PANDORUM is the next film to continue the
trend of great sci-fi in 2009. First it was STAR TREK followed by DISTRICT 9
and now PANDORUM is finally here (after various release delays). It is
an intense sci-fi thriller that mines both sci-fi and horror for the maximum effect.
Pandorum refers to the paranoid psychosis
that a few people experience after being in hypersleep too long. PANDORUM begins
with a timeline about the world’s population growing and discovering a livable planet in the form of Tanis. A big ark ship is built called Elysium. Short into the
ship’s flight, Earth is destroyed and the ship’s crew is left with a message that they are what remain of humanity. Flash forward to a undetermined number of years later. Bower, part of one of the ship’s flight crews wakes up in his hypersleep chamber. He has no memory (a side effect of being in hypersleep for long times) and he starts to piece together
what is happening aboard the Elysium with the help of Lt. Payton. The ship’s
reactor is failing and that isn’t the only problem waiting Bower. Alien
creatures are using the ship as a hunting ground. These aliens are faster and
stronger than humans.
Alvart directs a moody sci-fi piece. The lighting helps amps the tension. The
production design is top notch. PANDORUM is the best cult sci-fi film since
PITCH BLACK. The one actor that stands out is Antje Traue as Nadia. PANDORUM has cult movie written all over it, but it should have an audience like ALIEN
and PITCH BLACK. See this movie now and see SURROGATES later.
This movie review is (c)9-25-2009 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. All Rights Reserved. Send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com
