Elysium

— “Elysium” is an example of a good director whose talents don’t include making use of veteran actors or large budgets. Admittedly, I came to the film expecting it to surpass “District 9”, one of the better sci-films of the last few years. Unfortunately, it didn’t. Instead, it reminded me of “In Time” with more of a social conscience. I never really liked its proletarian hero (Matt Damon) whose motives were decidedly more selfish than based on helping the 99%. Worse, I may have been more sympathetic to Jodie Foster in spite of her inability to bring much depth the two-dimensional character she plays. The special effects are wonderful and it’s worth seeing as one of a group of dystopian films, some with more merit than others. If you must see it, wait for it to be streamed or on DVD, or choose instead to see something like “Blade Runner”, “Looper,” “A Clockwork Orange,” “12 Monkeys,” “Moon,” “Brazil,” “Minority Report,” “Children of Men,” “The Matrix,” “Robocop,” or “Mad Max” or “Road Warrior” first.

---

[2013. 109 min. Directed by Neill Blomkamp. Starring Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, and Sharito Copley.]
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/elysium-2013