rated PG-13
released 12-21-2016, 116 minutes, Columbia Pictures
directed: Morten Tyldum
written: Jon Spaihts
starring: Chris Pratt, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Sheen, Laurence Fishburne
Passengers has gotten a bum rap from critics who are caught up in Star Wars mania. This is a good film with likable characters that are set in a tough situation. It is easy to put yourself in their position and empathize with them, and let yourself disappear into the story. There are only 4 characters in the main story, and one of them doesn't show up till late in the movie (Laurence Fishburn). SO, the success of the film hinges on the believability and likeability of those three actors. For me it was a success, and a movie I would like to see again, which is a pretty good measure of a movie.
This film is set in space but it is mostly a small film, with almost everything taking place inside the ship. The grand concourse of the ship reminds me of current day cruise ships with luxury everywhere and shops and open areas within a bubble that is the ship. At its hearts, this film is a moral tale and a love story. Jim Preston (Chris Pratt) is faced with the dilemma of living alone in space for the entirety of his life, or selecting a passenger to share that time with him. By making that choice, as you see in the previews, he condemns Aurora Lane (Jennifer Lawrence) to the same fate. Neither of them will live to see the ship reach its destination in 88 years.
One thing I both liked and disliked about the film was the way they portrayed the science. Some things they got so right, and it comes as a shock that radio waves will take 30 plus years round trip, so communication with earth is a waste of effort. But then while in weightlessness we see tears roll down cheeks, which would not happen. All in all, though, they get enough right to make this a worthy contender for you entertainment dollar. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.