and the icy vacuum of space to make it back to earth.

But, is it worth watching in IMAX? I wont keep you in suspense, the answer is yes. Apollo 13 was the ultimate in visual spectacle when it was released in traditional theaters in 1995, and it remains an incredibly powerful theatrical experience. Due to the technology at the time, not every shot is as crisp as more recent films, and the occasional flaw in green screen keying may pop into view from time to time, but I was still in awe of how well the visual effects held up. To top it all off, the visuals are layered over a well paced and emotional story filled with excitement, suspense, and some incredibly well acted characters.

Ultimately, Apollo 13 in IMAX is for anyone who loves an intense cinematic experience. The Ron Howard directed film has always been incredible, and it’s only enhanced by the nearly 20ft tall format. Check out my full review of Apollo 13, and book your tickets asap. The film will be on IMAX screens September 19th through the 25th.