Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood

I'm not very well-versed in the directorial resume of Richard Linklater. 

I know he has a storied career, but outside of School of Rock many years back and the vastly overrated Boyhood (I will die on that hill), I've not seen many of his films. And, I shouldn't let my opinions of Boyhood skew my judgment of him as a whole. 

For some reason then, I was eager to watch Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood (which is a ridiculous title) once it released on Netflix. I was digging the animation style - which Linklater has used before - and the whole premise seemed silly and whimsical to me. 

Having started this before Morbius and finishing it after, I'm happy to have cleansed my palette of the forgettable Marvel fare with something endearing like Apollo 10 1/2. Much like Boyhood felt like, Apollo 10 1/2 is a bit aimless in its approach, not really having all that much of a plot outside of "boy imagines he goes to space", but the journey throughout the short and sweet 90ish minute film is a good time, notated deliberately by a ton of nostalgia. 

The nostalgia is highly effective however, and it brings the audience with it, because it doesn't feel like you had to have lived during the space race, or in Houston for that matter, in order to "get it". One of the things I enjoyed the most about the film after it became apparent the whole prepping-for-space-element was going to take a back seat, was how wondrous a job it did setting the stage of space-centered Houston in the late 60s. It's both educational and fun, while also hitting on elements that speak to the child in all of us. Things like playing outside at night during the summer, popsicles that are too frozen and hurt your tongue, dramatic injuries from Red-Rover-Red-Rover, and many more almost feel somewhat timeless, regardless of the era. 

I really enjoy this type of animation. It's captivating

In this way, Apollo 10 1/2 is a great movie, despite not really going anywhere. It captures the essence of childhood comically, imaginatively, and realistically, while also having a double focus on the interesting history of the time. There are obvious parallels between what people were feeling back then with the Cold War, Vietnam War, JFK Assassination, etc. and now (with well...you know...everything) and it strangely almost made me feel better that at pretty much any time in history, there are adults who are going to worry too much. Aside from that comfort, the history of this time is super interesting and there's a lot of (animated) straight footage of telecasts, TV shows, news, and the space program.

That animation, that may feel unnecessary on the surface, is incredibly effective in making this a memorable and unique movie. Much like A Scanner Darkly - one of Linklater's earlier films - the animation is essentially overlaid on live actors. This isn't a Disney or Pixar animation; you're watching live frames just through the lens of colorful animation. The result is a sometimes trippy, but consistently impressive added layer and I particularly enjoyed the aforementioned "live" TV segments from the 60s that get "updated" with this animation style. It's hard to put an exact finger on it, but the animation just makes the film that much better. 

Apollo 10 1/2 is an easy recommendation for lots of reasons. It's a short, sweet, endearing, and easily accessible film (on Netflix) with a lot of relatable elements coupled with very interesting history. I wish there was a little more purpose to the whole thing, but at 97 minutes, it doesn't matter all that much.

CONS

• A bit aimless. Starts off with a distinct-feeling plot and then digresses often
• Some of the childhood memory segments feel disjointed, almost like they're just trying to list as many memories as possible

PROS

• The short runtime means the lack of much direction isn't a big deal and the film is rewarding and endearing
• Incredible use of nostalgia that brings the audience along, relating to them regardless of if they lived in the late 60s or not
• Lots of interesting history and information! I didn't know much about 1969 Houston beforehand so I feel like I learned a decent amount
• Great narration by Jack Black with a cast that nails being "natural" in their very normal roles
• Fun and very often funny
• Animation style puts it over the top and makes it unique. I loved this element about it

Rath's Review Score | 8/10