Parents' Guide to

Fight for Space

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Thoughtful docu about space program urges return to cosmos.

Movie NR 2017 92 minutes
Fight for Space Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 10+

Based on 1 parent review

age 10+

This title has:

Too much swearing

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This well-made, thought-provoking documentary shines a different light on the space program, succinctly explaining why it wound down in the 1970s. According to Fight for Space, the moon missions were at heart a military endeavor. Conceived at the height of the Cold War, they were designed to showcase U.S. technological superiority -- which they did, beyond any doubt. Mission accomplished.

Yes, the space program also led to some amazing scientific breakthroughs and had a profound impact on the economy and pop culture, but all that was secondary, according to this film. And that's why, the film says, the program came to an end once it had served its purpose. Fight for Space argues that this retreat from space was a mistake and presses for a renewed effort to explore the solar system. Yes, it's expensive, and there may not be a whole lot of immediate economic benefits, but the lessons of the 1960s -- and from Bill Nye the Science Guy -- make it clear that much good will follow.

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