Jamie Skinner reviews 65: A spaceship crash lands on prehistoric Earth with the only survivors (Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt) having to fend against dinosaurs to reach the shuttle home.

Cert - 12, Run-time - 1 hour 53 minutes, Director - Scott Beck and Bryan Woods

Don’t let the trailers deceive you. While there’s plenty of dinosaur action in 65 the prehistoric creatures aren’t as prevalent throughout the film as you might think. Writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods sparingly use dinosaurs throughout the film, helping to build up tension throughout by holding things back and making sure to bring a scare factor to the proceedings.

The central focus is on the journey and relationship between spaceship crash survivors Mills (Adam Driver) and Koa (Ariana Greenblatt). Neither speak the same language and are uncertain about what lies ahead of them in this unfamiliar world, however, brave the outside in the hope of reaching an escape pod just a few kilometres away, especially before time runs out due to an impending asteroid collision.

While the ticking clock element of the film doesn’t quite have the effect it might want, instead feeling somewhat forced, there’s plenty to enjoy about the action that’s on display. It’s clear that the film wants to entertain its audience and it certainly achieves this through its sci-fi infused action sequences. Beck and Woods don’t overcomplicate things or create extra subplots, instead the narrative is kept relatively simple as the characters make their journey over the course of 93 minutes.

Whilst moments which lean into more emotional tones for the two central figures might not have the effect or connection hoped for this isn’t to say that the performances aren’t good. A film like this needs good performances to help drive it forward and provide some of that believability into the scenario - and Driver in particular delivers an, as expected, very good turn bouncing off of Greenblatt well, and vice versa. Like the ticking clock some of these points can feel more contrived than other elements in the film, particular when being dealt with in the final act, however there’s still plenty to enjoy surrounding this.

Again, much of this comes in the action and the simple course of two people fighting for survival. It’s easy to simply be caught up in the events and be kept in place for the duration of the run-time. From the likeable treatment of the relationship between Driver and Greenblatt’s characters - having the most effect in quieter moments, admittedly sometimes before an effective jump scare.

In general, there’s plenty to enjoy about 65. While the more directly dramatic moments might feel somewhat contrived there’s still plenty to enjoy within the sci-fi actioner nature which frequently crops up within the successful ‘journey in a strange world’ tone. Simply, it’s a rather entertaining time with plenty to sit back and enjoy for the duration, helped by the fact that nothing is convoluted, adding to the tone and overall effect.

Jamie Skinner - Four stars