Out-of-this world cast shine in space Perfectly-paced thrills test nerves
I.S.S. Cinemas ●●●●●
Space-set thrillers with a combustible crew forced into an unenviable position are nothing new.
What makes I.S.S. slightly stand out from the pack, though, is that the main driving force of the overriding peril happens off-screen down below on Earth.
U.S. and Russian astronauts are getting along swimmingly on the International Space Station when they receive word that all-out war between their nations has broken out back home – with orders given to both to take control of the station by any means necessary.
Relative unknown director Gabriela Cowperthwaite and completely new to the world of movies Nick Shafir, who wrote the script, defy their lack of experience with a wonderfully made battle of wills.
It would have been really easy for them to just copy and paste from many of the other space flicks but they inject their relatable crew with individual personalities – and it’s not easy to guess which direction they will head in once the you-know-what hits the fan.
Unexpected alliances form as each and every person on the station has to choose between their country and its orders and the bonds they have developed 248 miles above the Earth.
Chris Messina (Gordon) is a calm and controlled US Commander, John Gallagher Jr. (Christian) evokes memories of his jumpy turn in 10
Cloverfield Lane, Pilou Asbaek (Alexey) goes against his usual confident, darksided type, Ariana DeBose (Kira) ably becomes the film’s heartbeat and Masha Mashkova (Weronika) doesn’t allow those around her to dictate developments.
Seemingly small things like plastic around wiring and communication systems become weapons surrounded with suspicion as nerves get wrangled.
All we see of the conflict below are hellacious looking huge masses of fire and missiles going off but it’s enough to emphasise the high stakes in space.
I.S.S. is perfectly paced with an out-of-this-world tight-knit cast amid a worrying all-too plausible global catastrophe.
●Do you enjoy space-set flicks? What would you say are some of the genre’s best?
Pop me an email at ian.bunting@ reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.