This extravagant science-fiction adventure strives for visual compulsion, but suffers from a blemished execution

Rating: 6/10 (19 April 2017)

Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt are easily some of the most likable actors in the Hollywood roster, so placing these two together in a fun cinematic adventure wouldn't be a bad idea. But a duo of charismatic entities and a eye-feasting visual style only have the muscle to make of half the equation for this science- fiction adventure. This movie, which introduces a thought-provoking idea supplemented with themes of moral dilemmas, has a fair sense of potential shining through its cracks. But what happens when your concept is plagued by a problematic execution that involves places a huge twist in the arguably the most inconvenient time? In other words, that is my way of explaining how the ethical dilemma that was greatly obscured in the advertising. So in an effort to discuss the highs and lows of this science-fiction piece, this review will require me to discuss some aspects that may contain spoilers. Set in the near-future, this film is set on a spaceship known as the Starship Avalon which carries thousands of passengers each in a hibernation chamber on a 120-year voyage to another planet. When a malfunction in the ship causes Jim (played by Chris Pratt) to wake up from his hibernation chamber 90 years early, he finds himself stranded alone on the ship with no one to talk to but an humanoid bartender (played by Michael Sheen). He is later joined by a hot blondie named Aurora (played by Jennifer Lawrence) who's sleep chamber is also deactivated. Together, the two form a bond that is greatly interrupted when the ship begins to malfunction.
The filmmaker behind this vehicle is Morten Tyldum, who last spawned the World War II thriller 'The Imitation Game'. This director proves to have a ingenuity in the visual department. The spaceship design is firmly original, and the visual effects which play a major role in the second half serve a nice treat for the eyes, while owing principles to entities like '2001: A Space Odyssey' and 'Interstellar'. While the film not only sets stone to an intriguing premise but also feeds clear evidence that director Tyldum has strong ambition for thoughtful ideas, his way of handling the cerebral concept leads a lot to be questioned. The story kicks off on a friendly start with Chris Pratt exploring the ship while struggling to figure out the solution behind his dilemma. These first minutes are executed with great effort to establish the thought-provoking nature of his character. But it's not long before the film makes the fatal decision of taking the cat out of the bag and reveal a shocking twist that unravels an morally depraved nature of Chris Pratt's character before the story even reaches its halfway point. In return, when the revelation is discovered by Jennifer Lawrence, the result lacks impact and therefore kills the element of surprise. Although the story handles his morally dubious act is an sympathetic manner regardless of whether or not viewers will commiserate his actions, it sadly falls shallow of surprises, especially when it inexplicably tosses the idea out the window in the final act. On the bright side, the film has its exciting moments, Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence share a sweet chemistry as well as some humorous moments that lighten the weight of the morbid premise. Michael Sheen on the other hand, is given little to do other than provide a stoic portrayal of a humanoid bartender who shares a few clever conversations with Pratt.
Passengers is flawed science-fiction extravaganza that spares some clever moments and thoughtful themes of morality, while undergoing a problematic execution. While there is no doubt Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt will the the major draw, the film stumbles in its potential to reel out a masterfully intriguing concept. Nonetheless, it can still make for a fun ride.