Director Neill Blomkamp makes another great film

“Elysium”

Directed by Neill Blomkamp

Rated R, 109 minutes

Director Neill Blomkamp has done it again, as his newest dystopian tale, “Elysium,” is an action packed sci-fi epic that offers a heroic tale of class warfare. The year is 2154 and the earth has become a barren shantytown thanks overpopulation and lack of resources. Former car thief Max [Matt Damon] is just trying to survive and has given up his criminal past, working at a robot factory while staying out of trouble. But after a radioactive accident at the plant, Max is giving some painkillers and told he will live for five more days.

Jodie Foster is serious about keeping her home safe

Max’s only hope is to somehow reach Elysium, a space station orbiting earth that inhabits the rich and famous. Every citizen of Elysium has a medical machine that can cure all diseases, allowing residents to seemingly live forever. The only problem, Elysium doesn’t allow visitors and random shuttle ships trying to reach the clean air and lush lands of Elysium are shot down and survivors are rounded up and sent back to earth. The person controlling access and entry to Elysium is Delacourt [Jodie Foster], and she has no qualms about destroying lives to save her home, but the president and council see a more peaceful solution to her violent tendency’s. One of those violent tendencies is an agent by the name of Kruger [Sharlto Copley]. Kruger is a straight up killing machine and takes care of Delacourt’s dirty work.

The best part of the film by far is Kruger

   The film really gets moving once Max stumbles across his old criminal buddies Julio [Diego Luna] and Spider [Wagner Moura], who offer him a chance at escaping to Elysium, but he has to return to his criminal ways. With nothing left to lose and a friend’s daughter in need of medical care, Max agrees and Spider’s men upgrade him, adding an exoskeleton and brain chip, allowing Max to fight robots hand-to-hand and download valuable information.

Max before he gets suited up

   Elysium works thanks to a likeable Damon as the anti-hero just trying to do the right thing, but really makes the film soar is the unhinged Kruger, who decimates everything in his path. His weapons provide a lot of gore [lots of bombs sticking to people and blowing them to bits], which was welcomingly unexpected and his mad dog mentality keeps the film moving along. Jodie Foster is decent as a conniving bitch and Alice Braga does her job as Max’s old friend and love interest, but the action and technology are the film’s best supporting acts.

   Blomkamp has directed two amazing films, and once again I’m very excited for his next project, as he has created a sci-fi action epic that fans will be talking about for years to come. If you liked "District 9," go see this movie! 

                                                The future is never good in the movies