In this current climate of movies, it is indeed a very refreshing experience to watch a movie that is not based on an action figure or a comic series, nor remake or reboot of an old classic.
Hidden Figures brings you back to the early ’60s at a time when how NASA was competing neck to neck with the Soviet Union in the space race during the Cold War.
This story focuses on three African-American women that made a difference in NASA and to the nation during a very difficult and challenging time of racial segregation in the United States. Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer), Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae), and Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) were few of the many African-American women that contributed their service as “human computers” in NASA. The movie, inspired by the story, tells of these three women that quickly rose the ranks in NASA during the momentous launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, and guaranteeing his safe return.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and found it quite educational historically. It was tough enough to succeed in a seemingly unjust era as a woman–what more when you were African-American on top that. It was great to watch Academy Award winning actor and filmmaker, Kevin Costner on the screen again after a very long time as Al Harrison, the Space Task Group Leader, a fictitious character based on a composite of several real leaders at NASA.
It was no surprise that this movie also boasts an amazing soundtrack since ten-time Grammy Award winner, Pharrell Williams who not only produced Hidden Figures but also collaborated with 9-time Oscar nominated legend, Hans Zimmer.
Related: The Music of Hans Zimmer vs John Williams
I highly recommend this movie as it opens your mind to a bygone era and yet retaining timeless the values of perseverance, respect, hard work and passion. Prepare to be highly inspired after watching this movie.