(SPOILER WARNING!!! This article does contain spoilers, if you haven’t seen the movie, just see the first paragraph to be informed without spoilers!!!)

Once you get past the mathematical equations and space talk, Hidden Figures is an enjoyable film for everybody to watch and be inspired!!!

Rating: 4 Stars

I enjoy any role that Taraji P. Henson plays. She has a huge presence. I first remember her in the film Baby Boy, which always gets broadcast on BET, where you see her potential. Now you see her up there with many respected actors. I also really enjoy seeing her in the TV Show Empire where she demands your attention and is very entertaining. I look forward to films she will star in, because I know you will get top of the line acting from her.

What I Like: The story of this film is inspirational. When I saw the trailer, I didn’t even know NASA had African-Americans (let alone women) working for them in the beginning stages of the space movement and Space Race. I was completely ignorant of their story, and it really intrigued to watch this film with it’s great cast. The fact that during this time not only are these women fighting to put America on the map in the Space Race against Russia, but they are also fighting for civil rights during the pinnacle of the Civil Rights Movement. What’s inspirational about it is that these woman work hard and proved to the many people at NASA that they are important and were instrumental for the US’ success in having an American orbit around the Earth. I enjoyed the story of Katherine Johnson, played by Taraji P. Henson, who had to fight through many different barriers to be a part of the NASA team. Even though she proves it time after time, there were still barriers she had to break through with a lot of poise and grace. That moment where she had to walk a mile just to use the colored bathroom, and once she called the group out on it, it made them realize how they are treating them even though they are a vital part of their team. I also enjoyed seeing Glen Powell playing the famous astronaut, John Glenn. I loved how they showed him as a genuine man who looked past the color of their skin and saw their talent. They really portrayed him as a kind and ambitious gentleman that will do whatever it takes for him and the US to be successful. Even though you knew what will happen in this film, it was very thrilling to watch the scene where they successfully had John Glen orbit around the Earth, and it is all thanks to trusting Katherine Johnson and her skill in getting the numbers and equations right.

The So So: I thought the other two stories for Dorothy Vaughn, played by Octavia Spencer, and Mary Jackson, played by Janelle Monae were overshadowed by Katherine Johnson’s story. It did show the importance of their work and how they fought to be respected for their craft, but I thought it didn’t put enough emphasis to make it as powerful as Katherine’s story. With that said, I still enjoyed their story, and their chemistry with one another as friends that really made the movie flow very well.

What I Didn’t Like: For a film about math and space engineering, you do get a lot of that. For a simple minded person like me, it can be hard for me to keep up with what they are trying to say. I give my props to the people that do understand, and they will probably enjoy watching it more than me. However, for me, it was too much, and it can get boring at times for me.

Overall: It is a good inspiring movie that is appropriate enough for the whole family to enjoy. It shows that no matter what is your situation, hard work and perseverance can get you where you need to, and be respected. That’s what I enjoyed about it the most, and made me forget about all the space math jargon this film’s dialogue has. I believe we need more of these films to show that people do care and respect everybody’s history that makes the country great!!!

Rating: 4 Stars