As a seasoned movie enthusiast with over three decades of cinematic exploration under my belt, I must confess that Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence have graced the silver screen with some truly captivating performances. However, when it comes to “Passengers”, their collaboration seems to have missed the mark for me, much like a spaceship veering off course.
Chris Pratt, who’s well-known for his roles in blockbusters like Jurassic World and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has had numerous hits under his belt – from his charming portrayal of Star Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy to his vocal talents in The Lego Movie, and more recently, The Super Mario Bros. Movie. However, this versatile actor also took on a project that sparked some debate among viewers – the 2016 sci-fi film Passengers, where he teamed up with Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence to deliver a performance that left some audiences feeling uneasy.
Despite the fact that Lawrence and Pratt are recognized for their exceptionally popular and even award-winning films, Passengers seems to miss out on this distinction for both of them. Directed by Morten Tyldum, who is also famous for his Oscar-worthy movies like The Imitation Game, the sci-fi romance received a disappointing 30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and garnered numerous negative reviews from critics and viewers alike. Nonetheless, Passengers can be streamed for free on Amazon’s ad-supported service, FreeVee, giving modern audiences the chance to decide for themselves whether the film truly deserves all the criticism it has received.
The movie Passengers narrates the journey of spaceship Avalon, a vessel from Earth embarking on a 120-year voyage to another planet. To endure the trip, the passengers and crew are kept in a state resembling sleep, waking up only upon arrival at their destination. However, when an asteroid strikes the ship and causes damage, one of the characters, Jim (played by Pratt), is awakened prematurely, with 90 years still left on the journey. After spending some time alone, Jim chooses to revive another passenger, Aurora (portrayed by Lawrence). In an attempt to conceal the reality, he misleads Aurora into thinking that the asteroid incident was responsible for their awakening. He continues this deception even as they develop romantic feelings for each other, a situation arising from being the only two humans awake aboard the ship.
The Controversy of Passengers, Explained
When Passengers first appeared, many viewers found it troubling that the movie was marketed as a sci-fi romance. The plot points seemed more horrifying than romantic in several instances. For instance, when Jim awakens Aurora, not only is this act deeply selfish because it means she will die before the Avalon reaches its destination, but he also deceives and manipulates her throughout most of the film. Essentially, he creates a romance based on lies. Although (spoiler alert) Aurora eventually discovers the truth, problems on the ship cause them to collaborate, leading Aurora to fall for Jim again.
In many reviews, it was pointed out that the dynamic between Aurora and Jim in the film “Passengers” is filled with gaslighting and manipulation, not to mention that they are trapped together on a spaceship with no escape. This combination of problematic Hollywood romance cliches, tainted by elements of rape culture, leaves a sour taste for most viewers. Even Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence have publicly expressed their dislike for the movie, further emphasizing its unappealing nature in the entertainment industry.
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2024-10-14 22:02