Elysium

High expectations were not something director Neil Blomkamp had to deal with his directorial debut, 2009’s District 9. But the movie was a surprise hit even earning an Oscar nomination for best picture. So with his long-awaited follow-up, Elysium, the anticipation level is high. Throw in a big star like Matt Damon as your lead and you have a summer blockbuster on your hands. Damon plays a reformed criminal on an Earth where only the poor live. The wealthy are up on a space station called Elysium. After a life-threatening accident, Damon’s character takes a job that could alter the divide between wealthy and poor.

The film has a very similar desolate look to District 9, but that shouldn’t be too surprising since both Blomkamp’s films deal with class division as their main themes. There are moments where the film gets preachy in an attempt to connect it to current real-life conditions. In fact I would say that these moments subtract from the strength of the film. The level of creativity with the sci-fi elements is so interesting that it’s odd to spend so much time on political issues that are easily agreed with in the film’s context. But even with the conspicuous themes, the film is balanced well between story and action.

Blomkamp seems to have mastered the ability to make gritty sci-fi, and with a talent like Damon, the film is exciting and complex. The actor is steady and likeable in the lead role, but the scene stealer is Sharlto Copley, who plays a creepy mercenary. His exchanges with the shady secretary of defense, played by Jodie Foster are great. The balance of star power and lesser known actors gives enough weight to the movie so it doesn’t hang solely on Damon’s shoulders. Now why did we have to wait four years for this director’s second effort? I hope the next one will be quicker.

Each film earns either zero, a half or a full arrow in five categories. The categories are Acting, Writing/Directing, Emotion, Innovation and Overall Impression. The arrows are added up to equal the full score.