Review of Elysium (2013) by Neil D — 05 Mar 2015
Neill Blomkamp's Elysium runs mainly on the summer action formula, while clocking in only 90 minutes. However, the social and environmental issues save this otherwise exciting sci-fi flick from being derivative.
Matt Damon delivers his role in his typical action fashion, though his character has some development through flashbacks. The latter applies to Alice Braga's character as well, who's role as a desperate mother trying to save her daughter may seem tacked on, but does have importance to the plot overall. Jodie Foster is seemingly two-dimensional, but gives a strong performance. And despite another collaboration with Blomkamp, Sharlto Copley seems a bit goofy as an antagonist.
Where Elysium truly shines though is through its outstanding visual effects. They truly portray a decaying L.A., while constrasting dramatically with the heavenly looking space station. The action sequences, though sometimes drawn out, are nonetheless dazzling.
The sound effects are as high tech as the movie's premise. The dubstep music, on the other hand, feels thrown in there because of its popularity in today's culture, but it certainly doesn't kill the movie's mood entirely.
It's no District 9, but Elysium has just enough for sci-fi fans to check out.
This review of Elysium (2013) was written by Neil D on 05 Mar 2015.
Elysium has generally received positive reviews.
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