"Passengers" makes the trip with two big stars but too little sci-fi.
The science fiction/romance "Passengers" booked a lot of talent for its journey. This tale about the 120-year trek to a new planet has megastars Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt along for the ride, not to mention Oscar-nominated director Morten Tyldum at the helm. Unfortunately, screenwriter Jon Spaights should've packed more complexities into his script. The film has its charms of course - breezy chemistry between its stars, A+ production values, and a redemptive ending that will leave audiences smiling. But the voyage needed more depth in its exploration of space travel and mankind's frailties. One wishes the script had more Serling, Bradbury or Roddenberry in it, instead of all the clichéd romantic comedy tropes. "Passengers" sets out for a pie in the sky adventure, but it's more like a cute date movie. It takes flight, but it never quite soars.