I.S.S. is a movie that depicts America vs. Russia. No, it’s not on some earthly battlefield but rather in outer space. Here’s a thriller that is admittedly well-made with decent performances. Another thing it has in its favor is that it’s intriguing out of the gate and stays intriguing for its first two-thirds. However, its final act devolves into formula and fails to be daring.
The movie takes place aboard the International Space Station (I.S.S.). It features three American astronauts and three Russian cosmonauts working together. What they’re working on remains a mystery. Nevertheless, they’re all bonding really well until a war of some kind breaks out on Earth between the two nations.
Each side has been contacted by their country to take control of the I.S.S. by any means necessary. Oscar winner Ariana DeBose is the leader of the astronauts.
I give the movie some points for it not immediately turning into a gore fest but rather attempting to build tension as each side does its best to hide the message from the other. Of course, in a plot like this, it doesn’t take long before the cat is out of the bag.
I.S.S. is a movie that succeeds in being atmospheric in its structure at the setup, and at first, the drama and suspense draw you into the film: Will these two sides kill each other, or will they work together to make it home?
A lot of the dialogue is predictable, still, there are scenes where the movie aspires to subvert expectations. However, it eventually turns into an ‘every person for themselves’ formula or, should I say, ‘for their country.’
What disappoints me is here’s a movie that had such ambition and potential. It could have broken the conventions of its genre, but in its apparent desire to end safely, winds up leaving moviegoers frustrated and baffled.
I.S.S. launches with great promise, but it ultimately crashes and burns.
Grade: B-
(Rated R for some violence and language.)
