October Sky

Variety Joe Leydon

Immensely entertaining and unabashedly inspirational.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

One of the best elements of the movie is in breaking free, he is respecting his father. This movie has deep values.

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

A family tale, in the best sense. [19 February 1999, Tempo, p.4]

ReelViews James Berardinelli

With its lack of car chases, fist fights, and over-the-top melodrama, the film has to rely on solid acting, an intelligent script, and capable directing.

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

One of the most unfashionable movies of the new year, and one of the more appealing. [19 February 1999, Calendar, p.F-10]

Washington Post Stephen Hunter

It makes a great point: Love, honor and respect your father, but then get the hell out of town.

Slate David Edelstein

At its best, the movie evokes that blend of thrill and terror that comes from mixing two chemicals together without being sure that an instant later you'll still be standing there in one piece.

Village Voice Gary Dauphin

A professionally crafted family film that reserves all its challenging moments for its characters, letting the audience bask comfortably in the approach of a predetermined warm and fuzzy ending.

Entertainment Weekly Troy Patterson

Duller than rocket science and more reliant on formulas.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Liam Lacey

Now if that isn't an inspirational story, it's hard to know what is.

USA Today Mike Clark

The finale, which utilizes vintage home movies to show us the real people we've just seen portrayed, packs a wallop. [19 February 1999, Life, p.13E]

San Francisco Chronicle Peter Stack

This film is family.

Rolling Stone Peter Travers

The film is rich in period flavor and refreshingly unhip.

San Francisco Examiner David Armstrong

While this movie hasn't many surprises, it does offer strong performances, especially from Gyllenhaal.

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

Here's hoping other filmmakers will follow its spirit, if not all of its methods.

Chicago Reader Lisa Alspector

The movie manages to push buttons without seeming formulaic.

The New York Times Elvis Mitchell

Despite its "based on a true story" opening credit, this earnest, nostalgic film has a way of seeming too good to be true.

Washington Post Desson Thomson

Paint-by-numbers feel-gooder, in which Homer and his friends decide to win a national science fair for their little town and, ultimately, for America.

Film Threat Tom Meek

Cooper who was so poignant in "Lone Star," gives an emotionally robust performance.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Keith Phipps

Offers a strange mix of sentimentality and social criticism, sometimes mixing the two to awkward effect.

TV Guide Maitland McDonagh

The film's most fully realized performance is Chris Cooper's.

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

October Sky falls flat (despite its rich tone and some startling cinematography by Fred Murphy) due to its all-too-obvious third act and the vague fact that, really, not that much happens.

Dallas Observer Michael Sragow

October Sky may be set around coal mines, but ultimately it's Field of Corn, Part II.