SF is a very loosely defined genre, and, therefore, I see no reason why
APOLLO 13 does not quallify as SF, at least in a general sense--and hard
SF, at that. No actual news or NASA footage was used in the film,
therefore it sas fiction, albeit historical fiction.
More importantly, I think the film explores one of the classic SF
themes--that, when we, as a species, use our minds and work together, we
can solve seemingly impossible problems--even if those problems may have
been of our own making. APOLLO 13 is a celebration of the space program,
and this has always been one of the favorite ventures of many, if not
most, members of the SF community.
On the lighter side, I will include a limerick which I wrote and
sold to ASIMOV'S, almost 20 years ago
WELL, IT WASN'T _FORBIDDEN PLANET_, BUT...
Neil Armstrong once thrilled the whole nation,
With flicks of his lunar vacation;
As SF films go--
Not much of a show--
But, it was the first made on location!
--Dan J. Hicks
Best to all!
--Dan Hicks
"The idea is like grass. It craves light, likes crowds, thrives on
cross-breeding, grows better for being stepped on."
--Ursula K. Le Guin
|