Page 6 O I ■ The Clarion I Oct. 9,200!
Arts & Lire
Film Review; Sci-fi pandemonium feels eerily familiar
by Zachary Drucker
Sagebrush
U-Wire Content
Blending elements of countless science
tiction tilms that preceded it, “Pandoram”
creates a creepy atmosphere, but eventually
gets lost in the pandemonium caused by its
plot’s intricacy.
Directed by Christian Alvart (“Case
39”), “Pandoram” is set in 2174, when
Earth no longer exists. Our species’ sur
vival now rests in the spaceship Elysium’s
successful journey to a planet capable of
sustaining human life. Two crew mem
bers, Cpl. Bower (Ben Foster, “30 Days
of Nighf’) and Lt. Payton (Dennis Quaid,
“G.I. Joe”), have just awoken from a cryo
genic freeze and have no recollection of
where they are or what their mission is.
The two must work together to figure out
where the 60,000 others onboard have gone
and what their purpose on the Elysium is
before the evil that lurks in the darkness of
the ship finds them.
This may be a stupid question, but have
all hopes for originality in the sci-fi genre
been lost? This weekend alone we get “Pan-
dorum,” a version of Pixar’s “WALL-E”
that has been molested by Ridley Scott’s
“Ahen,” as well as Brace Willis’ “Surro
gates,” which is a white man’s “I, Robot”
mixed with a Spielberg-less “Minority
Report.” Add in the disappointment that
was “9” two weeks ago and it definitely
appears that this is the case.
Originality aside, “Pandoram” is hardly
a bad movie. Alvart does a solid job of
creating a dark and tense atmosphere that
makes the 1997 sci-fi horror film “Event
Horizon” so horrifying. Also like “Event
Horizon,” “Pandoram” plays off the idea
of space paranoia and the graesome acts,
of which it makes the ship’s crewmembers
capable. Taking things one step further,
though, Alvart throws in a few gnarly look
ing beasties that look eerily famihar to the
creatures from 2006’s “The Descent.”
By mixing the strange alien creatures
with the plot of paranoia and the idea that
no one can be trasted, along with not know
ing what the hell is going on, “Pandoram”
becomes one big, jumbled, yet consistently
chilling, mess. Oh, I almost forgot to men
tion that random renegade martial arts
warriors who look like extras from “Mad
Max” (Did you honestly think the movie
name-dropping was over?) are thrown
into the already overwhelming scenario to
add a few more visual thrills to the action
sequences.
Known for his over-the-top supporting
roles, Foster does a commendable job in
the lead role. While his dialogue may be
light, his intensity and commanding aura
carry the film well. Quaid, on the other
hand, does little with his short role and even
when the big twist comes, his chance to
shine comes off as lackluster as a B-movie
performance.
When the final 20 minutes arrive, the
film does kick into high gear and delivers
more revelations than “The Departed.”
(That was the last one, I swear). Satisfy
ing as the conclusion may be, many will
find it difficult to be satisfied by a film so
convoluted and unoriginal that it makes the
“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”
(Sorry, I hed) screenplay appear simple.
Tird of owr typoes? Bored
with the article content?
Generally dissatisfied with
the school newspaper?
Share your two cents
with us and come join
the staff of The Clarion!
We are currently looking
for students who want to
contribute articles, help
copy edit or just help in
general with the produc
tion of the paper! Please
contact Dr. John Padgett
for more information
about the newspaper.
The Clarion
Senior Staff
Editor in Chief:
Travis Wireback l^lanaging Editor:
Jolin Climer
News Editor:
Open
Copy Editor:
Open
Business Editor:
Open
Layout & Design:
Travis Wirebacit
Opinion Editor:
Open
Photo Editor:
l^arc Newton
Arts & Life Editor:
Open
Business I'lanager:
Emily Clarl
Sports Editor:
Open
Faculty Advisor:
Jolin B. Padgett
Other Staff
Karam Boeshaar
Nina Willis Thomas Lide
Dabney Farmer
Anne Bobs Christopher Shirey
Richard Bush
Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of the staff of The Clarion. Other opinions expressed on this page are
those of respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty, staff or administration of Brevard
College.
E] Letters Policy
The Clarion welcomes letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and content. All letters
intended for publication must be signed.
All correspondence should be mailed to:
The Clarion, Brevard College, One Brevard College Drive, Brevard, NC 28712