It's not your average dumb popcorn movie, so audiences stayed away, apparently. Making them think gets them nervous - that's my only explanation, because Sphere is a great psychological sci-fi thriller.
SPOILERS!!
Not everything fits together (why exactly does Sharon Stone decide to go in the Sphere? And if they have this great power why can't they magic themselves top-side or stop the explosives?) but the story remains suitably grounded and tense throughout, with some nice FX work that doesn't rub your face in CGI.
The time-travel stretch may alienate some viewers (no pun intended) but I thought it a nice little joke that something circular (the Sphere) comes back around to the beginning of the story, creating a time loop. Watch the movie and you'll see what I mean. Underrated and flawed, Sphere is still a decent sci-fi with some nice performances from Stone and Hoffman.
SPOILERS!!
Not everything fits together (why exactly does Sharon Stone decide to go in the Sphere? And if they have this great power why can't they magic themselves top-side or stop the explosives?) but the story remains suitably grounded and tense throughout, with some nice FX work that doesn't rub your face in CGI.
The time-travel stretch may alienate some viewers (no pun intended) but I thought it a nice little joke that something circular (the Sphere) comes back around to the beginning of the story, creating a time loop. Watch the movie and you'll see what I mean. Underrated and flawed, Sphere is still a decent sci-fi with some nice performances from Stone and Hoffman.