Film Review - Elysium

Elysium
Directed by Neill Blomkamp

Summary: Elysium is a tale of two worlds.  Los Angeles looks a bit different in 2154, in fact the entire earth is a diseased and overpopulated slum.  The earth's wealthiest have relocated to a large satellite orbiting earth, a paradise where there is no disease, crime, or struggle. This is Elysium.  On earth, the hardworking ex-convict Max (Matt Damon) is given five days to live after a mishap exposes him to excessive radiation.  Five days to live and nothing to lose, Max, makes it his goal to get to Elysium, the only place he can find healing.  And he is willing to get there by any means necessary.





*Minor spoilers may exist below*

For fans of Neill Blomkamp's previous critically acclaimed feature, District 9, you can expect a studio version of a similar style film.  For some that may be a good thing, for others bad, but it certainly has less of an indie feel and will seek out a larger demographic.  Blomkamp has a magnificent, although maybe narrow vision of the world he creates - (earth is basically a planet covered by a District 9-like slum).  However with this vision, he paints a sci-fi version of the Occupy Movement.  The movie is, in a very Blomkamp-fashion, permeating with socio-political overtones.  Max's personal mission to find healing on Elysium becomes the hope of many for social revolution, to overthrow the wealthy, so that their hoarded assets may be shared by all on earth.  This element made the film relatable with a very current and modern cultural reference to 99%, but it's preachiness could be a turnoff to those who are not big fans of socialism.  There is also the level of commentary from Judeo-Christian beliefs and ancient Greek religious beliefs and, which separated Hades (the afterlife) into Elysium (heaven) and Tartarus (hell), or in this case, earth.  All-in-all, it's a well structured story, perhaps too well structured.  If you've seen the trailer, you've basically seen a condensed version of the whole movie, the general storyline is very predictable.

Matt Damon and Sharlto Copley fans will not be disappointed.  Their acting was excellent.  Damon successfully pulls off a determined anti-hero while Copley plays one of the most heartless and frightening villains you will see.  These two absolutely carry the film in terms of acting. Never a miss with these guys.  Jodie Foster on the other hand? Quite mediocre.

The filmmaking methods in general lend themselves well to telling the story.  Cinematography, editing, music, and sound mixing work seamlessly to create two beautifully juxtaposed worlds.  On earth you will see fast cuts, shaky camera, and the common feeling of grossness you get from a post apocalyptic type of world.  On Elysium you will see slow smooth cuts, tripod/dolly shots, and softer music.  Take notice of how the end brings the two together.  Although not as punctual as Blomkamp's previous composer, Clinton Shorter, Elysium's Ryan Amon does a great job to manipulate music to bring about an extreme level of discomfort and intensity.  Hollywood Reporter has a great article about how Blomkamp came to work with Amon.

If you're looking for a mind-blowing indie sci-fi flick, this is not your film.  Elysium is flawed, but well crafted, action-packed, incredibly gritty, intense, and very entertaining.  For those that want something with a little more meat and originality than the carbon-copy Marvel blockbusters, this is an excellent summer pick for you.