Short reviews for clear and concise verdicts on a broad range of films...
Elysium (Dir. Niell Blomkamp/2013)
Rich people of the world live on ‘Elysium’; a paradise
whereby there is no sickness and what appears to be immortality. The “rest”
live on Earth. Niell Blomkamp (of District
9) returns to his allegorical sci-fi roots with Matt Damon leading this
gritty action romp. Unfortunately, insights into social and class mobility are
limited as the hyper-technological and divided world is merely a backdrop to a
simplistic story of a psychopathic henchman (Sharlto Copley) - shock horror -
not following orders. Damon’s “Max” fights for the survival of his childhood
sweetheart, Frey (Alice Braga), and her daughter - so those on Elysium are not
the primary concern. Jodie Foster, protecting Elysium from the inevitable
Earth-dwellers trying to access tip-top health-care, has so much potential –
but it is secondary. Brutal injustices seem rooted in truth - so it’s
heart-breaking that Blomkamp fails to ensure that the story carries the same
weight.
Rating: 7/10
Rating: 7/10
No comments:
Post a Comment
Copyright 2008-2015. All posts & reviews are property of www.simoncolumb.wordpress.com/Simon Columb and should not be reproduced in whole, or in part, without express permission from the author.