Short Attention Span Review - Passengers (2016)

Short Attention Span Review - Passengers (2016)

Passengers is a movie about many things, but it is primarily concerned with our need for companionship.  On a journey through space that will last something like 120 years, Chris Pratt's character wakes up prematurely with 90 years left to go.  His pod cannot be repaired, so he cannot go back to sleep and join the thousands of passengers who are blissfully unaware of his troubles.  Will he spend the rest of his life alone?  This difficult question becomes even tougher to grapple with when he discovers the writings of Jennifer Lawrence's character and essentially falls for her--this while she sleeps peacefully in her pod and he grapples with the strain of isolation.  Like most great speculative features, the movie hinges on the strength of this question: what would you do?  It's a powerful question, and Passengers presents it with impressive clarity.  It subsequently does a fine job of showing these characters build a life together under such extraordinary circumstances--and then, of course, Lawrence's character finds out what happened, and the movie asks a second profound question: what would you do if someone else pulled you into such a situation?  There is more at stake in Passengers, there is something amiss about the vessel these characters inhabit, which is why one of the pods malfunctioned to begin with.  Before the movie ends, these characters will have to work together to save themselves and all the other passengers.  There will be excitement and suspense, and the drama will be heightened as they struggle with impossible odds.  All of this is handled well; Passengers is a great-looking feature, and the direction, effects, and score are all dynamic.  In the end, however, it all really boils down to those questions and the work of Pratt and Lawrence, who do a fantastic job of exploring the material and bringing this stirring journey to life.

Final Grade: A

Pratt and Lawrence are asked to do an awful lot in what is essentially a two-person show, and each proves more than capable.

Short Attention Span Review - The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I (2014)

The latest Hunger Games outing is a much different animal than it's action-packed predecessors.  Whereas the first two entries in this series were thrilling efforts boasting lots of violence, Mockingjay Part I is far more dramatic and favors political intrigue over archery and kooky wardrobes.  This may be difficult for many viewers to adjust to.  Honestly, this approach didn't necessarily excite me, but rich performances and an exciting plot make it palatable enough.  It does seem to be a bit of an appetizer that is designed to whet our appetite for Mockingjay Part II as opposed to existing as a satisfying entree in and of itself.  Yet there is a lot happening and I didn't find the movie to be padded or dull.  Jennifer Lawrence continues to shine in the starring role as the plucky heroine Katniss Everdeen, and her performance alone is enough to keep things interesting.  Several newcomers join the cast in this third entry in the series and none are more impressive than Julianne Moore as President Alma Coin.  Josh Hutcherson is incredible as Peeta, and his work with this tortured character looms large throughout the picture despite the fact that he is given precious little time on screen.  Liam Hemsworth continues to devote himself to a lackluster role, while Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman greatly enhance the picture in limited parts.  Perhaps the biggest surprise these movies have given us thus far is the master study in arrogance and villainy that Donald Sutherland is providing.  I greatly admire his work and President Snow is the richest and most imposing character that he has thrown his considerable talent behind in quite some time.  In the end, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I doesn't suffer all that much for substituting the opening gambits of a budding rebellion and a wealth of character development for bloody mayhem and colorful costumes.  The action may be infrequent, but the mood and atmosphere are charged and the plot is riveting.  It may not hit the bullseye, but it's close enough to be worthwhile and it does everything it can to set the stage for a stellar conclusion.  

Final Grade: B

You won't see Lawrence doing this much, but her acting chops on full display.