Movie Review: Elysium

The year is 2154. The poor live on an overpopulated and polluted Earth and the rich live on the idyllic space station, Elysium. Got it? Alright then.

Starring Sharlto Copley, Matt Damon – must….resist….Team….America….parody and Jodie Foster. Yes, in that order. Written and directed by Neill Blomkamp of District 9 fame. Elysium is an innovative, sci-fi, action blockbuster with a brain.

Damon, who looks different enough to realize you’re not watching a, “Matt Damon,” movie, brings his movie star charisma and likeability to the role of Max Da Costa, the ex-con with a dream. It worries me that rapper, Eminem was once on Blomkamp’s list to play the part.

We endure as Max trudges through day-to-day life in the slums of Los Angeles, in the hopes to one day be able to buy his ticket to Elysium. When an accident gives him an finite deadline his plans are severely expedited.

Blomkamp, I’ve got to say; I love the way this kid’s mind works. His previous film, District 9, was famously known as a social commentary on apartheid and the social and political climate of Blomkamp’s native home, South Africa.

Elysium has a much broader scope, touching on universal issues such as class, health care and immigration, that isn’t so much as a predictor for the future but a reflection on the world, right now.

The very first time we see the awe-inspiring space station, Elysium, I can’t help but think of Halo, from the Microsoft franchise of the same name. This is no coincidence, as in 2005, Blomkamp, along with LOTR’s, Peter Jackson were tasked with bringing a Halo story to the big screen. With the project pronounced DOA in 2007, with Elysium, we may be seeing the pieces that Blomkamp had left over.

Sharlto Copley. Remember this name. You loved him as Wikus van der Merwe in Distric 9. Gave him the benefit of the doubt as Howling Mad Murdoch in the 2010’s A-Team, now get ready to fall in love/hate with him all over again as Elysium’s unhinged villain, Kruger.

Scorsese has his DiCaprio. Burton has his Depp. Blomkamp has his Copley.

Shartlo ignites as Kruger, a maniacal sleeper agent in the employ of Elysium. Torture. Rape. Crimes against humanity. It’s this casual flippancy with violence that is so unsettling and injects the character with such menace. The only gripe with the performance is that it is so big that you are sometimes jarred out of the action. But as I walked away, it was his lines I was quoting. His will be the performance that is remembered. Dare I say Golden Globe nom? I darest.

Jodie Foster, yes, the dual Academy Award winner, is the weakest link here. Her performance as the dictatorial, Jessica Delacourt, borders upon caricature. She does have some interesting notes on how to stop the boats. Take note, Aussie pollies.

William Fichtner does William Fichtner as only William Fichtner can, playing a deliciously elitist CEO. Alice Braga, Wagner Moura, Diego Luna all turn in solid performances.

There are some truly exciting set pieces. The data heist is a high point, employing camera work and techniques that are very Gears of War’esque. You’ll know it when you see it. This same visceral, kinetic technique is attempted later in the film but doesn’t quite come off.

The special effects are top notch. Mad props to the wizards at ILM. There are weapons and bio suits not seen on film before. People die. A lot. And well.

Finally, some genuine accents! After the atrocious, frankly insulting Australian accents in Del Torro’s, Rock’em Sock’em Robot flick, Pacific Rim. We get South African’s playing South African’s. We even get an Afrikaans nursery rhyme. Take that Danny Archer. Keep an eye out for the Springbok and SA flag being flown on Kruger’s shuttle. Blomkamp’s nod to home.

A pitch perfect soundtrack by newcomer Ryan Amon and a meticulous soundscape all help immerse you in this frighteningly, futuristic view of the world.

I didn’t love the ending. I see a lot of logistical issues with the choice but as this is a spoiler free zone, their secrets are safe with me.

Great to see on the big screen. Pre-order the blu-ray.

8.9 Exploding corpses.

Maaaaaaaatttt Daaaaaamon.

Dammit!