I.S.S. 2024

The war on earth will be decided in space.

5.063 / 10   88 vote(s)
R
Science Fiction Thriller

Tensions flare in the near future aboard the International Space Station as a conflict breaks out on Earth. U.S. and Russian astronauts receive orders from the ground: take control of the station by any means necessary.

Homepage https://bleeckerstreetmedia.com/i-s-s
Release Date 2024-01-19
Runtime 1h 36m
Directors Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Nick Matthews, Scott Hardwick, Sean Vawter
Producers Michael Glassman, Mehrdod Heydari, Mickey Liddell, Alison Semenza, Pete Shilaimon, Jacob Yakob, Kyle Dutton, Kamila Ostra
Writer Nick Shafir

There are times when this drama quite effectively illustrates the claustrophobic nature of life aboard the International Space station that is jointly manned by American and Russian scientists. The arrival of "Foster" (Ariana DeBose) brings the tally to three from each nation but very shortly afterwards it's apparent that things on Earth are no-good. What look like volcanic eruptions are occurring all over the place followed by complete radio silence. Well, almost complete. The Americans are given an order that they must assume their counterparts have been given too. What now ensues is a really mediocre sci-fi thriller that tries far too hard to manufacture tension from a misfiring cast and some serious over-scripting. DeBose does enough I suppose, but Chris Messina is his usual wooden self (even if there is a scene that just made me think of that famous line from Brian Blessed). The visual effects do enough but the characterisations are shallow and the plausibility of the entire scenario is dubious. Essentially two warring tribes cohabiting the same space-borne igloo. The denouement doesn't really make a great deal of sense, but I suppose it does ask us to test the relative merits of human nature and decency against the demands of national loyalty - especially when the benefits of either are ambiguous at best. It's not terrible, but I've seen better episodes of "Space 1999".

CinemaSerf

It's good. Coulda been better, but still good.

'I.S.S.' gave me enough. I do think it could've been paced better and had a bit more intrigue put in there, though what's produced is satisfying. The titular set looks nice and the zero gravity comes across as convincing, while the sound design et al. is all positive.

For me, the cast are very solid. It perhaps could've done with a true star performer as no-one stands far and above their co-stars. Ariana DeBose is more than solid, she is the best of those onscreen; albeit narrowly so. Masha Mashkova and Pilou Asbæk are decent, as also are Chris Messina and Costa Ronin.

Nothing spectacular evidently, though this release is a perfectly watchable sci-fi flick. I'd recommend it.

r96sk