Neill Blomkamp burst onto the scene 4 years ago with “District 9”, a compelling, gorgeous, and impressive take on social issues, in particular with regards to apartheid. It was a nominee for Best Picture at many awards shows, and it deserved all the recognition it got.
Elysium is a step down. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not entertaining. One cannot go into this movie expecting a brilliantly constructed political allegory, because it is anything but. The parallels are extremely heavy-handed, and while it tries to touch on issues of totalitarianism, overpopulation, and greed, it fails to do so in a nuanced way.
Of course, it’s an action film. That is what one should expect going in, and it is what you get. The action is at times breathtaking, and like District 9, the cinematography is excellent. Matt Damon does good work portraying a dying and desperate man, and Sharlto Copley (District 9) does great work portraying the delightfully evil Agent Kruger. The main weak link in the cast, though, is Jodie Foster, whose role doesn’t harness her full range of acting ability; she comes across as a robot of sorts, and I would’ve liked to see the movie at least scratch the surface of her hard exterior.
Elysium is a generally enjoyable film, though, and it’s well worth watching.
Grade: B
Credit to Media Rights Capital and Elysium for all pictures. I own nothing.
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