Elysium [2013]
Directed by: Neill Blomkamp
Written by: Neill Blomkamp
Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Diego Luna, Wagner Moura, Alice Braga, William Fichtner
Maybe I just like swimming against the current, but I have no qualms in saying Elysium is one of the best movies I’ve seen this year and probably the most satisfying cinematic experience, from beginning to end, I’ve had in the months that have passed since 2013 began.
Neill Blomkamp approaches this more-than-worthy follow-up to 2009’s spectacular and deservedly Oscar-nominated District 9 (so many hyphens, it’s crazy), with a less cerebral and more action-driven vision, which I surprisingly didn’t mind.
Just as D9 was an allegory of apartheid, Elysium tackles the hot-button issues of illegal immigration and access to healthcare and transports them to a devastated Earth in 2154 to get the point across. A bit heavy-handedly, I know, but what’s good sci-fi without political agenda?
Putting aside Jodie Foster’s odd light switch of an accent, how great is the cast? Matt Damon confirms his status as one of the finest leading men working right now, and he’s got the outstanding support of brazilians Wagner Moura and Alice Braga. It’s Sharlto Copley, back with Blomkamp after a terrific breakthrough in D9, who steals scenes as mad-dog villain Kruger, a hammy, thickly accented tornado of a performance.
As I write this, I’m unable to understand the avalanche of hate that’s fallen over Elysium, a definite highlight of the summer season and an exciting, intelligent actioner that should’ve made a star out of Neill Blomkamp but, again, didn’t.
Maybe next time, dude.
Well, I’m swimming there right with you, Fernando. I fully agree with your assessment of this under-valued film. Perhaps it does wear its sentiment on its sleeve. I don’t care because this does reach me, and for the reasons you’ve noted. Well done, my friend.
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Thanks! Great to know there are more fans out there 🙂
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Completely agree, i don’t understand the backlash towards it. It wasn’t perfect or quite as intelligent as his first film, no, but it was still a great film. Good to see another supporter of Elysium.
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Awesome! It makes 3 of us here so far 🙂
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Copley is absolutely phenomenal in this. I love him, he’s definitely on the up-swing right now. Can’t wait to see his future films, especially Blomkamp’s Chappie… Great post!
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Yes! He’s amazing. Also want to see him in Oldboy.
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Good review. A beautiful sci-fi movie, however, the story is somewhat lacking.
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Sorry, but I couldn’t recommend this . It looked good but the climax was too generic – just another shoot’em up. Too bad. It started out with such promise.
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Glad you love this Fernando. I wanted to LOVE this as I really like D-9 but it ended up coming up short for me. I had wished Sharlto was in the lead, but instead his character here is so cartoonish. But I’m still curious what else Blomkamp will do next though.
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I can definitely understand, though. Thanks, Ruth! Will definitely keep an eye out for Blomkamp’s next project.
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I quite liked this but I think it had some issues. No where near as bad as the critics made it out though. As a South African though I have to disagree about D9 being an allegory for Apartheid, it is so much closer to the current xenophobia and isolation around illegal immigrants from other parts of Africa, particularly Zimbabwe.
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“had some issues. No where near as bad as the critics made it out though”: definitely agree.
And hey, who better than a South African to assess the situation in the film? Thanks for your input!
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good review. hope you continue to write longer reviews like this.
am always looking forward to Sci-fi movies, and this is an intelligent one based on your review, so all the better.
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Thank you. Glad you liked it. And yeah, sometimes I have the time or some movies just inspire longer reviews, I don’t know.
I really recommend Elysium. It’s pretty good.
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