Passengers (2016) #Review #ScienceFiction #JenniferLawrence #ChrisPratt

On By R&R Book ToursIn Movie Reviews, Science Fiction

Movie Review

Passengers- Jennifer Lawrence- Chris Pratt- Re

Imagine being stranded on a remote island, destined to spend the rest of your life alone…

Now, imagine you could choose to have someone there with you, but you would be dooming them to the same fate. What would you choose?

Take away all of the movie magic, and that is ultimately the theme of Passengers. The moral and ethical conundrum Chris Pratt’s character must face and the consequences of his choice.

Passengers (2016)

A spacecraft traveling to a distant colony planet and transporting thousands of people has a malfunction in its sleep chambers. As a result, two passengers are awakened 90 years early.

Starring:  Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, and Michael Sheen

Director: Morten Tyldum

Rating/ Runtime: PG13- 1hr 56

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Movie Trailer

My Thoughts…

Just before the theatrical release, I was so excited to see this movie. Then the early reviews started trickling in and they weren’t good. My excitement waned and Passengers was deemed a box office flop. I try not to take reviews too seriously, (yes I realize the irony) because there are so many variables to consider. What one person likes, another can hate. Because of that, I will still watch a “flop” if it something that I’m interested in seeing.

After watching Passengers last night, I’ve now come to the realization that some viewers may have missed the point of this film. Perhaps, they were expecting non-stop action, or surprise alien attacks. Who knows? If that was the case, then I can see why it bombed. Passengers is not one of those kinds of movies. It’s a character driven film created not just for entertainment, but also to make viewers think. Ask themselves difficult questions. And in that, I consider this movie a success.

As I mentioned, this movie relies heavily on the actors’ ability to create excitement, tension, fear, empathy, etc… I feel that Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt did a respectable job and I thought their chemistry on-screen was fantastic and I enjoyed watching them. It also doesn’t hurt that they are easy on the eyes.

Speaking of eye candy, this is a futuristic, space travel film too. As expected, the SFX were stellar and I loved the ship! You’ll see what I mean. There is one particular scene where Jennifer’s character is in the ultimate infinity pool and something happens to the ship’s gravity. Absolutely breath-taking!

I would encourage you to give Passengers a chance, with the understanding that the pace is slower than you would expect and it is not a Ridley Scott film. This one is all about the characters folks!

Rating…C+ to B (yeah, no letters in between but you get it 😉

 

IMDb

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19 thoughts on “Passengers (2016) #Review #ScienceFiction #JenniferLawrence #ChrisPratt”

  1. Anonymous

    C+ to a B? I would give it a solid B and would like to mention that Michael Sheen was great. Lookit, in a movie dominated by 3 characters (Laurence Fishburne makes a short/critical appearance as the 4th) you depend on those 3 to bring their A game and I feel like they did.

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    1. Absolutely! I agree with you 100% It’s a shame the critics trashed it so badly that people won’t watch it. Ultimately, I think movie lovers (especially sci-fi) will watch it and everyone else will miss out.

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  2. I was also very excited when I saw the trailer for this film (it appears to be a sci-fi romance and it’s not often you see those brought to screen) and then I got disappointed when the bad reviews rolled in… but your review has encouraged me to give it a chance anyway. I like character-driven stories and sci-fis that make you think so maybe I will enjoy it!

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    1. I thought since there was only one pod that could have been used for hibernation, that it would have been cool if their child after reaching adulthood, went to sleep and made it to Homestead.

      Then my husband pointed out, “They could have twins. Then what?” Lol

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  6. I ignored the reviews and went anyway when it was in theatrical release. Glad I did because, like you, I thought it was a lot of fun with likeable characters. Shame some people who probably would enjoy the film are being put off by what I think are unfair unfavourable reviews. Yes, it’s not 2001 or Aliens, but it’s an enjoyable ride.

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