Race to Space

Race to Space is a 2001 family movie directed by Sean McNamara and written by Sean McNamara, Gregg Davis and Jeff Phillips. The film follows the story of an unlikely duo, a young boy named Wilhelm "Wil" Potter (Alex D. Linz), who dreams of being an astronaut, and Dr. Wilhelm Von Huber (William Atherton), a German rocket scientist who escaped Nazi Germany during World War II.

The movie begins with young Wil Potter and his parents attending a rocket launch in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Wil dreams of becoming an astronaut, and as he watches the rocket launch, he's inspired by the idea that humans can reach the stars. However, he quickly comes down to earth when he learns that his father has been laid off from his job at the space center.

Meanwhile, in Germany, a group of American scientists are searching for Dr. Von Huber, who has been missing since the end of World War II. They believe that he's working on a secret rocket program for the Russian government. The team finally tracks down Von Huber and persuades him to come to America and join the space program.

When Von Huber arrives in America, his reputation precedes him, and many Americans are uncomfortable with the idea of working with a former Nazi scientist. Wil, however, is fascinated by the idea of working with a rocket scientist, and he starts to help Von Huber build a rocket in his backyard.

With the help of their dedicated team, Von Huber and Wil build a prototype rocket, and Von Huber is able to put it through its paces in front of the NASA officials. However, Von Huber's Nazi past makes it difficult for him to gain the trust of his colleagues, and some refuse to work with him.

Von Huber's determination and Wil's passion for space inspire the team to work together, and eventually, they are able to build a proper rocket that is capable of carrying a human into space. The movie culminates in the launch of the rocket, with Wil and Von Huber's careers and reputations on the line.

Race to Space is an excellent family movie that is both inspiring and educational. It's a story of how a young boy's dream and a misunderstood scientist's passion can overcome adversity to achieve their goals. The film highlights the importance of perseverance, team spirit, and hard work in achieving one's dreams.

The performances in Race to Space are top-notch, with Alex D. Linz delivering a charming and convincing performance as Wil. William Atherton delivers an excellent performance as Dr. Von Huber, portraying a man who has lived through the horrors of war and is still determined to achieve his goals.

James Woods' character in the movie is also noteworthy. He plays Dr. Wilhelm Scream, a NASA official who's initially skeptical of Von Huber, but gradually comes to admire and respect him.

Race to Space is also notable for its accurate portrayal of some of the key events in the history of rocket development. The movie touches upon the work of Wernher von Braun and the Saturn V rocket that sent the Apollo astronauts to the moon.

Overall, Race to Space is an engaging and inspiring family movie that's perfect for fans of space exploration and adventure. The movie does a fantastic job of celebrating the ingenuity and spirit of human beings, demonstrating our ability to achieve greatness when we work together toward a common goal.