In general this decade, science fiction films have leaned on worse-for-wear formulas and an over-reliance on computer effects. Which among other bad things means less work for makeup, miniature and matte artists. Usually the best that you can hope for is a few thrills and a well explored theme or two. What Pandorum lacks in terms of originality and plausibility (a stretchable term in the realm of sci fi) it makes up for with strong execution and an effectively claustrophobic tone. It also helps that the set design is imaginative which sets the table for a steady building sense of despair, dread and horror.

The title Pandorum is supposed to be a clinical name for delusions and paranoia that set in after long periods in space. I also seem to remember something about a box that if opened could turn into a nasty can of worms. Our space travelers wake up from a long winters naptune, preserved in froxen stasis (yawn) with only the vaguest of clues as to what they're doing, why they're a g'zillion lightyears from Earth and (oh yes) who they are? The neck of the starwoods they find themselves in require some fancy flying through strange narrow passages which leaves pilot (Ben Foster) with a handful, while Loo Ten Ten (Dennis Quaid) sets about trying to puzzle together their gaping lapses of memory and while they're racking their timewarped brains things start to take a turn for the wierd.

Bits of flashback (some very calculated) reveal the vessel to be a Noah's Ark type transport craft en route to populate an earthy planet some unthinkable distance from Good old Third Rock. Mother Earth has evidently fallen into warring and rumors of warring over dwindling resources and Health Care proposals (Green message received - yawn) thus the colonizing vessel is sent with a biotech buttload of start-your-own-planet provisions stored in what looks to be a huge bank. Included is a select cast of thousands whose absence is eventually noticed by our dazed duo. Which brings us to our next big challenge.

In a fashion that reminds of Descent we soon begin to suspect that Quaid and Foster have got a bit of company after all as we soon become aware that many of their fellow colonizers have turned into a rather unattractive army of pale, balding, mutant, cannibal creatures. What was that tagline from Aliens "In Space Noone Can Smell You Crap Yourself."? It turns out the others woke up a few miles back just a tad cranky and starving. Since they've managed to adapt to the spacey environment. Which of course, begs more questions than Ken Jennings could answer, but they soon take a backseat to the our heroes harrowing race to reach the ships nuclear reactor which somehow must be reset.

During this mad, haunted house-like dash there are a few moments that might give the less-jaded movie fan a nuclear reaction in their shorts. It also allows the plot to thicken as Foster encounters an asian agriculturalist (Cung Lee) and a Biologist (a too attractive German actress named Antje Traue) both of whom are still operating on the legal end of the food chain and who've conveniently developed some mighty impressive Martial Arts chops. But then again so have some of the creatures - all portrayed by German athletes who frug about like Flea on benzedrine. (film buffs will note that after long hours of take after take in close, sweaty quarters with German athletes, the films stars get a welcome break from the rigors of acting, because when they are suddenly accosted by one of these space-cannibals, the "screaming" and "horrified panic" is quite genuine.) Along with their Martial arts moves, the German influence is evidenced by the cannibal's spiked and studded black leather uniforms as well as their Ghengis Kahn like weapons. On top of that there are a few odd side characters thrown into the mix for good measure, including a mysterious stowaway that pesters Dennis Quaid until he about loses it in the control room as well as a crazed but wisened old cannibal human who delivers plot narrative via mad prophet spiels, or Cannibal Lectures, if you will. (good for a weird laugh or two).

German Director (Christian Alvart - making his first foray into English language films) shows a general mastery of mood and tone with a little skill for giving some of the monsters notes of humanity. Foster and Traue have a little spark between them and Cung Lee's character is that of a noble servant (who can't speak the language). Before it's over the truth about the ship and Quaid are revealed in what is not the most clever manner, but we do get some frenetic camera angles that recall some of thrillers from years past. By the end you definitely feel dues owed to such films as Alien and Event Horizon, but there are a few less obvious nods to themes used in lesser known films like Silent Running (ships with living cargo) and Dark Star (space paranoia). In the end the sum of this film is not greater than the parts (including some laughable bits in the middle) but there's enough interesting stuff and well executed jumps to keep you on board.