PANDORUM - A HIDDEN SCI-FI GEM
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- Опубліковано 19 чер 2021
- For this Hidden Gem we depart the usual space operas and action adventures for some sci-fi horror in the underrated, Pandorum.
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To clarify: I don't use the term "B-Movie" in a derogatory way. It's related to the genre more than anything.
Long winded explanation here: The terms "A-Movie" and "B-Movie" comes from the 40s/50s in which Hollywood studios would sell movies to cinemas in bulk. They would often sell an A-Movie - starring well known actors, usually a swooning melodrama - with a B-Movie - cheaper films, no stars, usually sci-fi or horror etc. While there was some snobbery around this distinction, there was nothing which made either type of movie inherently better or worse.
These days, obviously that distinction doesn't exist as much with the biggest movies around being Superhero/sci-fi/fantasy blockbusters. Which is why I think movies like Pandorum, Overlord, Upgrade etc feel like "B-Movies" by tradition. They don't have huge budgets and can't afford stars so these films are often driven by the charisma of the actors, strength of the filmmaking and creativity of the premise.
I thought that was implicit in the video, but a few people seem to think I'm using "B-Movie" as a negative. I hope my long winded explanation makes sense 😅
+1¹
I remember reading some film critic opining on the idea that this distinction doesn't mean that much any more back in the 70s after the then astronomical sum of $40 million was spent making that version of King Kong.
I am pretty sure that was more than was spent on serious prestigious dramas like The Godfather and Porklips Now, also released around then.
Don't worry, Sci Fi fans are use to our favorites being called B movies.
I think it was a missed chance not having "30 Days of Night" on the B-movie list. It checks off so many of the things you want in a B-movie. It has an awesome premise I'm surprised wasn't utilized by Hollywood eaied, you got the small group of survivors facing long odds, formidable villains with an intriguing leader and just enough of a hint of a backstory to them, great creepy vibes throughout, and of course spectacular deaths. There are some standout characters too; in this case Ben Foster's drifter scouting ahead kind of steals the show. The scene of him hiking through the ice fields with the giant ship in the background is a fantastic, evocative image.
I cannot say enough about "30 Days of Night" being one of the best B-movies of the 21st century.
Sorry, you can clarify whatever you want, but in no way Pandorum can be calssified as "B-movie", for the making, the cast, scenarios and so on
I love Pandorum. Have watched many times. Event Horizon energy.
Paul W.S. Anderson was involved in both, in fact Pandorum is actually closer to his original vision of Event Horizon than the latter ended up being. At some point EH got changed from Aliens being the dark forces to a vague "hellish" presence.
I like both in their own way. Horizon has an excellent opening hour but the payoff is a little meh, while Pandorum dosen't have quite as good a set design or cast etc.
@@DouglasEdward84 At some point I got into the habit of comparing Event Horizon to Disney's The Black Hole. The key difference of course being that the Disney film was much scarier, and this is not a dig at Event Horizon. Black Hole went from zero to a thousand really damn quick given that it's a puppet movie from the people who brought you Steamboat Willie.
Event horizon was another good Film.
@@DouglasEdward84 if you like Event Horizon and Pandorum, i gave you a tip:
Look for the ep of the Netflix anthology Love+Death+Robots called Beyond the Aquila Rift. You can thank me later.
@@efxnews4776 thanks bud. I'll check it out tomorrow probably if I have time. These two films have always been favourites of mine.
I love sci-fi and horror/thriller genres. When they come together it's pure bliss.
I liked the idea thats presented where the Antagonist thinks the ship malfunctioned and drifted through space for a eternity and that they had woken up at a point in the far future where most of the stars are dead and theres only the dark. No hope of leaving the ship.
exactly what i thought.. a total..OMG..moment!
@@Alienalloy kinda want to use this concept in one of my own stories. Imagine a sleeper ship lost in space its computer failing to ever wake up its sleepers until trillions of years in the far future when some random particle in its core decays and triggers the wake up process. The sleepers finally awake thinking they have arrived at there new home. Instead they discover nothing. All sensors show no stars are left no planets. The only thing detected are faint x rays from blackholes feeding on the last matter in the universe. They are truly horrifically alone with no hope.. they have basically two choices die a long starvation death onboard the ship as it begins to decay or steer into a nearby blackhole the theory being as they fall into its maw time will slow to near stop and they will die quietly technically never truly dying at least from there pov witch is the only pov left.
@@Williamfuchs420 write that screen play and take my money
@@Williamfuchs420 read Tau Zero
This was actually meant to be the first of a trilogy that would then go on to explore the setting up of the colony I believe, it's too bad it didn't do better so we could see how they could subvert the expectations of a colonial story.
Damn never knew
Never knew. I always took it as a sort of sequal to Event Horizon
Really? I would be fascinated to learn what the plots of those other movies would entail. I can only imagine what twists and revelations they'd come up with!
@@TomorrowWeLive I don’t think they were written or not revealed what the plots were but the next would’ve focused on their attempt to set up a colony on this planet with the other survivors
I think it would make a good short TV series.
Love this movie some much. The ending was the first twisted ending that got me in a long time it blow my mind. Soooo good.
I totally admit that the ending got me too. I'm usually good at figuring out twists and endings. But this one got me good. Definitely a film worthy of much more praise than it received.
I stumbled onto Pandorum a couple of years ago on netflix. Just a random scifi movie in the dead of night. It really surprised me with its quality. Would gladly go back to it anytime.
LIke the Riddick films, original scifi film that does its own world building. Better than generally regarded.
the riddick movies were boring......
but the problem with the industry for awhile is that there's too much noise, too many very bad directors and producers are allowed to fail upwards and agenda driven studio management.....
also oh you can't really go indie outside the system cus you'll get drowned out....but with audiences finally turning their noses up at nearly everything cus it's trash now is the time for indies to step up and sent H-Wood packing
personally i'm done with the mainstream industry, IDG2F is WB lasts another 100 years, they suck and so does Sony Pictures and paramount and Viacom.....they all suck and all are agenda driven and make utter trash
Riddick did in fact build up a world i won't dispute that but just not my thing storywise....
if the industry was fair Dredd woulda been a success and Oblivion woulda made way more money than it did and that After Earth woulda lost money big time
it's sad that when decent movies do kinda hit big like first man or martian or Interstellar people gotta rip em apart yet when we try to do the same to SW to point out the problems we get ripped apart oh we're racist burn the industry and start over, that's the way wipe it clean and start over, tabula rasa
@@darthXreven I disagree on your Riddick assessment, but agree with your overall Hollywood take. And The Martian, Interstellar AND First Man are all WAY better films than DisneyWars. Hell, would much rather watch the Riddik films again that those pieces of trash.
Only Pitch Black was good. "Chronicles" was a joke. Haven't even seen Riddick, because it became Riddick-ulous with the second one.
@@mikaelbiilmann6826 riddick is way better than the second movie
@@torquetheprisoner Thanks. May have to check it out then.
This flick has been a major guilty pleasure for me since it came out. Much like Dredd, it offers a tight, simple, situation-driven action plot that mixes horror with sci-fi in a creative way. It’s very well edited and scored and has lots of clever shocks and surprises. It’s too bad when well-made movies like this with smart ideas and innovative sets and effects are lost in the shuffle.
Why'd you have to bring up Dredd? It's a flawless movie and it breaks my heart that it flopped. That said I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that it didn't and won't get a sequel. It stands alone as an untouchable masterpiece. I have to talk myself into believing this, but maybe less is more, and maybe it's good that no one got a chance to ruin Dredd with a less perfect followup. I'm looking at you, Star Wars, thanks for ruining my childhood.
Finally a safe space for Pandorum fans. Always loved this weird ass movie. Unpleasant fun with a glorious twist.
I caught this movie when channel surfing, thought it was really good. Surprised it was quite critically panned, the plot even described as "derivative".!?!?! Really got to wonder what the reviewers in the legacy media are even for these days, they seem to assign scores and critique at random.
All the rating you can pay for.
Pandorum is a gem because that's where I discovered the gorgeous Antje Traue!
When I found Pandorum I was so happy! Its much better than I expected!
The ending plot twist was mindblowing.
I always loved Pandorum, and the twists are amazing.
Yea!
If you're a sci-fi fan this film was never hidden.
I’ve loved Pandorum for several years, it’s actually one of my favorite films. I remember the shock of seeing it the first time and that feeling is as of yet unsurpassed. The hopelessness of it is just great. Of all the people I’ve showed it to, only my wife has grasped it’s greatness 😂
I remember seeing this in the theaters. I was stationed at SOCPAC in Hawaii in 2009, and was about to go on my third tour to Iraq. I had the day off, and saw this at the Victoria Ward Center Theaters during a matinee, and I really liked it. I was surprised to learn it was such a horrible failure.
I watched this at the cinema thinking it would be something like what would eventually be Passengers I was quite shocked that this is more like Ghosts of Mars or Cronicles of Riddick I especially loved the twist which like Identity or Total Recall you just don't see coming, it's just a shame there's not more hard edge Sci Fi like this.
I loved pandorum I’m so glad that it’s getting some traction as of lately
Reddit threads and Facebook groups calling for the remaining two parts of the film/the directors cut
This is one of all-time favorites actually.
I was lucky enough to see this movie in the cinema. Just fantastic. One of the best syfy movies ever.
Lucky
Honestly, the greatest thing about this film is the attention to detail given to making the universe believable. Cyrostasis has various tubes (presumably for nutrients and waste), control panels have turn cranks to provide power, handheld devices can be shook or have hand-pumps, there's food tablets and flavor drops for water, jumpsuits for the crew, crew areas are clean and well-lit with the power on while maintenance areas are industrial and dark, the presence of a genetic ark to help humans adapt to life on an alien planet with an entirely different ecosystem despite its similarities to Earth, etc. Every aspect of the film is dedicated to making the scenario believable which enhances the horror and the ticking clock because if our protagonists fail then humanity is dead, and the film makes you feel that.
Pandorum is one of my favourite sci fi horror movies, it is so good!!
Loved Pandorum... the twist was amazing and I have, even though it makes no sense, wanted a sequel
I saw it and love it. Baffling how a great sci-fi movie can go unnoticed but then again I've seen some movies "burrowing" some general ideas from it.
Pandorum is probably one of the best hotor film from 2000 to to day and beyond
I can't even count how many times I've seen this movie. Absolutely mind-blowing sets
I really can't manage horror films, this is an exception to that rule though; love it
A great entry in the small but venerable genre of 'Space Madness'
Pandorum is such a great movie.. It has really surprised me when I watched it. And also it has Antje in it, and I got the hots for her. Also she is really good in this movie..
My friend and I watched this in the theater. The story still sticks with me. A true scifi gem.
The poor bastard who wakes up only to be instantly eaten by the cannibals is one of those awful fates for someone in a movie you just never forget. Is it strange that my friends and I laughed when it happened? It's just so over the top it made us crack up.
some of my favorite horror movies are scifi, and pandorum is right up there.
i can see parallels of madness and cosmic horror shared with event horizon (another favorite of mine). it also seems like they share a "haunted spaceship" type vibe, with both ships having very gothic designs that add to horror, just like you pointed out in pandorum.
Still remember watching it in theater and being mind blown by the concept and the twist, still one of my fave sci-fi horrors ever
I seen this a few years back on the SYFY in the UK and really enjoyed it. Really good idea. Some great twists about the monsters and what happened to the ship. Thanks for this Rowan going to have to watch this again soon.
I saw this movie in theaters. Loved it. Immediately bought it on blu ray when it came out. I am still telling people about how great this movie is.
This film was phenomenal & blew me away. Right from the get go with that claustrophobic scene in the aircon ducts. Then the evolving story spanning generations of ship inhabitants. It was compelling & original & is easily among my favourite sci fi movies of all time. Up there with Event Horizon, Riddick & Aliens.
I feel like Pandorum's minimal premise, fast pace, and tight editing really help to sell the plot twists. Things are coming at the protagonists so quickly, with them struggling to keep their heads metaphorically above the water, that neither they nor the audience really get a chance to dig into certain elements of the plot that don't make a lot of sense until the final reveal. Upon a second watch, knowing the greater context of their situation, a lot of the weird stuff makes perfect sense, but in a slower film with less focus on the characters' psychological stress, it might end up being overly distracting (compare Fight Club's similar success with pacing and plot twists vs Ghost in the Shell's uphill battle from before the film even starts to get the audience to stay invested long enough to experience that film's twists).
I saw it in theaters. I could not save it from bombing but I did my part. Great film. Thanks for keeping the focus on it.
Antje Traue's eyes... oh my
I always recommend this movie, and event horizon along others
Pandorum. Sci-Fy Channel showed a mini-series with this title in 2020 and the first episode reveals that EVERYONE on that ship dies and the rest of the series is how all that happened as they apparently all go crazy and kill each other!
WHAT. link please.
So Pandorum is a horor version of Passengers... interesting.
I don't know. Passengers was pretty horrific to watch😆
@@numbnutz9398 You know... I guess you're not wrong as its definitely not high on my re-watch list.
Not hidden for me, been a fan since its launch and have recommended it to friends over the years. Although it has its flaws (the editing is headache-inducing for some), it is such a brilliant self-contained story that has a simple and effective worldbuilding and is very satisfying.
I was lucky to catch it at the cinema (same with Equilibrium), and it was incredible to watch on the big screen.
I saw this movie when it first became available on DVD and after watching it, I purchased it immediately. It was so different from the typical sci-fi horror that I had to have it. The story was intruiging, the characters were enjoyable and the effects were great. Another Hidden gem I will mention was 'Dark City' (1998) which apparently the entire N.A. continent let slip by. I recommend that movie to anyone who enjoys sci-fi with a good story, great acting and a wonderful 1940s? flavor to it.
BTW, regarding 'Invincible', don't you like how, in a later episode, Nolan is disdainful of Red Rush's power when that was the one who had the most effect and almost turned the tide of the fight?
Just saw it for the first time this year, thought it was excellent, couldn't believe I'd never heard of it.
It's on Tubi. I think I'll watch it tonight because of it's inclusion in Hidden Gems series.
I just watched it in tubi, such a good choice.
Watching it now bro
Okay, I took your advice and just watched this movie on HULU. It was great! I loved it! Why the hell have I not even HEARD of it?! I was living in Los Angeles at the time so even if it were in limited release I'd think I would of at least have some memory of it's existence! Anyhoo, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Saw this in theaters when it came out. This was right up my alley. Was bummed out that it didn't really get much of a reaction from general audiences. I took a girl I liked to it while it was still out. Needless to say she wasn't very pleased. Her exact words were, "What the hell was that?" We called it quits not long after that lol. Good times
I seen it at the theater it was a packed house. Which kind of surprised me when it didn’t do well. It’s a brilliant movie. 🖖🗽
This movie is so underrated
I remember watching this for the first time when LoveFilm was still a thing. I'm glad it got the attention it deserved down the line. Better than Event Horizon imo. Made me feel more isolated and uncomfortable than that film ever did.
Even though I've seen it, I still didn't want to listen to you spoil it haha. That's greatness.
One of the best sci fi movies ever!
Pandorum is a rare movie that I didn't get the plot twist until they revealed it.
Great review---I remember this movie coming out and how it got very little attention despite having a solid cast. Thanks for bringing it back to my attention, will give it a watch!
Love this movie, was on the edge of my seat for the finale. It really does a great job investing you in the safety of the protagonist and his quest to figure out what's going on.
Fuckin' A! Pandorum makes up a triptych of under performing, under appreciated sci-fi films with Sunshine and Event Horizon. We don't need a sequel, but we need that director's cut to iron out the jump cutting
Yay, validate my feelings! Have always loved pandorum, underrated for a long time.
I love this film. It is a part of my small Blu ray collection. Twist ending really surprised me when I first watched it when it was randomly on TV one night. Have loaned my blu ray to friends and they also were shocked at how good it was.
You did a fantastic job. Thank you.
Excellent concept and movie, very underrated and truly a gem!
A personal fav so Im happy to see it get a mention :)
Man, I really need to see this! I've seen it listed on so many hidden gems (or similar) type videos and I'm sure it's for a good reason. I'm a sucker for high concept/low budget.
I was one of those few that saw it in theatres. Loved it. Gave me the same kind of feel as the Dead Space franchise.
This is definitely one that I enjoyed A LOT. It was a great thriller all the way through to the end. It's amazing to me that it bombed.
I don't believe critics anymore, they have Hana gadsby 100%
The overall plot and conclusion are strongly reminiscent of Bernard Werber's novel "Le Papillon des Etolies" (Star Butterfly): generation-colony ship embarking on a journey to "seed" a distant planet with human life and start a new future. But the movie has added value to that basic plot by making it a gruesome trek through fear and madness. And the end, very cathartic, is not the totally bland rehash of the myth of Genesis (Adam birthing Eve from the cells of his rib) found in the novel.
Even if I'm not particularly into horror movies, I think this one is worth a try.
I remember this being a favourite of mine when I was younger
I found this film in 2014, and absolutely fell in love with it, reminded me of the game Dead Space
I saw it in the theater with friends. Quite liked it back then, well enough to try to sell it to a sci-fi forum as worth a ticket.
Haven't seen it since, but I definitely recall the nest of twists when they reach the cockpit (a scene discussed in the spoiler section of the video) to summon an interesting swing of emotions and thoughts about their situation.
Definitely worth a watch.
This, was good. Gripping with a wicked twist at the end.
Is stumbled over this movie by chance...and LOVED it!
I love your analysis, it's always multifaceted from a cinematic and narrative point of view. I've always agreed with your Star Trek analysis also it's how I interpret the medium and context ,bought Paragon recently although I am yet to read, you're now you're directing me to some B movie Sploosh to watch. I also, like this content angle. Kudos Rowan, your channel is a gem, I look forward to everything you put out, and when you finally helm a movie, I'll be right there good sir.
Sorry for the poor punctuation, few beers+ gaming keyboard is rife for errors
Saw this on TV when I was 16 and honestly it had such an impact on my psyche it was excellent!
with so many unnecessary sequels going around, this is a movie that needs and deserves a sequel.
Oh yeah, I saw this when it came out. I loved it
That description of the ship made me think of Nostalgia for Infinity from the Revelation Space novels
I'm rereading that book as we speak and can definitely see the comparison.
Someone in the community section referenced Starlost and this is a lot like it. You even showed cordwainer Smith which made me chuckle because cordwainer Bird was the alias Harlan Ellison used when he didn't want his name attached to a property he created but was altered without his consent. I hope you cover Starlost in a hidden gem episode mostly because it's Canadian and I have memories watching it while growing up in Montreal 😊
I do plan to cover Starlost in a future video :)
@@RowanJColeman excellent! Looking forward to your thoughts on it!
Also I'd like to recommend The Hidden as a good b movie if you haven't already seen it😊
Dude this is THE HIDDEN GEM
A hidden gem indeed. I watch it every couple of years.
Thank you for standing by physical media, I like owning what I've paid for.
I just rewatched pandorum. I forgot how cool it was. I really appreciate how good the sets are in this movie and that it just does something different story wise. Shame it wasn't more well received because it is great.
I haven't seen this movie but I'm going to watch it tonight.. I'll continue the review when I'm done
The ending was kinda silly, but I actually did kinda enjoy the movie. Dennis Quaid going crazy and fighting his imaginary younger self was pretty funny 😂
Watched this years ago because I loved the actor in Alpha Dog and 3:10 to Yuma and loved it. Great movie that flies under the radar.
This movie; Pandorum along with Alien. Event Horizon. Pitch Black. Dead Space(video game) and other movies with similiar elements, is what I consider to be in league of my favorite Space sub-genre: ”Dark Space”.
The pandorum effect is the name of the astronaut’s real psychological experience, caused by the feeling of the emptiness, hopelessness and lonelyness, product of the long space journeys. Many astronauts has experienced this and it has been described as PSTD
watched this originally and went through my first watching going ....ok what am I missing ...the last what 20 minutes your like ....OHHH now it makes sence and you start back tracking over all the little clues the movie gave you .A really really underrated movie which I think suffered from just bad advertising for the most part .
Panborim is one of my favorite movies of all time
Such a good movie with a great cast, Ben Foster, and Dennis Quaid were just amazing together.
Whoa, a Cordwainer Smith reference. I wish more people knew of his weird-ass early sci-fi.
I totally agree with this! I mean, if you can get past the cheesiness of the cannibals, it is a solid sci fi action horror. Plus I think the sort of twist reveal at the end is pretty great.
Have seen it several times and i guess i will do it again when it had the right feeling.
In 2007 Denis Quad was in a movie called Battle For Terra, it was about a ship traveling to another planet. In 2009 the was a movie called Avatar, about people going to another planet, the planet was called Pandora. Humans are the villains in all three movies.
A good picture is a thing that with good actors, no matter if they are in a cave or an alien planet it's gonna be great. And the direction was greater then acting. We mist not forget the photography en the props. Genous film. Great ending.
Ahhh, the spiritual successor of EVent Horizon...Cool and weird movie.
This would make a great TV series.
Part of my movie collection. Good film.
damn - what a great movie, really enjoying this one - very good acting...cheers !!