The Old Switcheroo (SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!)

Rating: 5/10 (24 March 2017)

I maybe speaking for myself, but I am getting very, VERY tired of downbeat 'surprise' endings. This movie isn't bad. It's an unapologetic homage to 'Alien', but slightly better scientific background. The actors are good, and credible, but the roles are not challenging.
I am writing this review, however, about the ending. As the picture closes, the characters played by Jake Gyllenhaal and Rebecca Ferguson decide the new creature is too dangerous to be allowed even into the atmosphere. So Gyllenhaal, who does not want to return to Earth, decides to lure the being into a pod, and shoot into outer space, while Ferguson will try to find safety on Earth a' la Sandra Bullock in Gravity. All this is with reference to sophisticated guidance systems.
So all this takes place, and we see the capsules going in opposite directions. Then - at the end - the earth-bound one is opened - and - GASP!! - HORRIBLE SURPRISE - the wrong one went to Earth!!!! The creature is among us!!!
Come on. This is a surprise?? It was old by the time Twilight Zone ended its first run. And never mind that in terms of any engineering logic, plus the competence that members of a space crew would have to demonstrate even to be there, this end is absolutely incredible.
Plus it is SOOOOOO predictable. I wish some of these clever guys would take a leaf from Soderburgh's 'Contagion', which showed competent people doing their best, and an ending satisfyingly credible. The actual twist of 'Life' isn't a twist at all, and goes a long way towards damaging the picture fatally.