Passengers (2016)
(http://i.imgur.com/SW1TShG.gif)
Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BWWWQzTpNU
Passengers is kind of a tricky movie to like, hate and review. The spectacle of the movie itself was exhilarating to watch from start to finish and it succeeded in that respect. But for me, it's all about characters and we are meant to like, root and cheer for Chris Pratt's character because he is the "hero" of the flick. But really, how can anyone get behind the selfish actions of a man that purposely condemns another person to a life of misery, knowing they are trapped on board a spaceship with no way to be rescued and saved? Yes, I get the Pratt has been roaming around the ship for a year with no other human contact and that the allure of Jennifer Lawrence's character would make any sane person crack under the immense pressure to connect with someone else. I get it. But still doesn't erase that what he does and the ensuing romance that follows as incredibly creepy.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, as I predicted, somehow....someway Pratt would find a solution to save her and right his wrongs. But still....he made that choice and that is a bell you can't un-ring. As for the rest of the movie, I really liked it. It was a nice surprise to see Laurence Fishburne drop in for a bit as the Ship's Captain. The movie comes down the 3rd Act. Biggest mystery is what is causing the ship to act as it has been doing and how will Pratt and Lawrence repair the ship and save the rest of the passengers on board. It's great escapism moving making once you get past the creep factor at the start. Definitely worth a Rent. And one last thing, Andy Garcia's walk on cameo at the end was both odd and weird. To have a big name actor like him just 'walk through the door' and leave it at that is baffling to say the least.
Still haven't seen it. I read the old script before the flick came out and I quite liked it, though I have no idea what all they changed, because I know it's been in development for a while. Keanu was attached at one point.
In regard to the story issue, there's an interesting video going about suggesting that Aurora should be the main focus, and how you could rearrange the movie to fit her. I wouldn't mind seeing the movie recut to be like this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gksxu-yeWcU
I have to say, of all the talk about the movie, my faovurite comment was before the movie even came out, pointing out how similar this is to Red Dwarf:
https://vimeo.com/183501288
When I first heard of the project, I immediately thought "Red Dwarf," so much so that I never would have had the guts to write the thing because it would be so similar. And that was before Chris Pratt was attached, and I realized he's totally the American Lister.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAxXexILiy8