LA Movie Review- Elysium

In the year 2154 the poor live on Earth & the rich have left the planet in favor of living in a space habitat known as Elysium. This habitat provides superior medical technology capable of curing diseases. Matt Damon's character, who lives on Earth, is diagnosed with cancer & thus makes a series of decisions leading him on a mission to Elysium. Director Neill Blomkamp does an incredible job creating a science fiction film unlike anything I have seen before. Elysium is an intense, raw, action adventure thriller that pulls absolutely no punches. The story is strong & larger than life but Blomkamp's direction allows it to be grounded by emotion. It is a tough line to walk but Neill Blomkamp does it like a master. It is also the most visually stunning movie of the year. Every shot is filmed beautifully by the cinematographer. Matt Damon gives a good performance as a man who isn't ready to die & places himself in the fight for his life. The rest of the acting is good, but I felt Jodie Foster didn't give the best performance she was capable of. The movie benefits from a strong villain, though his accent at times is hard to understand. Nevertheless this villain is brutal on so many levels. This is a very cool film that also serves as commentary on healthcare, the first class vs the middle class, & immigration. Elysium is a fascinating adventure that has strong candidacy for 2013's finest film.
4.8/5