A One Mann’s Movies review of “Stowaway” (2021).
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
In “Stowaway”, three astronauts – Commander Marina Bartlett (Toni Collette), doctor and scientist Zoe Levensen (Anna Kendrick) and scientist David Kim (Daniel Dae Kim) – have left earth on a mission to Mars. Bartlett is a bit surprised when she removes an overhead panel and technician Michael Adams (Shamier Anderson) falls out on her, injuring her arm.
This is problematic. The ship was designed for two (with the specs pushed for three – – ed: really???!). With oxygen levels depleting, the crew are left with some difficult decisions to make.
The ever-excellent Toni Collette as Commander Bartlett. (Source: Stowaway Productions)
Certification:
Talent:
Starring: Toni Collette, Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Shamier Anderson.
Directed by: Joe Penna.
Written by: Joe Penna, Ryan Morrison.
David (Shamier Anderson), Zoe (Anna Kendrick) and David (LOST’s Daniel Dae Kim). Three folks, and only two masks. (Source: Stowaway Productions)
Review:
Positives:
- For once, I have no issues with the physics of this sci-fi movie! As a PhD physicist by training, you will generally hear me huffing and puffing in sci-fi movies about loud noises in space; implausible decompressions; and the like. But here, I really liked the design of the spaceship and its implementation of artificial gravity. No massive and wasteful ‘wheel’ construction as in “2001: A Space Odyssey” here. Just units on the ends of a sufficiently long tether to get the right G.
- Equally – again physics related – the ‘climb’ and ‘descent’ scenes are nicely executed.
- Toni Collette adds gravitas to the (otherwise OK) cast. Shamier Anderson is also good in his emotional scenes. And the ensemble works well enough together.
Was anyone else thinking of “The Empire Strikes Back” on seeing this window? (Source: Stowaway Productions)
Negatives:
- The screenplay is so vanilla and linear in its storytelling that you could ask me what happened in this movie in six months time and I think I would struggle to answer. When the ‘stowaway’ was discovered, my mind went crazy with options: was he there by accident? (which I don’t think can strictly be defined as a “stowaway”); had he smuggled himself on-board deliberately?; did he have nefarious intentions towards the crew or the mission?; when push came to shove, would the ‘short-straw’ candidate fight back? Literally NONE of this was explored. True that we have a “will they survive” story, as the oxygen depletes, but this has been done much better in films like “Apollo 13” (with CO2 instead of O2).
- Sorry. I’ve never been a fan of Anna Kendrick. She’s fine in fluffier fare like “Pitch Perfect” and “A Simple Favor”. But as the brave and all action heroine here, I didn’t buy it.
- Why have Toni Collette in a movie if you are going to give her so little to do?
A climb and then a fall for Zoe and David. Nice physics. (Source: Stowaway Productions)
Summary Thoughts on “Stowaway”:
I’ve seen a number of extremely positive reviews of this one, which I’ve found a bit mystifying. I really like Sci-fi films, and particularly space-based sci-fi flicks. But this was all very “meh” for me. The premise was full of potential, but failed to deliver on much of it.
Trailer:
The trailer for “Stowaway” is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_apvQkWsVY .
The video review for this one is here – https://youtu.be/T-mbGbTZTps
Hi Bob. Hope you are well. I enjoyed this movie but not for the effects , the physics or the cinematography. There is an element to this movie that lots of reviewers have missed. A commercial venture capitalist that sends a ship to Mars over and over ( badges and signatures on the wall) strips out shielding to save weight and add a 3rd scientist. Then they have a 4th body and a damaged co2 scrubber. Any actions that the mission commander might have taken to be the hero are now blown away by the injury to the arm. The… Read more »
Hi Ian – thanks for commenting. Yep – interesting insights, which I get and appreciate. (I did hint at the “commercial” angle… more Elon Musk than NASA perhaps?). I guess my frustration (reflected in my rating) is that this WAS an interesting premise with a lot of depth to it. A more experienced writer/director might have been able to turn it into a classic. But – personally – it just failed to properly engage me. Glad you enjoyed it though!