From Neill Blomkamp, director of District 9 (2009) comes Elysium (2013). Set in the future where Earth has become over populated, the poor struggle to survive on a gloomy and almost unbearable planet whilst the rich thrive in perfection and immortality. Max (Matt Damon) struggles to leave his past behind and start a new life but after a bad turn of events, he must turn to crime one last time in order to save himself and humanity.
The beginning of the film shows a very different Matt Damon, he is no hero, he is a just regular human being. However, as the film continues to unfold he becomes the stand alone hero that everyone knows. Despite this, the film is still very enjoyable, the special effects incredible and the soundtrack omniscient. The film also contains some moments of comedy and features enough action and intense gore to make your toes curl but still manages to keep you on the edge of your seat. If the intense special effects and themes aren’t enough to convince an enthusiastic Sci-Fi fan, the gadgets featured will be. There is a vast collection of gadgets and futuristic technologies that are perhaps not too far off the agenda of mankind. However, you do not have to be a big fan of Sci-Fi to enjoy this feature at all, to the film boff on the other hand, Elysium is quite predictable in parts but this does not shatter the strength of the narrative.
It is clear that Blomkamp is attempting to convey a message to the audience about poverty and the struggle that it is. He stated that the film is “…about the third world trying to get into the first.”
Also starring Jodie Foster (The Silence of the Lambs), Sharlto Copley (District 9), Diego Luna (The Terminal), William Fichtner (The Dark Knight) and many more, you would be crazy to miss this.
Overall Rating: 4/5
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