 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Pandorum
- Review Date: September 24, 2009
- R
- Genre: Science Fiction
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Relentless, intensely violent sci-fi chiller isn't for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the intense violence in this dark, scary sci-fi movie is apparent in every scene, even if it's not specifically presented in terms of fighting or gore (though there's plenty of those, too). There's a constant, unrelenting feel of terror, tension, and dread, thanks mainly to the movie's overwhelmingly dark, metallic, deliberately unsettling sets. Alien creatures threaten to jump out from every dark corner, and the soundtrack's alarming use of screeching noises adds to the general unease. Likely it will be too much for most kids to handle. Despite that, and despite the characters' severe trials and tribulations, the movie has a solid ethical core and a generally hopeful outlook. Characters set aside their differences and team up for the greater good, and despite his potty mouth (expect plenty of "f--k"s and more) and initial disorientation, the hero ultimately behaves bravely and selflessly.
What's the story?
In the future, the spaceship Elysium is launched on a very special mission. From one of its hibernation chambers, Bower (Ben Foster) awakens, not knowing who he is, how long he' has been asleep, what his final destination is, or how far away he is. A senior officer (Dennis Quaid) also awakens, and they agree that Bower -- using his still-remembered training -- will embark upon a dangerous mission to find the ship's reactor and reboot it. To get there, Bower must travel through many dark, imposing and sometimes claustrophobic corridors. To his horror, he soon discovers that he's not alone on the ship -- and that not all of his new companions are friendly.
Is it any good?
PANDORUM won't convert anyone who isn't already a sci-fi/horror fan, but for those already in the club, it provides some very intense, memorable chills. Directed by Christian Alvart, the movie has an especially effective set design, filled with dark, constricting, metallic corridors with lots of snaky black tubing poking out. The ship's lights keep flickering out, and every inky corner is filled with potential menace. And the off-screen screeching noises help keep up a constant sense of tension and dread.
The movie's theme of madness (the "pandorum" of the title) is played to the hilt, the violence comes fast and hard, and it will likely be a bit too much for most kids. Fortunately, the hero (Foster) is a likeable sort, and he grows and changes in an interesting way over the course of the film; the overriding theme is one of hope.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the effect of the movie's very intense violence and terror? How does it make you feel? Is it really necessary for the plot?
The film's prologue charts the future explosion in the Earth's population and mentions a severe shortage of water and food. What causes overpopulation, and why is it bad? What are some of the ways to curb it?
What's the difference between social order and rules and chaos?
What would it feel like to be away from your loved ones in deep space?
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AGE
Favorite movie of all time.
The movie itself was great, as soon as I watched it I wanted to start it again. The plot had more twists than Universal Studios' Dueling Dragons.
Gore: Pretty bad, stabing, monsters biting chunks out of people, decapitations and needle in the eye at one point (They close-up on this). Though it's pretty dark throughout the movie, making it a little less visible. But not much less.
Language: On and off F's, a few scatered S**ts and B*****ds, and other smaller curse's.
Terror: I(13) and my brother (16) watched this with our mom, it didn't scare us but our mom covered her eyes for most of it. It was a very dark movie throughout the movie they're ttrapped in a ship with horrible monstermutant/alien things, cannibles and darkness with a reactor about to blow and cause them all to die. But the hero always try's to help all survivors he meets.
Other: No smoking, drinking, drug abusing, sex, or commercialism.
I just wanted to say, forget all of the above and just rent it, it was the best movie I've eever seen and my mom and brother agreed it was in their top 3.
For those of you worrying about a horrible ending: It has a happy ending, but I will say no more.
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AGE
rent it
this movie looked cool in the trailer bu it kind of sucked nobody really acted well and i also didnt get the plot
rent it becuse it might scare you at some point
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AGE
Good movie, but certainly not for the kiddies.
I enjoyed this movie, but i wouldn't take my son to see it. Teenagers would probably be ok though. There are some frightning sceens, so judge by your childs maturity level. some 13 and over may be ok with it.
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AGE
What are all of u talking about?!
This was a great movie, that I thought would suck. Ever since the original Alien, the setup and concept has been redone( quite terribly, I might add ) over an over and over again. Pandorum is the exception. First off, what's with all the "dark tone," and keeping u w/ a sense o dread" crap in the Violence section? First of all, u wanna see dark? Go see Watchmen or The Road. Second, of course it keeps u with that scared feeling! It's a frogging horror film! An third, those two things shouldn't even be IN the Violence section! They're more fitted to be in th negative messages. Now, Dennis Qaud did WAY better than he did in G.I. Joe, Ben Foster did good for a leading role, and the script was good. Now, violence is bad. People are shown w/ their stomachs ripped open, stabbed in the eye, a slit throat, ad a few stabs in other places. Also, the creatures are stabbed, cut in the head, blood or black ooze is usually seen drooling from their mouths, and they are blown up. Also, ppl are ripped apart( we see nothing ), and are flown across the room. Sex, cleavage. A lot of cleavage. They only had one girl, but dang. And I don't approve of nudity in movies, but that's like being in front of a Wal-Mart where everything is free, but ur banned. If ur not gonna show nudity, then don't show so much dang cleavage! Also, brief mention of the alien monsters "breeding." Language, about 5 or 6 uses of f*ck. And some other minors, including one usage of "g*dd*mn." But all-in-all, really good movie, don't know what u guys r talking about, really dark, and TERRIBLE language. It's not the worst out there. Seriously. The best horror I've seen in a while, go check it out.
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AGE
Pandorum: The Virus Is Just About As Bad As The Movie
Pandorum is an interesting film. The plot and story line are not bad at all, however the move can get boring after a while, for there is only so much you can do with vicious creatures and a few humans on a space ship in the future! The movie lacked any positive messages; in fact, it lacked messages alone! No message here. The violence is absolutely disturbing. Everything from humans being sliced open to talk of cannibalism. I felt as if this movie was nothing more than a film to pacify those out there who just like to watch terrible acting and gory story lines. This movie is absolutely not for kids, older kids, tweens, teens or adults for that matter. This is not because it was disturbing, but because it was just simply, not a good film. I would give the director a pat on the back for showmanship, but nothing more.
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AGE
What Starts Out as an Alien-Esque Sci-Fi Horror Turns Out to Be a Sci-Fi Masterpiece with Novel Twists and Turns!
I loved this movie; it was fantastic! It was terrifying, action-packed, and the acting was fantastic. And the twists; they blew my mind. I saw a few of them coming, but the big ones were the ones that blew my mind. The final twist made my jaw drop. PARENTS: This is not for kids; it is utterly terrifying and spine-tingling, with a constant sense of doom; there are multiple jump scenes, followed by strong, vicious violence and gore. On a possitive note, the main hero never loses face and pulls through in the end, despite astronomical odds. This is a very scary, well-written, well-acted masterpiece; and the jump scenes will leave you clawing your seats and loved ones and looking around your shoulders continuously. Beware; the good sign of well-made suspense is making the audience know when the jumps are coming, yet the audience jumps anyway. I knew when the jump scenes were coming, yet I jumped out of my seat. Bravo. Thanks for reading - Movie Man
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AGE
good movie but for mature kids
this movie is great but scary there are some parts that are bloody there is one part where the aleins stuck a spear the the mans head an blood just came gushing down an theres this other part where this guy stuck a needle into a mans eye an they show it in there an there is a lot of swearing
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AGE
Entertaining and Suspenseful
A decent horror movie. I would recommend it to anyone who is a sci-fi or horror fan. Suggested MPAA rating: R for strong horror violence and gore, terror and language.
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AGE
Exept for all the swearing (wich was pretty bad) it's great. My dad watched it first then I watched it with the sound off and he narrated. There was just a couple scenes I couldn't watch (because of gore) There's one scary scene where the main characters are locked in a room with a demented cannibal and he is telling stories (accompanied by creepy pictures he drew on the wall) about him being the only human in the universe. Some scary images, too much swearing, good action and suprise/happy ending. might scare kids, and the language isn't appropriate for anyone
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AGE
Read
Rated R: Strong Graphic Horror Violence, A Scene of Underclothing, and Strong Language
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| Studio: | Overture Films |
| Director: | Christian Alvart |
| Cast: | Antje Traue, Ben Foster, Dennis Quaid |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Run time: | 108 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 25, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | December 22, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong horror violence and language |
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