Monday, January 9, 2017

Movie Review … Passengers


The fun in science fiction films is guessing if the predicted future will happen.  While previous entries have failed miserably – no flying cars by 2015 as shown in ‘Back to the Future 2’ – others have come remarkably close.  That adds a layer of enjoyment in any movie in this genre having unlimited story scope.  ‘Passengers’ picks up on this with a futuristic tale typically loaded with dazzling CGI.  More substantial than most, it bravely makes its own predictions of a future current viewers will likely never appreciate.

Thousands of colonists are on the starship, Avalon, journeying towards a new planet.  Taking 120 years to reach its destination, its inhabitants are placed in suspended hibernation until its completion.  One of the passengers, Jim Preston (Chris Pratt), is mysteriously woken 90 years too early.  After some time wandering the ship alone, he meets Aurora (Jennifer Lawrence), also woken from sleep. Aurora joins Jim in searching for answers as they grapple with the loneliness deep space offers.

‘Passengers’ is an odd concoction of styles.  Whilst the performances of Pratt and Lawrence are first rate with some incredible CGI, the story’s main focus leaves a lot to be desired.  To say anymore would be unfair, although it alters your perception of events.  This makes for uncomfortable viewing in a film slowly sinking in a quagmire of story styles.  Not knowing if it’s a thriller, romance, drama or comedy, the mix of genre staples never fully gels.

What it lacks in focus, it almost makes up for with its leads.  ‘Passengers’ thrives on the acting skills of Pratt and Lawrence who give it their all. Their character’s actions are easily understood as they are grounded in believability.  Although sounding absurd in a sci-fi film set centuries in the future, viewers would never be able to invest in such a fanciful tale if not for the strength of performances.  The sense of isolation and loneliness is keenly felt via their roles with plenty of opportunities for the leads to fully shine.

Despite its pacing and script issues, ‘Passengers’ captivates until its final frame.  It’s a thought-provoking piece on the nature of love and overcoming emotional hardships.  It may not be remembered like other sci-fi films but ‘Passengers’ offers some intriguing glimpses of a future our descendants may endure.
 


Movie Review Rating out of 10:  6

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

Agree with Patrick's Movie Review? Then please use the comment box.

Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.


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Movie Review … Assassin’s Creed

Video games have been popular for decades.  Those of the ‘older generation’ will recall many happy hours playing ‘Space Invaders’, ‘Pacman’ and others.  The years since have seen a smorgasbord of gaming to delight new fans with ‘Assassin’s Creed’ being among the most desired.  The ratio of game to screen outings hasn’t been good although audiences always live in hope that the next entry will be worth watching.  Sadly the movie version of ‘Assassin’s Creed’ is as poor as so many previous attempts as it goes through digitally enhanced motions.

Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) is a criminal awaiting execution.  On the eve of his fateful moment, he is taken off death row by Abstergo Industries.  A new incarnation of an ancient order of Templars, its chief scientist, Sophia (Marion Cottilard) connects Callum to a machine transporting him to a former life as an Assassin.  In his new reality, he must search and find the Apple of Eden, an object used to end earth’s seedy corruption.  Battling an armada of those opposed to assassins wanting the prized entity, Callum’s skills are tested in a world where reality and fantasy are blurred.

‘Assassin’s Creed’ is a murky mixed bag.  High in excitement in its energetic action sequences, it falters in between set pieces.  The scenes set in the ‘real world’ make little sense with the ancient world of the assassin’s more involving.  Unfortunately the film focusses more on the present than the past.  Although it gives needed story exposition, the everyday scenes decrease the script’s pace.  Justin Kurzel gamely attempts to infuse excitement in the narrative despite his unfocussed direction.

The best sections of ‘Assassin’s Creed’ are the acting and CGI.  Without both the film would have been worse.  Fassbender and Cottilard give stronger performances than the screenplay deserves.  Their tortured characters add gravitas to the increasingly silly carry-on.  Their convictive renditions of often mirthful lines add some punch to the action and special effects which are first rate.  As with other similar movies, ‘Assassin’s Creed’ focusses on the surface elements rather than the crucial one of a comprehensible plot.

‘Assassin’s Creed’s failure is more disappointing given its potential.  The wrong type of story was chosen to convey the game’s strengths to screen.  It still has entertaining moments although it may be better to play the game it’s based on for more genuine thrills.




Movie Review Rating out of 10:  5

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

Agree with Patrick's Movie Review? Then please use the comment box.

Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.



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