Pandorum
3/4
Starring: Ben Foster, Dennis Quaid, Antje Traue, Cam Gigandet
Rated R for Strong Horror Violence and Language
When discussing "Pandorum," one word comes to mind: grim. This is a seriously dark and bleak sci-fi horror movie, and that is it's best asset. Being completely alone in deep space has taken on a new meaning.
A man wakes up inside a technological cocoon for no apparent reason. He has no idea where he is or what he is doing there, and the only reason he remembers his name, Bower, is because it's posted on the door of the capsule he just stumbled out of. The spaceship he finds himself on is completely deserted. Other cocoons have been opened, but there's no one around. Hours later, another man named Payton (Quaid) wakes up and together they work to figure out what is going on. What starts out being a fight for their lives has turned into something much more desperate and precarious.
The best thing the film has going for it is its atmosphere. It's like a mixture of "Event Horizon" and "The Descent." Now, neither of those movies were particularly happy ("The Descent" especially so), but compared to "Pandorum," they're lightweight romantic comedies.
The acting is effective, but no one really stands out. Ben Foster, an amazing character actor who is primed to hit the A-list, proves he has the screen presence to become an action hero. Dennis Quaid, usually known for lighter material, is also effective as the commander who stays behind. Antje Traue makes for a good Ripley-clone as well. Unfortunately, Eddie Rouse is mildly annoying as Leland, the obligatory odd-duck survivor and Cam Gigandet is stretched beyond his limited range as Gallo, another survivor who may be suffering from the notorious Pandorum.
Speaking of the so-called Pandorum, this plot device (a rare syndrome in which space jumpers can lose their minds) is uniquely employed, but not effectively. The film tries to make us question who, if anyone, is actually suffering from Pandorum, and Alvart's attempts to make us mistrust everyone fall flat. The final scenes that deal with Pandorum are seriously confused. Also, with the constantly moving camera and abrupt jumps in camera angles, the film is sometimes disorienting (but not in a good way)
The ending is also curious. Although it does work, one has a right to expect something far different considering what came before (vague, I know, but I don't want to give anything away).
I liked "Pandorum," or should I say, "respected" it. It is scary, and there is some great action and gore. This is a science-fiction version of hell.
Starring: Ben Foster, Dennis Quaid, Antje Traue, Cam Gigandet
Rated R for Strong Horror Violence and Language
When discussing "Pandorum," one word comes to mind: grim. This is a seriously dark and bleak sci-fi horror movie, and that is it's best asset. Being completely alone in deep space has taken on a new meaning.
A man wakes up inside a technological cocoon for no apparent reason. He has no idea where he is or what he is doing there, and the only reason he remembers his name, Bower, is because it's posted on the door of the capsule he just stumbled out of. The spaceship he finds himself on is completely deserted. Other cocoons have been opened, but there's no one around. Hours later, another man named Payton (Quaid) wakes up and together they work to figure out what is going on. What starts out being a fight for their lives has turned into something much more desperate and precarious.
The best thing the film has going for it is its atmosphere. It's like a mixture of "Event Horizon" and "The Descent." Now, neither of those movies were particularly happy ("The Descent" especially so), but compared to "Pandorum," they're lightweight romantic comedies.
The acting is effective, but no one really stands out. Ben Foster, an amazing character actor who is primed to hit the A-list, proves he has the screen presence to become an action hero. Dennis Quaid, usually known for lighter material, is also effective as the commander who stays behind. Antje Traue makes for a good Ripley-clone as well. Unfortunately, Eddie Rouse is mildly annoying as Leland, the obligatory odd-duck survivor and Cam Gigandet is stretched beyond his limited range as Gallo, another survivor who may be suffering from the notorious Pandorum.
Speaking of the so-called Pandorum, this plot device (a rare syndrome in which space jumpers can lose their minds) is uniquely employed, but not effectively. The film tries to make us question who, if anyone, is actually suffering from Pandorum, and Alvart's attempts to make us mistrust everyone fall flat. The final scenes that deal with Pandorum are seriously confused. Also, with the constantly moving camera and abrupt jumps in camera angles, the film is sometimes disorienting (but not in a good way)
The ending is also curious. Although it does work, one has a right to expect something far different considering what came before (vague, I know, but I don't want to give anything away).
I liked "Pandorum," or should I say, "respected" it. It is scary, and there is some great action and gore. This is a science-fiction version of hell.
Since you like the film I think you might enjoy reading this. You might have missed plot point.
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