"Passengers" is a film that compels the audience to make a considerable number of leaps in order to fully engage with its narrative. This sci-fi romance, although visually stunning and bolstered by strong performances from its lead actors, is built on a foundation riddled with numerous cracks.
The ship, designed to accommodate 5,000 passengers and 258 crew members, houses only a single AutoDoc facility-an exceedingly impractical design choice (other than a bad plot device).
Then there is an inconsistent representation of artificial gravity. As the ship's rotation (its source of gravity) slows, gravity is lost gradually, yet it returns instantaneously when the system is restored-a scenario that contradicts basic physics.
As a plot convenience the crew is in hibernation behind an impenetrable hatch. Conveniently one does get 'accidentally' revived later a deck chief (Gus). Where was his pod, not behind the locked hatch apparently.
Anyway, typically a Deck Chief would oversee the ship's various systems, coordinate the activities of the crew within his jurisdiction, and ensure the general safety and efficiency of operations. As Gus discovers he's about to die because of (reasons) they never think to awaken another crew member to help with the current crisis. This is the way, can't have a pesky competent crew member interfering with the intended drama.
Now, the ship's internal system, baffling in both design and operation, is another puzzling aspect of the film. Despite the advanced technology onboard, the system seems fully capable of recognizing multiple severe errors and how long it will take before the ship dies but it chooses not to awaken the necessary crew members? This flaw seems particularly egregious considering the voyage's duration and the sheer number of lives at stake.
Compounding these shortcomings, the ship lacks a contingency plan for reasonably foreseeable issues such as meteor strikes or system anomalies. I mean hell, my car's engine light comes on if the gas cap isn't closed properly.
Another plot convenience is the ship's inability to return passengers to a state of hibernation once awakened- clearly a narrative contrivance required to propel the story.
Worth noting, however, is the passengers' state for the journey is referred to as 'hibernation,' a physiological state of inactivity in animals, quite distinct from 'suspended animation' or 'cryogenics' commonly depicted in sci-fi narratives. You would grow older if you simply hibernated. Not sure why they didn't simply call it cryogenic sleep or suspended animation but frankly with all the other technical issues this is trivial.
Similarly baffling are the personal decisions of the characters. Opting not to have children during their many decades alone, or Aurora's self-deprecation about her work despite available communication channels, are incongruities that add to the list of narrative inconsistencies. Hell, after discovering the AutoDoc can put you into suspended animation (why there could only be one) they could have just alternated times awake thus significantly reducing their aging at minimum by 33% (one month awake, one together, one hibernating).
Another significant plot hole revolves around the ship's inconsistent access system. Jim Preston enjoys elaborate meals and activities, despite the same identification preventing him from indulging in simple luxuries like premium coffee. This discrepancy suggests a flawed design or perhaps a missing scene explaining a system hack.
"Passengers" presents an intriguing concept but challenges the audience with a multitude of logical inconsistencies and plot holes. While it offers a visually appealing journey exploring complex themes of isolation, love, and morality, this journey is marred by a series of questionable design and narrative choices that undercut the film's overall impact.
Awarding +3 stars for the visual effects and deducting -7 for the story.
The ship, designed to accommodate 5,000 passengers and 258 crew members, houses only a single AutoDoc facility-an exceedingly impractical design choice (other than a bad plot device).
Then there is an inconsistent representation of artificial gravity. As the ship's rotation (its source of gravity) slows, gravity is lost gradually, yet it returns instantaneously when the system is restored-a scenario that contradicts basic physics.
As a plot convenience the crew is in hibernation behind an impenetrable hatch. Conveniently one does get 'accidentally' revived later a deck chief (Gus). Where was his pod, not behind the locked hatch apparently.
Anyway, typically a Deck Chief would oversee the ship's various systems, coordinate the activities of the crew within his jurisdiction, and ensure the general safety and efficiency of operations. As Gus discovers he's about to die because of (reasons) they never think to awaken another crew member to help with the current crisis. This is the way, can't have a pesky competent crew member interfering with the intended drama.
Now, the ship's internal system, baffling in both design and operation, is another puzzling aspect of the film. Despite the advanced technology onboard, the system seems fully capable of recognizing multiple severe errors and how long it will take before the ship dies but it chooses not to awaken the necessary crew members? This flaw seems particularly egregious considering the voyage's duration and the sheer number of lives at stake.
Compounding these shortcomings, the ship lacks a contingency plan for reasonably foreseeable issues such as meteor strikes or system anomalies. I mean hell, my car's engine light comes on if the gas cap isn't closed properly.
Another plot convenience is the ship's inability to return passengers to a state of hibernation once awakened- clearly a narrative contrivance required to propel the story.
Worth noting, however, is the passengers' state for the journey is referred to as 'hibernation,' a physiological state of inactivity in animals, quite distinct from 'suspended animation' or 'cryogenics' commonly depicted in sci-fi narratives. You would grow older if you simply hibernated. Not sure why they didn't simply call it cryogenic sleep or suspended animation but frankly with all the other technical issues this is trivial.
Similarly baffling are the personal decisions of the characters. Opting not to have children during their many decades alone, or Aurora's self-deprecation about her work despite available communication channels, are incongruities that add to the list of narrative inconsistencies. Hell, after discovering the AutoDoc can put you into suspended animation (why there could only be one) they could have just alternated times awake thus significantly reducing their aging at minimum by 33% (one month awake, one together, one hibernating).
Another significant plot hole revolves around the ship's inconsistent access system. Jim Preston enjoys elaborate meals and activities, despite the same identification preventing him from indulging in simple luxuries like premium coffee. This discrepancy suggests a flawed design or perhaps a missing scene explaining a system hack.
"Passengers" presents an intriguing concept but challenges the audience with a multitude of logical inconsistencies and plot holes. While it offers a visually appealing journey exploring complex themes of isolation, love, and morality, this journey is marred by a series of questionable design and narrative choices that undercut the film's overall impact.
Awarding +3 stars for the visual effects and deducting -7 for the story.