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Parents' Guide to

Armstrong

By Tara McNamara, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Portrait of an American hero celebrates humility, hard work.

Movie NR 2019 98 minutes
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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

Through interviews, newsreels, never-before-seen home movies, and Neil Armstrong's own words, ARMSTRONG looks at the life of the first man to walk on the moon. Friends, family, and colleagues share insights about Armstrong's childhood in rural Ohio, aerial combat in the Korean War, and college years at Purdue University, and his efforts with NASA through the historic Apollo mission.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Like Neil Armstrong himself, this documentary unspools with an understated, steady, quiet, unflappable calm. It's a nice complement to other films about the lunar landing, such as Apollo 11 or First Man; the difference being that Armstrong covers Armstrong's entire life, not just the months surrounding the walk on the moon. In doing so, the case is made for "why him?" -- i.e., why an ordinary kid from an unremarkable part of the country ended up living one of the most extraordinary lives. The answer is straight from the parental advice playbook: Study hard, stay out of trouble, treat others with respect, be kind, and so on. These qualities weren't just the recipe for becoming an astronaut; they're what got him selected to be first off the rocket.

This biodoc was authorized by Armstrong's children, giving family, friends, and NASA cohorts permission (and confidence) to share previously unheard stories. Through his writings and speeches, Armstrong himself "speaks," albeit with a Hollywood voice: Harrison Ford. A fellow aviator and famous on-screen spaceman, Ford punctuates the film with his world-weary confidence, his slightly gravely tones finding the deeper meaning in the astronaut's words. The involvement of the Star Wars rebel represents the film's only cinematic sizzle, so while its messages about working hard and being a good person are exactly the kinds of things we want our kids to hear, the docu is really only likely to captivate Space Campers who are already in awe of one of history's most accomplished citizens.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Armstrong's personal and professional qualities that led to him being selected as the first man to walk on the moon. In what ways did Armstrong show his integrity, courage, and humility?

  • Discuss the Armstrong family and the way Janet supported and dealt with Neil's dangerous pursuits. Why is it important to show her perspective? Would you say his family demonstrated teamwork? What other examples of teamwork did you see in the film?

  • Explain how communication is essential in a space mission. What did you observe from the film?

  • How is perseverance necessary when trying to accomplish something that's never been done before? The film discusses the nonchalant attitude toward the loss of lives in trying to beat the Russians to the moon. If the U.S. hadn't persisted, how do you think it would have impacted America, if at all?

  • How did Armstrong and his family deal with the fame and expectations that came with his job? What do you think it would be like to be famous? What are the pros and cons?

Movie Details

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