Review of 'The Moonwalkers: A Journey With Tom Hanks'

https://lightroom.uk/whats-on/the-moonwalkers/

This was my first visit to the Lightroom, a modern art display venue just a short distance from the Coal Yards behind Kings Cross. I have to say I was impressed with the venue and the show “Moonwalkers” narrated by Mr. “Apollo 13” himself, Tom Hanks was quite amazing to behold.

On arrival we were directed to the basement where we checked our bags and waited to be let into the auditorium. We were eventually led into the space which is a massive square space with stepped seating platforms in one corner with cushions throughout so you can just lounge wherever you like and in whatever position you choose (we picked semi-prone).

All four walls are used as projection screens which are ultra clear and do really pull you into the film. The film itself is, unsurprisingly, a documentary charting the efforts involved in landing man on the moon including interviews with astronauts with the current Artemis programme which seeks to return to the moon once again. The screens are most effective when showing panorama scenes such as those on the moon which really gives you a sense of the majesty. Many of the sequences will likely be new to most so make it even more interesting.

Interestingly, you are allowed to take pictures so I did:

Perhaps not the heaviest on content, “Moonwalkers” is an inspiration piece that compares the spirit of the modern Artemis project to the spirit of the original moonwalkers of the late 1960s and early 1970s. I am not sure how much this premise holds but it certainly shows how much we are indebted to the original pioneers and the effort that was involved in these early days of space travel. The big thing here is the experience itself rather than the content, much like what you experience when seeing an IMAX film, so in this the film delivers.

Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”

Review Date: 2024-05-25

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Location: London (England)

Address: 12, Lewis Cubitt Square, London N1C 4DY ENGLAND

Public Transport: Kings Cross or St. Pancras International

Telephone: +44 (0) 300 303 4216

URL: https://lightroom.uk/

An amazing venue with a huge square auditorium surrounded by video walls on which are projected immersive video installations such as fashion shows and documentaries. There is a gift shop here as well as a small bar. The cloak room is in the basement and this is also where you enter the lightroom itself.