Richard Linklater is known for his coming-of-age films, and Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood, which will be released on Netflix on April 1 following a SXSW debut this month, seems to be just as good. What’s the key distinction? This is the filmmaker’s first animated picture since 2006’s A Scanner Darkly, and both films have a similar, live-action-like look. A new teaser showcases the stunning visuals while also giving us a new look at the plot.
As you could have guessed from the Apollo theme, it takes place in the summer of 1969. It echoes Linklater’s interest with the space race, which saw the United States compete with the Soviet Union to land the first man on the moon. In this novel, the young protagonist, presumably a stand-in for Linklater, takes a fantasy voyage to the moon on his own, thanks to NASA unintentionally creating the lunar module too enormous for adults to fit onboard.
The world is changing back on Earth: individuals are wearing bell-bottoms, American culture and politics are evolving in new ways, yet the country remains united under the spotlight of a rocket.
Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood will be released on April 1, Netflix . Linklater is the director, writer, and producer of the film. Danielle Guilbot, Zachary Levi, Milo Coy, Sam Chipman, Jessica Brynn Cohen, Lee Eddy, Bill Wise, Natalie L’Amoreaux, Josh Wiggins, Glen Powell, and Jack Black are among the voice actors. Let’s take a peek at the trailer: