A Poor Caricature of Science-Fiction

Rating: 4/10 (8 November 2017)

Passengers fundamentally failure is it seems to bear no attempt to intrigue, interest or engage its audience. Just like Jim (Chris Pratt) and Aurora (Jennifer Lawrence) we are trapped aboard the Starship Avalon in a never-ending circuit of time and space. However, they are aware that death is waiting for them. Watching these film makes one wish for death.
The main issue lies within the setting; Avalon is seemingly influenced by early iPods. It is white and pristine, yet offers very little in terms of personality. Almost like an iPod fresh out of a box, no music or memories and therefore no character or depth. The narrative is tied to the ship and as such it should serve as a tertiary character. But it does not, rather is serves as a characterisation of the film in its lack of distinctive features.
Narratively Passengers offers a conundrum. It desperately wants us to like Jim, it wants us to buy into him as another extension of brand Pratt - a lovable doofus with human intentions. However, he comes across as slimy and creepy. Whereas Aurora's character is in the most simple terms annoying. The film insists on reminding us every 5 minutes that she is a writer, just in case we forget. Her role in the film is to fall in and out of love with Jim. Beyond that, she lacks depth.
A more interesting premise would be if the film was shot from the perspective of Aurora. Therefore Jim's character would be represented as more nefarious. The story lacks a big central dilemma that actually engages the audience. We are meant to root for our heroes to find a way to fix the ship, but I spent a good portion of the filming hoping for critical engine failure.
If you are looking for a fun space romp with a likable front man look elsewhere. Buy Chris Pratt's Guardians of the Galaxy Lego figure and trap him in an egg box for 2 hours.