Review of Cargo (2009) by Henrik S — 21 May 2012

A solid and virtually unknown sci-fi thriller that can hold its own with films coming from the big H and even surpasses many shallow action flicks both in scope and storytelling. The films draws a long arc from an eerie space-hulk thriller to a nigh-surreal vision of a dystopian future. Unfortunately, as interesting as the ponderings on the fate of mankind get towards the end of the film, it also loses its velocity and focus, so artfully created in the first two thirds through the minimalist set design and horror, not unlike Alien.

The downfall of the film is that is loses its edge in the forced attempt to put a heavy coating of icing on the cake, covering what was a solid basis in the first place.

Yet, apart from that, the only fault I can find with this film are technicalities, such as the abyssmal acting on the female lead and a script that is but funcitonal in conveying the necessary information but lacks any form of verve or added characterisation. Hence, the film does create a story that comes to live within a setting that serves as a mere backdrop instead of world that appears real enough to actually give birth to such a scenario.

All in all, this is a hidden gem for fans of the genre and solid sci-fi entertainment as a whole, if you can forgive some of the acting efforts and the ending.