Passengers (2016)

[Greg]

Chris Pratt and Jeniffer Lawrence accidentally come awake on a 132 year space voyage to a colony world after the ship experiences an emergency.

This film is slow and ponderous but I kind of like it. Kudos for trying to make an original science fiction film in these days of Marvel tent poles. But it's less about adventure and more about loneliness and finding the right person. The sets were beautiful and again who green lighted the expense for those? For a good chunk of the film it's just Chris Pratt realizing he's going to be dead long before the ship reaches it's destination. Then Lawrence wakes up and they bond and fall in love until the next crisis.

The film kind of goes off the rails when they have to save the ship from destruction. it's a lot of that we need to press this button in order to save the ship scenrios. It always feel very mcguffin-esque.

But they get through it and the ending works nicely.


It's a good film not great.

[thatguy]

I found this on Netflix, not knowing anything about it, despite Greg having reviewed it. 




I liked the story line. It felt a little like 50's sci-fi. Situational, plus moral dilemma. The ship is a colony ship on a 120 year trip. Passengers and crew are in hibernation for the entire journey, except for the last four months where they are awakened and then get to mingle, and prep for life on the colony. So for that last leg, the ship is a luxury liner. The first act was like Castaway. Pratt does Pratt, playing, a space mechanic, who, once he comes to terms with his situation, lives the high life, taking advantage of all the cruise liner has to offer, goes to pot, and gets lonely. Michael Sheen (Good Omens) plays the robot barkeep that isn't much company. (Reminds me of the AI hotel manager from Altered Carbon)

Act two becomes a space rom-com with Jennifer Lawrence. Story still works for me. 

Act three goes a bit off the rails as the malfunction that caused Pratt to wake up early in the first place becomes a bigger plot point. There's a bit of artistic license with physics and stuff. It's the most action packed part of the film.

Overall, I liked it. I liked the design of the sets, the pacing was good. It think there was a missed opportunity to get philosophical about the moral dilemma and means vs ends. 

Another lite recommendation. 

--tg