Review of Oblivion (2013) by John S — 09 Jul 2016

This may be one of THE most underrated movies of all time. Critics generally panned it on the premise that it has a dry script and the movie takes too long to get to the punchline of what it's about. This assessment, however, I believe ignores or perhaps completely misses the elements of this movie that make it truly great.

Without giving away any of the plot, at its core Oblivion is a movie about self-discovery, the search for truth, and what it means to be human. The length of the movie, and the time it takes to get to the punchline, is a big part of that discovery process. First you are immersed into Jack Barker's reality and made to believe what he believes. Then as the truth is discovered, you share in Jack's confusion and denial. Once the realization finally sets in and hits him, it's hitting you too. I've never seen a movie that so closely ties the emotions of the main character to that of the viewer.

Through this process, Jack discovers his own identity. He realizes he is not what he thought he was, and that the true Jack Barker is a huge piece of a much bigger puzzle. The viewer is similarly left questioning the foundational truths on which he bases his own reality. I personally found myself replaying the scenes and the ideas in my head for days after watching it.

Set in a futuristic world where earth has been completely transformed by an alien invasion, the visual landscapes in the movie are breathtaking and alone make the movie worth watching. Tom Cruise also delivers the performance of his life, and the soundtrack is one of the most epic I've ever heard.

I don't know why the critics failed to appreciate this movie, but I thought it was beautiful. Highly recommend to anyone who appreciates futuristic sci-fi and philosophical subjects.