Review of Pandorum (2009) by Tom M — 14 Apr 2011

Based on the trailers, I was suspicious of "Pandorum". It looked like another in a long line of "Alien" wannabes; Big hulking grungy space ship, confused crew being picked-off by something stalking them in the dark that shouldn't be there, etc. And yeah, "Pandorum" is all of that. But upon actually seeing it, I was pleasantly surprised. It was better than I thought it would be.

Although it's part of a well-worn set-up, it actually tries hard to add some originality and is propped up by a good cast and excellent effects and production design. It's not much more than a cannibal-zombies in space story, but it plays it to the hilt and the story background does have some intriguing plot points and actual suspense.

Although there are a couple plot points left open (why and how was the Earth destroyed), I thought the main story arc does have a satisfying conclusion and a nice surprise.

Certainly worth seeing once, particularly if you like the "dark ship in space" genre, or are a connoisseur of excellent special effects work.