Pandorum is a 2009 science fiction horror film that follows the story of two crew members of a spaceship who wake up from hyper sleep to discover that all their colleagues are missing.
The film is set in space and has a fast-paced, B-movie style that throws out various theories about what has happened to the missing crew members. It is often compared to the influential horror classic Alien, with its focus on practical effects, suspense, and the exploration of the darker aspects of human nature.
Pandorum stars Ben Foster and Dennis Quaid and was directed by Christian Alvart, a German filmmaker known for his work in the serial killer genre. The movie has been described as a “midnight movie in the guise of a big-budget special effects thrill ride” that offers a unique and unsettling take on the horror-in-space genre.
Review by Ben Dover:
Well, stick me in a hyper sleep chamber and call me Ripley! Just when I thought space horror couldn’t get any more claustrophobic, along comes “Pandorum” to prove that in space, not only can no one hear you scream, they can’t hear you scratching your head in confusion either.
Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster star as two spacemen who wake up from hyper sleep with a worse case of brain fog than me after my afternoon nap. They’re on a ship big enough to house the population of Earth, yet it feels more cramped than my first apartment. Go figure.
The plot? It’s darker and more twisty than a rat’s intestines. Our amnesiac heroes stumble around in the dark, trying to figure out where they are, why they’re there, and who forgot to pay the electric bill. Meanwhile, they’re being hunted by what looks like the result of a three-way between Gollum, a xenomorph, and a pro wrestler.
Foster spends most of the movie sweating more than a snowman in July, while Quaid growls and scowls his way through his scenes like he’s constipated. The tension builds slower than my arthritic joints in winter, but when it hits, it hits harder than my ex-wife’s lawyer.
The set design is impressive, I’ll give ’em that. The ship looks like what would happen if H.R. Giger designed a haunted house. It’s all grimy corridors and creepy shadows, with more pipes than a organ factory. You half expect the Nostromo crew to pop around the corner at any moment.
The action, when it comes, is a frantic mess of shaky cam and quick cuts. It’s like trying to watch a kung fu fight in a strobe light after downing a bottle of Jack. But hey, at least it keeps you on your toes… if you can see what’s going on.
Now, let’s talk about those plot twists. Without spoiling anything, let’s just say this flick takes more turns than a politician’s promise. By the end, you’ll either be slack-jawed in awe or scratching your head so hard you’ll need a toupee.
Is “Pandorum” a masterpiece? Nah. Is it good sci-fi horror? Yeah, actually. It’s got more atmosphere than Mars and enough existential dread to make Jean-Paul Sartre reach for the Xanax. It’s the kind of movie that’ll have you checking under your bed for space mutants… and maybe questioning your own sanity a bit.
So, if you like your sci-fi with a heavy dose of “what the hell is going on?” and don’t mind feeling like you need a shower after watching, give “Pandorum” a spin. Just maybe keep the lights on. And a therapist on speed dial.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go reassure myself that my basement isn’t actually a spaceship and those noises are just the pipes. Probably.
Notes:
Gross worldwide:
$20,648,328
Budget
$33,000,000 (estimated)
Runtime: 1hour 48 minutes
Waking up in this world seems horrific.
Ben Foster insisted on eating live insects instead of using special F/X or dead ones
‘Pandorum’ is the first film in a proposed trilogy, but it is doubtful the sequels will ever see the light of day due to the first film’s low box-office performance.
The ships name is Elysium though the story shares nothing with 2013’s Elysium movie. The name ‘Elysium’, means a place or state of perfect happiness.
Pandorum supposedly refers to Orbital Dysfunctional Syndrome. It is a psychotic break which takes place amongst ship’s captains when they become convinced a mission is cursed, essentially a descent into madness brought on by the pressures of life in space impinging on an individual’s sense of paranoia. This is a completely fictional condition.
Quotes:
Bower: It’s safe to wake up now.
Payton: I can’t remember any of my life before this flight began.
Critics Consensus:
Critics 29% Audience 49% Rotten Tomatoes
Despite some mixed reviews, Pandorum has developed a cult following among fans of science fiction and horror films set in the vastness of space. Its blend of practical effects, suspenseful atmosphere, and exploration of the darker aspects of human nature make it a standout entry in the genre…
Trailer:
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