Writer: Loong Wai Ting

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Watch this if you liked: "1408," "Lady In The Water," "Flight Plan"

"Passengers" is choppy, confusing, scary and yet exciting, all at the same time. Billed as a supernatural action-thriller, "Passengers" is actually more like a comedy, sort of like a bad taste of mismatched mystery and emotional trauma.

From the looks of it, we are reminded of TV hit series "Lost." However, "Passengers" has got more 'fear factor'. The first half of the movie is quite promising with an inspired Anne Hathaway at the helm but as the story carries on, basic understanding towards the movie hits a snag. It's perplexing how a story like "Passengers" could pick up and then die down. The second half borders on irritating - when it should be moving into a climax, it instead nose-dives into unnecessary intimate scenes and lots of talking. All the pieces start to fall into place 10 minutes before reaching its finale. There is a twisted ending ala M. Night Shyamalan if you're into that kind of thing. This reviewer finds it powerful, strong and thought-provoking this time around.

To inject some emotional thrill to the movie, "Passengers" comes with a package of decent instrumental music. For the confusing storyline and slow climax, the soundtrack, is at least commendable.

Sometimes, one wonders why a movie like "Passengers" is made in the first place. However, it is still quite entertaining and enjoyable to watch. If you'd appreciate a movie version of TV's CSI, "Passengers" will please you. For fans of Anne Hathaway, you'd definitely get your kicks too.

However, now that you know "Passengers" gets an easy takeoff but not an entirely all-round likeable landing, the choice is yours on whether to watch it in the cinemas or wait for the DVD release.

Cinema Online, 09 April 2009