NEW RELEASE! | ‘Passengers’ Film Review
‘Passengers’ is a futuristic Science Fiction movie featuring slick special effects and a small yet highly talented cast in Chris Pratt (‘Guardians of the Galaxy’) and Jennifer Lawrence (‘The Hunger Games’).
The film is set on the star ship Avalon - a mass transporter with features much like a cruise ship. The destination is Homestead II, and all passengers and the entire crew are in a dormant state, safely ensconced in hibernation pods for the lengthy journey.
Due to a mechanical malfunction one passenger, Jim Preston (Pratt) is awoken ninety years prematurely. As Preston attempts to solve the mystery of the malfunction, we are introduced to the android barman, Arthur (Michael Sheen) and fellow passenger Aurora Lane (Jennifer Lawrence).
The fact that ‘Passengers’ holds such a small cast means the casting process was crucial to the film’s success: find actors who are adaptable, versatile and highly rated in Hollywood, and you can’t go wrong.
Initially, Pratt is the sole focus of the film, and handles the spotlight well. He is believable as a unwitting and lonely character isolated from human contact in the middle of space. Lawrence provides the perfect foil as Aurora, complementing and contrasting the insecurities Preston. The two have an undeniable onscreen chemistry, and make for an attractive fictional couple.
Sheen as the android barman brings a quirky mix of almost-human qualities and provides a vital extra character for Pratt and Lawrence to banter with.
Director Morten Tyldum has delivered a polished work of science fiction with numerous cinematic references to many science fiction movies: ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ being the most prolific example.
The idea of space travel to another planet in a cruise ship setting was similarly portrayed in the 2008 Disney film ‘WALL-E’; more than a few comparisons can be drawn between the two movies.
Similar settings aside, Tyldum successfully explores the loneliness, frustration and probable abandonment felt by Preston as the story unfolds. There is a sense of mystery surrounding the circumstances of the malfunction, the thrilling space scenery and development of the relationship between Preston and Lane.
Interestingly, the original casting choices for these central roles were Keanu Reeves and Reese Witherspoon; this is very difficult to imagine as Pratt and Lawrence ably make the characters their own from the get-go, their chemistry consistently natural in every scene.
While there are some storyline issues, watching the film with lower will leave viewers highly satisfied and impressed by the final result.
With its minimal yet strong casting, convincing special effects, an intriguing storyline and a visually stunning set, ‘Passengers’ is an enjoyable piece of escapism providing a glimpse into the possibility of space travel sometime in the distant future.
'Passengers' is available to own on DVD/BluRay in the US on 14th March, Australia on 12th April, and the UK 8th May 2017.
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