Race to Space

In this fictional version of the story of the first chimp sent into space, Billy is the new kid at school, the son of one of the scientists in charge of making sure we can join the Russians in the space race.

Some of the kids are mean to Billy, calling him a Nazi, among other things. Billy's father starts bringing him to work to help him adjust to his new situation, and it is there that he discovers the chimp project. Billy's teacher wants him to do a paper on space flight, and he chooses the chimps as a topic, and he later gets to do important work in the program. Dr. McGuinness has an additional challenge to face, besides getting the chimps ready for the potentially dangerous flight. She's a woman, and female scientists are not being accepted by men the way they are today.

Meanwhile, Roger Thornhill wants his company to build the rockets, and he doesn't appreciate the fact that Germans are the ones putting Americans in space.

James Woods is very convincing but often stereotypical as a by-the-book German scientist. Later on he shows a warm side, which was hinted at when Billy first got in trouble at school. In fact, he seems every bit as American as the other characters at times, except for that accent. The other German characters, unfortunately, seem like they belong in "Hogan's Heroes" and don't exactly inspire confidence.

Alex D. Linz does just fine as Billy, who more than once gets the opportunity to save the day, which is fine for the kids watching the movie but not particularly realistic. And the chimp who gets to go into space does quite a capable job (I won't say which one it is). Mark Moses does a fine job as Alan Shepard, who in real life ends up as the first American in space. And Annabeth Gish is likable as the scientist in charge of the chimps.

William Devane is sometimes deliciously evil, and at other times just plain evil, as the executive who has devious plans for the space program. William Atherton is more stereotypical as the 'inside man' who helps Devane's character.

What a appears to be a documentary on the space race starts the film, and similar footage is shown at other times. This is interesting.

Kennedy became president during the events of this film. This is okay even though the actual flight of the first chimp took place too soon for Kennedy to have been in office as long as he appeared to be here. People liked Kennedy and his comments in the inaugural speech add to the film. Another minor flaw: 1962 Chevrolets were not introduced until much later in 1961.

This movie isn't really a comedy, but it is funny at times. There may have been some editing, but overall, it seemed clean enough for most kids to watch. There are some frightening scenes involving the training and the actual flight, but this is to be expected with something as new as space travel was.

This was pretty good.

Anyone even mildly annoyed by the character of Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation will want to throw their TV out the window when they see this turkey. Remember how, week after week, young Wesley would always find some amazing way to pull the Enterprise out of trouble and all those highly trained and experienced Starfleet officers could only stand around and gape in wonder? Well, this movie is far, far worse. Anyone even remotely aware of the real history of Project Mercury will retch at the liberties taken with basic facts by this movie.

I don't expect historical accuracy in a film like this. But this movie is full of tired cliches (such as James Woods' German scientist) and ludicrous plot holes that even kids should see right through. For example, our hero discovers that a corrupt NASA manager has sabotaged a launch to gain a lucrative position with an aerospace contractor. Now one would ordinarily expect someone in such a position to immediately inform the appropriate security officials, right? Not in this movie. No, the kid, his father and a few of his co-workers secretly fix the rocket themselves!

I suppose this movie might amuse some very, very young kids, but that's about it.

Granted, it's sentimental, and obviously made for TV, but I thoroughly enjoyed this film, which I can't say of some much higher-rated films here. The acting was fine really, tho indeed funny to hear James Woods talk semi-German. I think everybody in the cast did a fine job however. The story was told well, and interesting enough to follow. It was also visually well executed.

All in all an inspirational film for kids and adults because the message is that everyone can make a difference, make friends and make dreams come true. I find it sad that movies like this get dismissed as sentimental garbage. I prefer it much over negative and pretentious pieces.

I would rate this 7/10, but kids will give it 9/10!

I disagree with the other comment that this wasn't a good movie for kids. There is so much negativity that kids are exposed to today, that i think it's important for kids to know that they have options in this world, and good things can happen if you give things a chance. Kids get enough reality from tv, news, friends, parents. I think it's still important for kids to enjoy some fantasy. They are kids for only a very short part of their life. I'm not saying the movie couldn't be improved upon. But, I would rather watch something like this than some of the violent movies that use the "F" word in every other sentence.

Motherless Alex D. Linz moves to Cocoa Beach with his father. Because his name is Wilhelm von Huber II, and daddy is James Woods with a German accent standing in for Werner von Braun, he's bullied by his classmates as a Nazi. Woods doesn't have a clue as to what he does, but Annabeth Gish, in charge of the chimpanzees who are being trained for the first Mercury launch notices the boy has an emotional connection with one of the chimps, and appoints him an official trainer.

It's actually a nice little child's-eye view of the beginning of the Space Race. It has a bit of politics, a bit of industrial espionage, and a decent, if light view of the goings on in the era, like a YA version of THE RIGHT STUFF. Plus a chimpanzee, of course. With William Devane, William Atherton, and Barry Corbin.