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Pandora is a 2016 South Korean disaster movie that depicts the catastrophic aftermath of a nuclear power plant explosion in a small town. The film highlights the devastating consequences of one of the worst nuclear accidents in history and how it irrevocably impacts human lives, relationships, and the environment. The town of Hanbyul is a place where everyone knows each other. However, when the nuclear power plant located in the center of the town experiences an explosion, everything changes forever. The story revolves around a poor family, Jeon family, who lives closest to the power plant.

After the explosion, the town is evacuated with the exception of Bong-gu (Daekyum Ahn), a quick-witted employee of the power plant, and two firefighters. They are risking their lives to prevent a full-blown nuclear meltdown, which will cause even more damage to the surroundings. Meanwhile, Jeon family is left behind in Hanbyul, and they are forced to deal with the aftermath of the explosion alone.

Among the characters, the main protagonist is Jae-hyeok (Kim Nam-gil), who is a former worker at the nuclear plant. He knows the ins and outs of the plant and is the only person who might be able to help Bong-gu and the others to avert an even greater disaster. His fiance Yeon-ju (Kim Joo-hyun) works at a nearby hospital as a nurse, and she witnesses firsthand the massive influx of patients affected by the explosion.

The family drama storyline focuses on Jae-hyeok's family and specifically his mother, who suffers from dementia. They are financially struggling but live peacefully until the nuclear accident turned their lives upside down. Fortunately, they are able to hear from Jae-hyeok on the phone who offers them guidance on how to protect themselves and how to cope with the situation.

The film portrays the aftermath of the disaster as a messy, chaotic, and disorganized situation, where everyone is overwhelmed with the scale of the destruction. Citizens, army, and government officials are frantically trying to control the radiation leaks and help those in need. However, the communication channels are jammed, resources are scarce, and time is running out, making the situation even bleaker.

Pandora takes a critical approach towards nuclear energy as it exposes the flaws and risks associated with operating nuclear power plants. The film poses some hard-hitting questions about the safety measures implemented by the government and how extensively they are scrutinized. It shows that sometimes greed, shortcuts, and the almighty dollar can corrupt even the best of intentions. Still, the film does not paint a simplistic or one-dimensional picture. Instead, it shows multiple perspectives and acknowledges the complexity of the issue at hand.

The acting in the film is top-notch, especially Nam-gil's portrayal of a conflicted man who is forced to compromise his beliefs to help his family and his town. The cinematography is excellent, showcasing the small-town setting and the destruction that nuclear radiation can cause. The film's pacing is fast, which creates an anxious atmosphere that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

Overall, Pandora is a well-made disaster film that hits all the right notes. It is suspenseful, emotional, and thought-provoking, and it successfully raises awareness of the dangers associated with nuclear energy. Whether you are a fan of the disaster genre or not, this movie is worth watching for its powerful story and terrific performances.

Pandora is a 2016 thriller with a runtime of 2 hours and 16 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.