Login
Elysium is the sophomore effort of director Neill Blomkamp. Much like District 9, it has fantastic visuals, political / social commentary and it experiments with the concept of trans-humanism. It's a better film, in my opinion, and an increasingly rare example of good science fiction on the silver screen.
The movie had some nice thematic touches throughout, demonstrating that Blomkamp has grown as a director. For example, the main "Elysium" characters talk in a stilted, almost robotic manner to emphasize their fundamental disconnect with humanity. Less savvy movie goers (and critics) will chalk this up to bad acting, even though it can't be an accident that Jodie Foster and William Fichtner are doing this while the other main actors aren't.
The main villain of the film, a combination of the mad monk Rasputin and Solid Snake, is not only disconnected from humanity, but driven to insanity by a life of mercenary warfare and serving the ungrateful elites that are his masters. He is the ultimate typification of the soldier, bitterly enraged once he realizes that he is to be used and thrown away.
The ending felt a bit rushed and needed some more time to earn its emotional conclusion, but that was my only serious gripe with the film. Overall, it was a great thrill ride from start to finish and never compromised its vision.
Pros
Great pacing, action rarely lets up after the introduction
Gritty realism mixed with badass technology (The Blade Runner effect)
Strong themes (social and economic inequality, survival, trans-humanism)
High production values
Exciting fight scenes
Cons
Shaky cam
First and second act are stronger than the third
The South African actors were difficult to understand at times
8/10
