EssenceStory Well Deserved Praise

Btexxamar I like Black Panther, but I didn't like this movie.

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

AutCuddly Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

krocheav Without knowing what to expect from this Russian docudrama, it proved enthralling from beginning to the final return to earth. The viewer is treated to nothing short of class entertainment from an expert team of Russian producers. Superb stylised images from cinematographer Anton Antonov - Polished direction by Payel Parkkhomenko. The Superior script tends to back up statements made by ex Hollywood 'nasty' Steven Berkoff, who said in a TV interview - words to the effect:...'Writers should be made to work harder to find ways of expressing situations without resorting to the lazy gutter style and language, adding that this has a tendency to turn people into mulch'...Interesting thought, considering enacted movies are not 'documentaries' but merely artificial interpretations of 'reality'. So, just how imperative is all today's over the top 'fake' reality...?'Gagarin's' excellent screenplay tends to demonstrate Berkoff's claim, by also telling the gritty story of the persecution of Russian peasants during the German occupation - without resorting to unnecessary sensationalism. Toping it all off is a winning performance delivered by Yaroslav Zhalnin as the amiable Yuri Gagarin, the first man to be launched into space!. In fact all cast performances are excellent throughout.Also impressive is the way this production tells its story within the running time of 108mins (the time it took Gagarin to be hurled around the earth in his primitive tin can). These exemplary Russian movie makers, tell their important true story with a minimum of mocked up CGI effects, delivering a truly spectacular and fully believable experience. The broad music score is curiously supplied by a young composer from Cyprus, George Kallis. Kallis has a love of older classic movie scores and it shows in his melodic sweep. Additional music is supplied by talented British based Michael Eastwood (The Guardians). These men also richly orchestrate their own compositions.The intense study of personal camaraderie shared by the full team of brave contenders - as they diligently train together for this gigantic leap forward is to be admired. Some critics have said this screenplay leans towards a degree of propaganda but how could this story be told without elements of propaganda? after all, they led the world in putting a man into space and getting him back alive!.Economic historians have told us it was this feat that lead the US to push forward with several dubious promotions to launch various American 'products' onto the world stage ('Art' can be looked at as one example). Sadly it also looks as if this movie may have been overlooked in the USA...so few posts for this fine work is surprising.Don't expect an overblown mega million dollar CGI extravaganza but do expect a compelling $9.1/2 million dollar cinematic journey. Discerning viewers will be richly rewarded. In order to keep the film at its perfect 108min running time, the producers don't venture ahead into the difficulties Yury experienced with worldwide hero status, or his tragic death 7 yrs later - during a serious (and highly controversial) test flight disaster that sadly ended his life at just 34 yrs of age. This is an informative entertainment worth being seen by all ages - it would also make great classroom stuff. KenR.

grantss Good biopic.The story of Yuri Gagarin, the first person in space. Told by concentrating on his historic flight, interspersed with flashbacks to his youth, Air Force training, cosmonaut training, his relationships and family life.Very well made. The special effects for Gagarin's journey into space and back are superb. The story around the flight is also well told - the director creates genuine tension regarding his safety, even before he goes into space. As you can imagine there would have been - nobody had done it before, and the technology was fairly primitive. The personal side is kind of schmaltzy though. There are also some other scenes that don't seem to add much to the movie.A good story on a very brave man.

hamlet-16 Is it propaganda? Yes in the same way as The Right Stuff or Apollo 13 are propaganda but this does not detract from the massive technical achievement of the Gagarin's flight.At that moment the USSR was vastly in advance of US in space technology.This would change but nothing can change the events of April 1961.The film is very well made with breathtaking and realistic special effects and fine acting especially by Yaroslav Zhalnin... his Gagarin is intense intelligent and determined.I imagine he an Neil Armstrong were cut form similar cloth.Overall this film is a fine drama not afraid to discuss the political games in play.Worth a view especially for anyone interested in space and as a antidote to the endless mindless CGI fueled science fiction we see in our cinemas.

Bear Mac Mathun This is a well constructed biopic. The narrative style is very evocative and non-linear, making a very compelling story. The portrayal of the pilots and engineers align to those in real life.It also communicates the difficulties, technical challenges and personal rivalries of the space programmes. With space travel being part of life for so many years, it is easy to forget how little anyone knew about the affects of space on people. Even now there is much to learn.The film also captures the competition between the Soviet Union and the United States, and how achievements in space were such a source of national pride.The scenes are well framed and shot, the direction is tight and the acting is well done. There are a few cheesy moments, which provided comic relief.Overall, this is an intelligent film about an engaging person, and should be of interest to anyone interested in the space race or space travel today.