Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Apollo 13 is the rare historical drama that's both genuinely educational and genuinely thrilling. Your kid will learn more about physics, engineering, and problem-solving in two hours than a month of science class, and they'll actually be engaged.

The catch: it's a 1995 Ron Howard film, which means it moves at a deliberate pace. No quick cuts, no CGI spectacle, just Tom Hanks doing math in a tin can while Ed Harris chain-smokes and solves impossible problems on the ground. Kids raised on Marvel might fidget. But for tweens and teens who can handle slower burns, this is a masterclass in what humans can do when everything goes wrong.

The emotional intensity is real—you will feel the danger—but it's handled maturely. One parent noted an 'unnecessary shower scene' at the 20-minute mark (easily skippable), and there's mild PG-rated profanity. Otherwise, this is about as wholesome as life-or-death drama gets.

If your kid loves space, science, or just wants to see what real heroism looks like without capes, this is essential viewing. Just maybe don't start it at 8 PM on a school night—it's 140 minutes and earns every one.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-12+ who can handle sustained tension and slower pacing. The emotional intensity and life-or-death stakes require some maturity, but there's nothing graphic. Adults will appreciate it too—this is a legitimately great film that holds up, even if younger viewers might need more buy-in.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

92

Models exceptional teamwork, problem-solving under pressure, and cooperation between astronauts and ground control. Emotionally intense but appropriate—the tension comes from real danger, not manufactured drama. Shows families supporting each other through crisis. Mild language (PG-rated) and one brief shower scene noted by parents, but overwhelmingly positive character modeling.

Imaginative

78

Dramatizes one of history's most creative problem-solving missions—literally building CO2 scrubbers from spare parts in space. The 'square peg in a round hole' scene is iconic for showing ingenuity under constraints. However, it's a historical retelling, not original fiction, and the 1995 production values and pacing feel dated to modern viewers. Inspires curiosity about space but doesn't invite direct creative participation.

Safe

88

Rated PG for 'language and emotional intensity.' Parent reviews confirm mild profanity and one unnecessary shower scene around the 20-minute mark. The peril is real but not graphic—no gore, just tension and one dream sequence of an astronaut being sucked into space. The emotional stakes are high (potential death), but it's handled maturely without traumatizing content. Very predictable structure for a historical drama.

Enriching

94

This is a masterclass in STEM problem-solving, teamwork, and grace under pressure. Kids see real NASA engineers and astronauts working through impossible odds with math, physics, and creativity. Teaches resilience, the scientific method, and the value of staying calm in crisis. Strong performances (94% RT critics, 87% audience, 7.7 IMDB) make the history lesson compelling. Common Sense Media rates it 12+, and it's genuinely educational without being preachy.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Peak STEM education disguised as a thriller—real problem-solving with actual physics and engineering constraints
Models exceptional teamwork, calm under pressure, and creative thinking when the stakes are life-or-death
Based on true events that show what humans can accomplish when everyone brings their A-game
Strong family dynamics and emotional depth without melodrama—the Lovell family scenes are genuinely moving
94% on Rotten Tomatoes and considered one of the best space films ever made

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What to Watch For

Emotionally intense—kids will feel the real danger and fear, though nothing graphic happens
Brief unnecessary shower scene around minute 20 (rear nudity, easily skippable)
Mild profanity throughout (PG-rated, nothing shocking)
1995 pacing is deliberate and slow by 2025 standards—kids used to rapid cuts may get restless
Best for kids who can handle sustained tension and delayed gratification in storytelling

Conversation Starters

"What would you do if you had to build something to save your life using only what's in this room?"
"The engineers had to stay calm even when they were terrified. When have you had to keep it together when you were scared?"
"Why do you think Jim Lovell said 'Houston, we have a problem' instead of freaking out?"
"If you were on the ground crew, what job would you want—doing the math, building the prototype, or talking to the astronauts?"
"Do you think space travel is worth the risk? What makes something worth risking your life for?"

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