Fabulous effects.Lousy movie

Rating: 5/10 (25 April 2014)

This film is preposterous. But you tend to overlook its absurd plot, scientific inaccuracies and impossible scenario and become totally entranced in the exceptional effects. They're probably better than those in 2001 and that may be due to the huge advances in computer graphics since that classic was made. After stating in the titles that there is no sound in space, the film proceeds to present a cacophony of bangs, clangs and clumps. How does an American trained astronaut know how to operate both Russian and Chinese vehicles with all the controls marked in those languages. Likewise the handy instruction manuals on both the Russian and the Chinese vehicles. How is it possible for a space capsule to descend to earth without being tracked and without rescuers standing by. Without guidance from the ground, how do you ensure that the space vehicle doesn't land in the middle of the ocean or, conversely, in the middle of Times Square. Great as the remarkable scenes may be, this film merely reinforces my long standing conviction that there never has been a really great sci-fi movie.Even 2001 was preachy and ponderous