Directed by: Alex Kurtzman
Screenplay by: Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jody Lambert
Cast: Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Pfeiffer, Olivia Wilde
It’s a toss-up as to whether the title is a succinct statement of human commonality – People Like Us – or, rather, a dire plea to the audience in the hopes of engendering good will, i.e., “People … [please] Like Us?”
While the plot concerns the former, the tone unfortunately sinks to the latter, with the second half of the movie attempting to win over our hearts with sappy sentimentality, far more fitting for a schmaltzy cable network such as the Hallmark Channel than the movie house.
To be somewhat fair, this is new territory for first-time director Alex Kurtzman, who had previously written many an action film with writing partner Roberto Orci (Star Trek, Cowboys & Aliens, the first two Transformers, Mission Impossible III, as well as television’s Fringe). With an additional credit to third writer Jody Lambert, while this well-intentioned movie opens with a certain snap, it ultimately stumbles. Kurtzman and Orci needn’t have discarded their muscular action rhythms that had worked so well for them in the past; sadly, it’s just that kind of zing that is sorely lacking here.
[For Kimberly Gadette's full review on doddle and her rating, please click here]