Passengers

Leave it to astronomers and physicists to poke holes in the calculations of time and space in Passengers. The rest of us can just dissect its faults on a narrative level.

After a promising takeoff, this science-fiction romance derails its intriguing futuristic premise about intergalactic travel with an abundance of cheesy melodrama in its second half. There are no aliens to be found, but considering the recent string of successful sci-fi adventures involving humans, this one simply becomes lost in space.

It takes place aboard the Starship Avalon, which is transporting more than 5,000 passengers and crew members to a new life on an upscale corporate colony in outer space. The journey takes 120 years, so they’re all supposed to be essentially frozen for the entire journey.

However, when Jim (Chris Pratt) awakens from his malfunctioning sleep chamber, he discovers that he’s by himself — save for a cyborg bartender (Michael Sheen) — with 90 years still to travel. After taking advantage of some of the ritzy amenities on board, he becomes desperate, finding companionship with fellow passenger Aurora (Jennifer Lawrence) while trying to avoid certain death while sailing through the cosmos. Can they go back to sleep? What’s wrong with the ship? Who’s in charge? How do they communicate with the outside world?

Pratt manages to showcase his versatility in a role that requires him to frequently act by himself in the first half of the film. A fundamental what-if generates sympathy for his character, and the screenplay by Jon Spaihts (The Darkest Hour) appropriately ponders his solo escapades with both serious and lighthearted results.

Under the stylish direction of Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game), the film conveys a unique vision both for the visual interiors of the spaceship — which resembles a new-age luxury cruise liner — and, to a lesser extent, for the purpose of its voyage.

Even the moral dilemma involving Aurora is plausible until we realize that it’s simply a plot device rather than any kind of meaningful exploration of human behavior. And indeed, the film slides downhill quickly from there, with the inevitable reveal coinciding with a series of woefully tacked-on action set pieces.

Passengers might have never intended to be anything more than a slick and brainless popcorn movie, but the lack of execution upon its fascinating concept renders the result more frustrating than fun.

Rated PG-13, 116 minutes.