Elysium

7

lasttimeisawSep 8, 2013

Watched this Blomkamp’s sophomore feature film in theater, to some extent I was underwhelmed by his universally-acclaimed debut DISTRICT 9 (2009, 7/10), it seems that his novelistic intention overrides his implementation, notably hisWatched this Blomkamp’s sophomore feature film in theater, to some extent I was underwhelmed by his universally-acclaimed debut DISTRICT 9 (2009, 7/10), it seems that his novelistic intention overrides his implementation, notably his screenplay (this time he is the sole writer for ELYSIUM), the premise is always rosy and aspiring, but in the Sci-Fi territory, if the writer cannot justify the surrealistic world he creates with a certain holistic perspective to cover obtrusive plot-holes which are unavoidable byproducts out of the limitation of one’s imagination, very likely bathos will be the consequence.

In ELYSIUM, setting in 2154, Blomkamp inherits his visual motifs from DISTRICT 9 (the skeletal robot resembles an agiler Prawn) and enlarges the cosmic extravaganza by erecting a pristine man-made extraterrestrial homeland for upscale class meanwhile the seething dystopian of a scuzzy and overpopulated earth is an upgraded version of the refugee camp for The Prawns in Johannesburg. Howsoever the film’s box office prospect (a tepid response from the critics and its North American income is also disheartening, $82,877,000 so far), it is a bold decision for the production company to invest and purvey a wunderkind’s second film with a costly budget (reported $115,000,000) for an original Sci-Fi actioner.

Accumulating an almost 4-times funds than DISTRICT 9, Blomkamp could summon Hollywood top-tier names to guarantee more tickets-buyers which backfires, however his South African kindred spirit Sharlto Copley continues undertaking a chief role as the brutal outcast ex-agent, whose ambition pans out to be even more vicious than the ostensible villain, the combo of Damon and Foster is a whimsical but diverting one, but due to the ill-fated procession of the story, they don’t even share any scenes together, Damon is always a good Samaritan without memorable charisma to single himself out and Foster caricatures herself to a routine militarist with bizarre accent.

All the earthbound stratum is comprised of Latinos (save Damon here), Moura, Braga and Luna is certified foil around Damon’s amenable hero, contrasts sheer with the high-and-mighty White race in Elysium, robot-like but dons haute couture, speaks French and enjoys a disease-free technology. The omnipotent machine stands out as the sole excuse for earthlings to go to Elysium (actually only for those who are sick or disabled), since the lucky immigrants who stow away from earth to there (19 minutes by aircrafts, a rather facile maneuver) will all be effortlessly captured and repatriated back to the globe, so why they make a fuss over risking their lives in an ill-fated journey? Also the entire re-programming and rebooting scheme is a heedless product of a wholesome mind and cursorily conducted for the sake of being assimilated as any of its same kind. Unfortunately there are many equivocal set pieces like this pervading the entire film which restrains its potential to be a bona fide awe-inspiring eye-opener.

But on the other hand, imagination is contingent on the real world where germinates all the possible routes to extend and maximize our capacity of creation, the world in ELYSIUM could be our worst nightmare comes true because it touches on the basis of our undying prejudices on individuality and the callousness and irrationality looming over the inexorable gap between the wealthy and poor, as I mentioned in my review of DISTRICT 9, Blomkamp will always be on my radar as the new blood in the massive assembly line, time is all he needs to hone up his expertise and mostly essentially is to be on the lookout for a distinctive screenplay, he will fabricate his own CHILDREN OF MEN (2006, 9/10) one day.… Expand

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7

csw12Oct 6, 2013

Though not as creative or executed as well as District 9, Neil Blomkamp provides another strong film to the sci-fiction genre. Even though the theme is nothing new, Elysium is a well paced action film that succeeds at sending a message.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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7

SpangleJul 23, 2014

This one is a little slow at the beginning and a tad overwhelming as we get adjusted to this futuristic world, but once everything kicks in, it is a really great thrill ride with great action sequences. In addition, the last twenty minutes orThis one is a little slow at the beginning and a tad overwhelming as we get adjusted to this futuristic world, but once everything kicks in, it is a really great thrill ride with great action sequences. In addition, the last twenty minutes or so are great and really make up for most of the missteps the film takes earlier on. The direction here from Neill Blomkamp is very strong and the acting from Matt Damon is solid as well. However, Sharlto Copley really dominates the screen here and did a phenomenal job in his supporting role. Now, there are certainly some things I have problems with how certain things happen and why certain characters would do something (nearly out of the blue some of their actions), but it is ultimately made up by the beautiful set design, the really cool weapons they trot out, the good action, and the great ending. Without those things going for it, this one would have really sufferred from it, but thankfully, the end result is a good one and the film as a whole is quite enjoyable. This one delivered everything I could have expected out of a film of this type.… Expand

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7

ivan_terribleAug 15, 2013

Matt Damon's performance was good as usual. Somehow the storyline was kind of slightly bland, not enough suspense but the action scenes were good. Maybe the background musics made a lot of different in certain scenes and i think that's whatMatt Damon's performance was good as usual. Somehow the storyline was kind of slightly bland, not enough suspense but the action scenes were good. Maybe the background musics made a lot of different in certain scenes and i think that's what this movie was lacking. Beautiful Elysium city design, good sci-fi movie. Overall I and my wife still happy and found the movie enjoyable on xtreme screen. It still worth our $18 tickets … Expand

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7

analogkid280Aug 11, 2013

Entertaining Sci-drama set in a dusty hopeless time. Clever tech fuels this movie with enough gas to get you to the end of the film but not much further. It certainly feels like Dist-9 2.0 That is not necessarily a bad thing though. UnlikeEntertaining Sci-drama set in a dusty hopeless time. Clever tech fuels this movie with enough gas to get you to the end of the film but not much further. It certainly feels like Dist-9 2.0 That is not necessarily a bad thing though. Unlike the 1.0 this movie has A list Hollywood actors and a hefty budget to give it a boost and it for the most part it works. The O' Brother politics bring the score down some though as it is a little blunt in some of its over the top view of current issues. Don't let that sway you though this is a good movie so go see it.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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7

impressionman76Aug 16, 2013

Matt Damon is good as usual, but I feel this movie while worth watching falls short of its full potential. While it had a great premise, film makers took a very generic action movie approach to way it was made. The effects and action scenesMatt Damon is good as usual, but I feel this movie while worth watching falls short of its full potential. While it had a great premise, film makers took a very generic action movie approach to way it was made. The effects and action scenes where very cool, but the lack of character development and personality made it hard to care very much about what was happening. Maybe see it as matinee or wait to see it on DVD. I give it 6.8.… Expand

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7

Iky009Jan 7, 2014

bom mais falta coerência no roteiro.

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7

DuvidgadolAug 15, 2013

I got a good laugh when they showed some of the Elysium reboot code. Is Elysium really run by a 32-bit IBM PC? The mnemonics were unmistakable. The action sequences were certainly decent.

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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7

python2000Jan 3, 2014

From the makers of District 9 comes this sci-fi action movie starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster. This movie had a lot of expectations to live up to because of how unique and clever District 9 was. Much like my reaction Man of Steel, I can'tFrom the makers of District 9 comes this sci-fi action movie starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster. This movie had a lot of expectations to live up to because of how unique and clever District 9 was. Much like my reaction Man of Steel, I can't really make up my mind. It did not live up to my expectations, but was a good movie overall.
All of the cast give good performances. Matt Damon is pretty good, Jodie Foster is pretty good (even if her character doesn't do much), Alice Braga is pretty good, Sharlto Copey is awesome. But what can you expect? He's awesome in everything, even when playing nerdy office workers/aliens. The special effects were very good, excusing Matt Damon's exoskeleton which sometimes looks like one of the 1960's Cybermen from Doctor Who, and the plots quite clever. It gets a bit straightforward in the last 40 minutes, but still good.
What really let the movie down was the action sequences. I had no idea what was going on in the final battle. It's a type of filming I've never seen before, it's not shaky cam it just changes angles too much. You're right next to Matt Damon's face. Then you're 25 meters away from him. Then you're looking down on him from up in the air. Then you're back right next to his face. Then you're a meter away from him. Then you're just behind him. And finally you're back up in the air looking down on him. All of these angles in the space of 20 seconds. The cameras not shaky, it's just changing position too much I have too come up with a name for this so that I can use it more in future. Unfortunately the action sequences are a large part of the movie. So it ruined a lot of scenes. But not the whole movie.
I enjoyed myself during Elysium mainly due to Sharlto Copey's amazing performance and the clever plot, but the strange filming style in the action sequences may have made it a slight disappointment.… Expand

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7

owen445xAug 15, 2013

I thought the movie was pretty decent and enjoyable. Would I rush to the store and buy this when it comes out on DVD/Blue Ray.. nope. The movie is something like it could actually happen in our near future and it builds up like the movie AreaI thought the movie was pretty decent and enjoyable. Would I rush to the store and buy this when it comes out on DVD/Blue Ray.. nope. The movie is something like it could actually happen in our near future and it builds up like the movie Area 51 did. Robot scenes were really cool and how they did the space station was pretty crafty, and don't get me wrong! This would be a super amazing rental, but you probably won't be watching this more than once or twice.… Expand

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7

shpostalAug 12, 2013

Hopes were high for this followup to the hit District 9, and in most areas it succeeds. "Elysium" is a sci-fi thriller with a current thread of politics running through it, this time universal health care for the privileged rich peopleHopes were high for this followup to the hit District 9, and in most areas it succeeds. "Elysium" is a sci-fi thriller with a current thread of politics running through it, this time universal health care for the privileged rich people who live on Elysium, a posh orbiting habitat for those who can afford it and all the advantages it offers, including machines that wipe out all disease, heal people instantly, etc.
On Earth, it's squalor and overcrowding. People do not have access to medicine or the new space age cures. One small band of shuttles tries to land on Elysium, but two are shot down, and the ones who are lucky enough to touch down are immediately deported by the cold and indifferent character played by Jodie Foster.
Matt Damon is the hero, and having been exposed accidently to a lethal dose of radiation fights to try to get to Elysium to save his own life.
This is the scenario, and on its own it's a good thriller. Like District 9 it looks very real, and the future Los Angeles is a very undesirable place, indeed. Those oversensitive to politics will carp, angry because the message of universal health care is right up front, as is the treatment of immigrants who are cruelly shot down.
If you can keep your political interest in check otherwise, it's a good movie and one of the best of the summer. It doesn't have quite the sympathetic punch District 9 had, but the cinematography is great and the acting first rate. "Elysium" may not be a blockbuster, but it's worth the price of admission.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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7

PStakhivAug 17, 2013

Elysium has an original setting, good plot, engaging twists, nice characters. Sounds good, but it didn't do well the action part, and this is an important one for this type of movies. Also the main villain is week. So, go see it, it's a goodElysium has an original setting, good plot, engaging twists, nice characters. Sounds good, but it didn't do well the action part, and this is an important one for this type of movies. Also the main villain is week. So, go see it, it's a good film with some minor problems… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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7

Voice0fReasonAug 18, 2013

The plot was fluid and the characters were great. Spider stood out the most for me as the strongest actor. Too bad he was a minor character with a major role in the film. The villains were hate able, but not to the extent of them becomingThe plot was fluid and the characters were great. Spider stood out the most for me as the strongest actor. Too bad he was a minor character with a major role in the film. The villains were hate able, but not to the extent of them becoming complete a$$holes. It wasn't the District 9 plot i was hopping for, the intelligent action movie, but it was a very complete film with no plotholes that I could think of.… Expand

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7

George-rootsAug 28, 2013

If "District 9" was an allusion to racism, them "Elysium" clearly represents elitism.

Neil Blomkamp brings us another Sci-Fi lacking the depth or integrity of "D9" but still gives us a solid entertaining story, Unfortunately however itIf "District 9" was an allusion to racism, them "Elysium" clearly represents elitism.

Neil Blomkamp brings us another Sci-Fi lacking the depth or integrity of "D9" but still gives us a solid entertaining story, Unfortunately however it doesn't really engage or come full circle until after the credits roll, only then does its appeal shine through.

The year 2154 all wealthy people have left the poor on an overpopulated, no resources left earth to live on Elysium, a space station that looks like a real estate's wet dream and all manner of disease can be cured within seconds.

Enter Max (Matt Damon) who after a fatal accident at work will try to get to Elysium by any means necessary, holding the keys to the future in the process whilst fighting off a harsh immigration suit (Jodie Foster) and her renegade hit man Kruger (Sharlto Copley).

Damon is always a hit and miss for me, he's worthy enough of the material; and brings a solid performance to a character I still don't really care for until the third act despite how much of his past is shown, Foster does well and is suitably casted for her role yet playing evil is new and comes off more awkward than serious. However Sharlto Copley shines as a villain with such vile eccentrics he steals the show period.

Other than that the movie is very well paced, being shorter would upset me and being longer would've felt far too stretched out, the FX look on a near 120 million dollar budget whereas again most blockbusters nowadays are costing the same or considerable more. but after everything I have said there's not a whole lot that blew me away and there's no real WOW factor, I wish could talk more positively about Elysium and that whole crossing the border thing really came off as an SNL parody than a serious plot point.

Final Verdict: After all is said and done, there's really nothing seriously wrong with Elysium, however there's nothing particular grand about it either considering the potential, nevertheless it's an enjoyable flick and here's hoping to Blomkamp's next outing is superior.… Expand

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7

omniscientAug 9, 2013

More style than substance, Elysium fails to be as thought-provoking as Blomkamp's District 9. Max Decosta's (Matt Damon) struggle to save his own life, much like many on Earth, seems to supersede what should've been Elysium's focus: toMore style than substance, Elysium fails to be as thought-provoking as Blomkamp's District 9. Max Decosta's (Matt Damon) struggle to save his own life, much like many on Earth, seems to supersede what should've been Elysium's focus: to restore equality and improve life on Earth.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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7

javi69-Aug 12, 2013

Movie was above average. Great special effects, great design. Had a very Halo vibe to it all. But the movie was very "paint by the numbers" and nothing really stood out. There weren't any moments of sheer awe or laughter or any other emotion.Movie was above average. Great special effects, great design. Had a very Halo vibe to it all. But the movie was very "paint by the numbers" and nothing really stood out. There weren't any moments of sheer awe or laughter or any other emotion. I would say def worth seeing but not in theaters, wait for Blu-ray.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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7

Jasonq76Aug 10, 2013

Elysium, an excellent blending of practical and digital effects. The world of 2150 is believable and authentic feeling, I do wish they had spent some more time with the Elysium people and their orbital habitat. The political messages weren'tElysium, an excellent blending of practical and digital effects. The world of 2150 is believable and authentic feeling, I do wish they had spent some more time with the Elysium people and their orbital habitat. The political messages weren't heavy handed but they certainly weren't subtle either and out of all the characters the Elysians were the most one dimensional. I found myself relating to all the characters and sympathizing with them except for the Armadyne CEO played by one of those great actors I can never remember the name of. He is a little too cookie-cutter corporate villain for me to care. The performances were decent, nothing special except for Sharlto Copley who is almost unrecognizable from his Wikus character in District 9 and a very strange warrior cat for sure. Speaking of District 9, there were lots of little threads from this film to that one. Love the horned beasts on the military vehicle and uniforms in both films. There are awesome guns and various types of big, wet, full body explosions via various guns, guns which bear a resemblance to all those great alien weapons deployed in D-9. All in all a very entertaining movie about technology and class warfare. Wish there had been a little more 1 percenter utopia in my 99 percenter dystopia. There is also a scene that is almost exactly like one in D-9, maybe you will catch it.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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7

mdubdubsAug 12, 2013

Yeah, the plot is superficial and a bit lazy but everything else...that's worth seeing. The concepts are solid and well executed. The world Blomkamp has created is ripe with potential. Special effects were on point, especially because theyYeah, the plot is superficial and a bit lazy but everything else...that's worth seeing. The concepts are solid and well executed. The world Blomkamp has created is ripe with potential. Special effects were on point, especially because they were used with restraint. The acting was way better than it needed to be. Max's character could have been played by anyone, but I'm glad it was bald cyborg Matt Damon. Sharlto Copley as Kruger is not the villain summer needs, he's the villain we deserve. He steals the movie. Bring your South African-slang dictionary. Good movie, I give it 7 exoskeletons out of 10.… Expand

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7

troberts92Aug 31, 2013

A brilliant concept that makes some edgy, controversial points right from the beginning. Absolutely loved District 9, I don't feel it quite tied together the characters as well in Elysium, finding Damon a little deadpan but I guess thatA brilliant concept that makes some edgy, controversial points right from the beginning. Absolutely loved District 9, I don't feel it quite tied together the characters as well in Elysium, finding Damon a little deadpan but I guess that worked. Good, but not great.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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7

AlexProductionsSep 7, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Elysium, set 2154, is a futuristic sci-fi film featuring Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, and Sharlto Copley. From the same director of District 9, Elysium displays the corruption of planet earth, pretty much the same way all movies show future earth. Using overpopulation, fires, and riots, on the destroyed streets and buildings, Elysium was not as original as I would’ve hoped.

The rich don't have to live with this though. For a certain price, you can buy your way on to the "perfect" planet. On Elysium, there is no disease, the freshest air, and everyone is rich. Throughout the film, we follow Max (Matt Damon), who has five days to live due to radiation poisoning. As for Elysium, they do have a president, but Delacourt (Jodie Foster), pretty much runs the planet and makes orders against the laws of Elysium. Max gets special gear installed into his body making him a "super human" and battles his way to Elysium for a hopeful cure.

Though the film kept me entertained with its solid fight scenes and great acting from Damon and Copley, it didn't seem like anything new in this category of movies. Jodie Foster was really insignificant in the film and her role could have been played by any actress or even actor as far as that is concerned. I will say that at first, I wasn't a fan of the ending, but it really kept me thinking after the near 2 hour film ended.

Even though Max died in the end, I realized that he died happily, knowing his death was for the greater good of saving humanity on planet earth. In the end he found his calling and significance of his life’s impact on others. I was really into the movie, and I felt like I was in a game at some scenes following Max during gun battles. Sometimes the camera would get so shaky though that the audience could lose focus of Max, and could not follow him or any character for that matter on the screen. There were some points in the movie that were in slow motion. As Max’s gun was being fired, the audience could see his emotion in the scene, and follow the bullet shot.

Overall the film kept me captivated and really made me think about what the world will be like as I grow older. I went into Elysium expecting a rather predictable ending, and I was actually surprised with some of the twists and turns the film took. Elysium was one of those fun to watch movies that leaves you thinking about the ending on your way out of the theater.… Expand

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7

FedelcaNov 6, 2013

Estaba que explotaba para ir a ver esta película: no fue lo que esperaba, pero fue aceptable. El lenguaje cinematográfico del director Neill Blomkamp se hace respetar alrededor del filme siendo, de alguna manera muy característico de suEstaba que explotaba para ir a ver esta película: no fue lo que esperaba, pero fue aceptable. El lenguaje cinematográfico del director Neill Blomkamp se hace respetar alrededor del filme siendo, de alguna manera muy característico de su parte. A los amantes de la ciencia ficción, es una cita requerida, ya que Blomkamp es un maestro en lo que respecta ese género. Si bien no es tan buena como District 9 (la anterior película del director y debut del mismo) pero es una película de ciencia ficción de nivel superior. La historia es bastante original pero es bastante predecible; si quieres ver buenas escenas de acción gráficas: ésta es una película que puede ser de tu agrado.… Expand

0 of 11 users found this helpful011

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7

pgreensOct 5, 2013

It depends upon WHY you want to see a movie. Do you want stunning eye candy? Wanna get lost in a gritty sci fi future? This is the movie for you. HOWEVER...If you want good acting (Jodie Foster was surprisingly, distractingly bad) a goodIt depends upon WHY you want to see a movie. Do you want stunning eye candy? Wanna get lost in a gritty sci fi future? This is the movie for you. HOWEVER...If you want good acting (Jodie Foster was surprisingly, distractingly bad) a good plot, and to come out of the theater having learned something, this aint for you. There were a lot of unanswered questions.

Go for the beautiful action and nothing more.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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7

Casual-CriticOct 9, 2013

Good sci-fi movie, solid action, not much else to say. It'll keep you interested enough to watch to the end, then you'll sit back and go "hey, not bad".

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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7

dodds44Nov 26, 2013

I was a tad disappointed with this film, I will not lie, I'm a big fan of District 9 and I feel that this film relies too much on a familiar story filled with cliches. But with that said its still very well done, the direction is solid andI was a tad disappointed with this film, I will not lie, I'm a big fan of District 9 and I feel that this film relies too much on a familiar story filled with cliches. But with that said its still very well done, the direction is solid and the subtext within the story is present but its not as effective as it could have been. The acting is decent enough with an always great performance by Matt Damon and Sharlto Copely makes for a great villain, while others like Jodie Foster aren't utilized quite enough, she does a good enough job but she's upstaged by the previous actors. The visuals in this film are fantastic, even surpassing District 9 in that department, the best way I can describe the visuals is very hyper kinetic, its very fluid but always keeps the viewer in the action, especially in the fights between Damon and Copely. Overall, I was disappointed but its still a solid summer sci-fi action film.… Expand

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7

WheresTheBeefNov 27, 2013

This movie is predictable and the character development is weak, the action and stunning special effects should be enough to keep the audiences entertained, and the critics pleased. A good movie overall.

0 of 8 users found this helpful08

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7

eagleeyevikingDec 24, 2013

Although it's lack of creativity and some poor acting stops it from being perfect, Elysium has dazzling visuals, great characters and is much more thought-provoking than most other sci-fi flicks.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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7

MattG_123Jan 1, 2014

It isn't as good as District 9, but that doesn't mean it isn't good at all, it's actually a very good action film. The story is pretty good, the performances aren't great, but what shines are the visual effects and just the slow motionIt isn't as good as District 9, but that doesn't mean it isn't good at all, it's actually a very good action film. The story is pretty good, the performances aren't great, but what shines are the visual effects and just the slow motion moments are exhillerating.

Elysium gets a 7.3/10… Expand

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7

Viper8787Jul 26, 2014

A really cool concept that could have been executed a bit better but still a really entertaining movie. Matt Damon and Jodie Foster kill there roles in this movie. Some great visuals and action scenes to keep you entertained. A bit slow inA really cool concept that could have been executed a bit better but still a really entertaining movie. Matt Damon and Jodie Foster kill there roles in this movie. Some great visuals and action scenes to keep you entertained. A bit slow in the middle but its a good average action movie.… Expand

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7

NotoriousFraudDec 22, 2014

In 2009, new up and coming film maker Neill Blomkamp wrote and directed 'District 9', arguably one of the best science fiction films of the last decade. Elysium is a very good hard 'R' action movie packed with Mech suits, badass guns like theIn 2009, new up and coming film maker Neill Blomkamp wrote and directed 'District 9', arguably one of the best science fiction films of the last decade. Elysium is a very good hard 'R' action movie packed with Mech suits, badass guns like the modded Ak-47 blowing apart robots with explosive bullets and the 'Chemrail' that literally tears apart it's target, when the villains face gets blown off by a grenade you get the idea that theres some good stuff in here. Matt Damon as the main character 'Max' is good but every time sharlto Copley shows up on screen as the villain 'Kruger', he completely chews the scenery along with a thick South African accent and an assortment of tricks (or bombs) up his sleeve to take down his targets. Neill Blomkamp shows once again that he can make a thrilling visual treat packed with all sorts of exciting stuff.… Expand

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7

vikesh2206Nov 10, 2014

Although it's lack of creativity and some poor acting stops it from being perfect, Elysium has dazzling visuals, great characters and is much more thought-provoking than most other sci-fi flicks.

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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7

DCEdmondsNov 13, 2014

"Elysium" 10 Scale Rating: 7.5 (Very Good) ...

The Good: As usual, Blomkamp has a great and interesting idea. Very creative and full of social commentary without ramming it down your throat. Damon and Foster do a great job as adversaries"Elysium" 10 Scale Rating: 7.5 (Very Good) ...

The Good: As usual, Blomkamp has a great and interesting idea. Very creative and full of social commentary without ramming it down your throat. Damon and Foster do a great job as adversaries despite spending little screen time together. The gritty backdrop (the same for District 9) of life on Earth vs. the peaceful bliss that is Elysium was an excellent contrast.

The Bad: The action scenes could have been better. Far too much shaky cam and fast movement so that you're not always sure what happened. Sharlto Copley, Foster's main enforcer and one of the main villains in the film, was a little over-the-top and was more interesting when he didn't say much.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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7

Ajneb97Jun 4, 2015

La verdad es que Elysium es una pelicula entretenida, no es que digamos una excelente pelicula, pero te hace pensar en el futuro de la humanidad y como la sociedad sigue siendo exactamente la misma pero con un mayor entendimiento de laLa verdad es que Elysium es una pelicula entretenida, no es que digamos una excelente pelicula, pero te hace pensar en el futuro de la humanidad y como la sociedad sigue siendo exactamente la misma pero con un mayor entendimiento de la tecnologia. Le doy un 7/10… Expand

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7

Epik_NinnjaMay 23, 2015

Elysium is a solid sci-fi action movie with some rogh edges. The action is always intense and the CGI is fantastic. It's also a quite creative movie (I like the exo-suit like things) that has good acting. I was still a bit disappoited withElysium is a solid sci-fi action movie with some rogh edges. The action is always intense and the CGI is fantastic. It's also a quite creative movie (I like the exo-suit like things) that has good acting. I was still a bit disappoited with it. I'm not sure how I expected it to be better (meaning in what ways) but it just isn't quite as good as it looks, I guess. I recommend it to all sci-fi action fans, just not strongly.… Expand

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7

EpicLadySpongeFeb 22, 2016

Elysium is not as good as you wanted it to be, (because really... how many times do I have to say this in every review?), but it's pretty decent for such a pair of genres stuck into one movie.

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7

d0vla11Dec 6, 2020

A really good movie, rewatched it last night and reminded myself that it's another successful film in sci-fi genre.

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7

mattkerr494Apr 8, 2018

Watched Mar 31, 2018

Matt Kerr’s review published on Letterboxd :
I love the setting and the premise, the execution could have been better though - also, Jodie Foster I know you are a better actress than this!

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7

ErikTheCriticSep 29, 2018

The film is touching, thrilling and powerful. The effects are great, the acting was solid, and everything was there. It has a strong heart and it's definitely a recommended sci-fi.

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7

AWESOM-0Jan 14, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Good movie and well acted. The the climax is a little too Independence Day unrealistic to make this a superb movie, but it’s still very enjoyable.… Expand

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7

JJ2FAS4UDec 30, 2021

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6

jeremypAug 18, 2013

It's an interesting movie for 60 odd minutes. Road Warrior meets Brave New World. Then as usual in these kinds of movies instead of really trying to come up with a good ending they go all predictable and silly. There's your basic hero versusIt's an interesting movie for 60 odd minutes. Road Warrior meets Brave New World. Then as usual in these kinds of movies instead of really trying to come up with a good ending they go all predictable and silly. There's your basic hero versus villain mano a mano endless fist fight. There's Matt Damon looking like something out of "Falling Skies," and Jodi forgetting which accent she's supposed to be using. Frankly from what I see of the 99.9% I'd have dropped a virus on them, waited, then repopulated. However Jodi didn't get to be boss.… Expand

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6

JamesLAug 18, 2013

About half way through the movie, I thought this is much better than I expected. We had a an original plot and it looked like we were headed to a thoughtful climax. But no, we had to slide back to the action, shoot them up bs that every filmAbout half way through the movie, I thought this is much better than I expected. We had a an original plot and it looked like we were headed to a thoughtful climax. But no, we had to slide back to the action, shoot them up bs that every film seems to collapse to in the second half. They wasted this promising film for more silly gunfire and fight scenes which we have all seen a million times. Why, I don't know.… Expand

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6

TVJerryAug 13, 2013

As expected in movieworld future, our planet is an overcrowded, polluted wasteland. The rich and lucky have evacuated to a beautiful man-made space station and earnest Earthling Matt Damon must get there. Like his last movie (District 9),As expected in movieworld future, our planet is an overcrowded, polluted wasteland. The rich and lucky have evacuated to a beautiful man-made space station and earnest Earthling Matt Damon must get there. Like his last movie (District 9), director Neill Blomkamp has created a cool futuristic world with neat gadgets, interesting concepts and gritty edges. The plot lacks originality, the pacing is OK and some of the action works. While it's never thrilling, Blomkamp's vision makes it visually appealing.… Expand

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6

nafeesDec 2, 2013

had great potential to be one the best sci-fi. had a great concept, awesome moral story.
But unfortunately bad execution and very poor script.
I would keep in a the margin of the positive note with solid acting from the only performer Matthad great potential to be one the best sci-fi. had a great concept, awesome moral story.
But unfortunately bad execution and very poor script.
I would keep in a the margin of the positive note with solid acting from the only performer Matt Daemon and very good concept and dilemma of our world.
Hope to see it remade some day into a great one with 'Good' script.… Expand

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6

BikerjamesAug 19, 2013

Even though the movie has flaws, it kept me entertained for a couple of hours and it looks great, so I give it a pass. Matt Damon was very good in the lead, and overall the acting was good with the exception of Jodie Foster. Her performanceEven though the movie has flaws, it kept me entertained for a couple of hours and it looks great, so I give it a pass. Matt Damon was very good in the lead, and overall the acting was good with the exception of Jodie Foster. Her performance was surprisingly wooden for an actress of her caliber. Also, be prepared to hear the phrase "THAT's what I'm talking About!" during the fight scenes. Yes, apparently they still say that silly phrase 150 years from now. In some cases the technology is worse than what we have now, especially the robot voices. The GPS in my car has a clearer voice than the robots and instrumentation in this film. The biggest flaw of the film was the bad guy "Kruger". His acting was fine, but his accent was so thick I couldn't understand half of what he said. Also the theme of the movie, with earth being split in the future between the haves and the have nots has been done many times. Still, the pacing was good, Matt Damon was great, and the look of the film great.… Expand

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6

Knicksfan7Aug 21, 2013

Good acting by most, great story, good action. Some action scenes were a bit excessive with the blood and carnage, and there were a few corny moments but overall it was a good film. Nowhere's near perfect but that's never expected in a movieGood acting by most, great story, good action. Some action scenes were a bit excessive with the blood and carnage, and there were a few corny moments but overall it was a good film. Nowhere's near perfect but that's never expected in a movie these days. I give Blomkamp props though, he's got some stones for the topics and issues he touched in this film. Definitely not as good as Blomkamps other sci-fi flick District 9 but it was still a good film overall. I enjoyed myself. Give it a shot if you enjoy sci-fi with a good story and good acting. 6.5/10… Expand

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6

appabendOct 24, 2013

Elysium is... okay...

It's not that bad, but it's not that good either. I'm a bit surprised in how short this movie is (an hour and a half) which is a shame because the other 30 minutes could be put for some nice character building. TheElysium is... okay...

It's not that bad, but it's not that good either. I'm a bit surprised in how short this movie is (an hour and a half) which is a shame because the other 30 minutes could be put for some nice character building.

The movie tells us the story of two different worlds: The Earth in which it turned into slums that is filthy, dirty, and is not nice living in there, and Elysium, which is basically the Citadel of the Mass Effect games filled with nice peoples, nice healthy environment, and the tool of god that is capable of curing any kinds of disease including death itself. Grim Reapers will be very disappointed.

Everyone on Earth obviously wanted to live on Elysium but they can't live there because... because the peoples on Elysium are rich peoples and the peoples on Earth are poor peoples.

The social commentary of this movie creates a very interesting debate including the fact that Elysium has THOUSANDS of these tools of god that prevents the death itself and yet no one has the attmept to bring some to at least every hospital on Earth. Instead, they supply all of these things to EVERY HOUSE in Elysium instead of just the hospitals. Why? Because rich peoples are dicks I guess.

Oh and they characterize rich peoples as a bunch of elegant sods that hates everything on Earth. When someone from Earth talks to them, they order the man from Earth to literally shut their mouth with their hands. Why? Because rich peoples are dicks.

And even though peoples on Earth are basically capable of getting into Elysium manually using space shuttles, the authorities of Elysium doesn't want them to come there because... rich peoples are dicks... and they even had the balls to DESTROY the ships that are coming from Earth to Elysium! Why? Because RICH PEOPLES ARE DICKS!

And by god this movie is shoving that moral lesson right up on our brain's ass. WE GET IT! Rich peoples are dicks, but all of those nice rich peoples will be very offended especially those that are nice to poor peoples.

This is already pretty long. So to keep it short, I didn't like the story that much, the characters aren't that interesting but they are relatable to say in the least, Sharlto Copley as the villain really kicks some serious ass, Matt Damon is... just fine... and that's pretty much it.

The action scenes are fine. I like Shaky Cam when it's done right and to add some sense of realism and a life of the movie (Man of Steel) and I hate it when it's just shaky and disorienting (Gamer), but this one is just fine. At least you can make sense of what's going on. So with shaky cam, I guess the brain is also playing out with the action. Maybe that's why I like it.

Basically it's an okay movie. I didn't like it that much but go give it a watch and see if you're more satisfied than I was.… Expand

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6

AlienSpaceBatsAug 30, 2013

Showcases a few cool setpieces but on the whole Elysium felt messy and predictable. Many plot points follow District 9's precisely and before the halfway mark, the film enters generic, heavy-handed action movie territory.

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6

Tss5078Feb 6, 2014

From the Writer/Director of District 9, comes Elysium, a futuristic tale that focuses on the inequality of wealth. Much like in his first film, Neill Blomkamp is examining a modern problem with a futuristic story, and once again, he isn'tFrom the Writer/Director of District 9, comes Elysium, a futuristic tale that focuses on the inequality of wealth. Much like in his first film, Neill Blomkamp is examining a modern problem with a futuristic story, and once again, he isn't offering any solutions. As with District 9, Blomkamp is showing how an unsolved issue, left to it's own devices, will eventually cause chaos. In 2154, Earth is overpopulated and in ruins. The rich have built a utopian society on the largest space station ever conceived, and as you may have guessed, it's called Elysium. The story focuses on Max, an orphan and ex-con, who has always dreamed of living in paradise on Elysium. His plans to earn his way take a dramatic turn, when he is injured in an accident at work. Max knows he'll never survive on Earth and the only way to save his life is to get some of the advanced medical treatment available on Elysium. The two stories are very different, but the setting could have been exactly the same. The story itself was pretty good, there was a lot more action then in District 9, yet the similarities are unmistakable. Matt Damon stars and played the role he was asked to play. Max had a lot of potential to be an interesting character, perhaps one with an agenda, instead he was written as this dumb guy, who was anything but a savior to the people of Earth. Max was out to save himself and did what was necessary to survive, but he should have been more. The people all turned to Max to help solve a greater problem, but all he cared about was himself. Jodie Foster also stars, but has a surprisingly small role, that definitely did not fit her personality. Much like District 9 before it, the story of Elysium is used as a forum for the Writers agenda. The two stories are very different, but the technology, locations, and even several cast members are the same. The result is a slightly better movie than District 9, that will give you an eerie feeling of deja vu throughout.… Expand

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6

ricksrosesSep 12, 2013

I find this movie a bit conglomerated in its story line and just average acting special effects are pretty good... This is a o k movie and worth seeing.

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6

HatesauceAug 10, 2013

[Edited for spelling] I found the movie to be okay. The technical side of the film was something to expect from Blomkamp and his crew. The fight scenes felt really unnecessarily fast and shakey, to the extent I could see people sitting[Edited for spelling] I found the movie to be okay. The technical side of the film was something to expect from Blomkamp and his crew. The fight scenes felt really unnecessarily fast and shakey, to the extent I could see people sitting forward in their theater seats as if to better process what they were actually seeing.

The highlights of the film for me was Wagner Moura's performance as Spider, along with Sharlto Copley's rendition of a psychotic mercenary. Ultimately the Musical Score composed by Ryan Amon was absolutely brilliant and drove much of if not all of the emotion for the film.

The character development was lackluster and the plot was simply bland. I was waiting for that killer twist like in District 9 (which is by far a more superior film). Unfortunately for Elysium, I experienced almost no emotional attachment to the characters which made the movie feel far less powerful than it could or should have been. 6 out of 10 for this one.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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6

Nesbitt10Dec 14, 2013

"Elysium" is the second feature film from South African writer/director Neill Blomkamp, whose 2009's "District 9" was one of the few recent Sci-fi/Fantasy films that rightfully deserves the title of visionary. Here, Blomkamp delivers a less"Elysium" is the second feature film from South African writer/director Neill Blomkamp, whose 2009's "District 9" was one of the few recent Sci-fi/Fantasy films that rightfully deserves the title of visionary. Here, Blomkamp delivers a less astounding effort, but an entertaining and appealing socially conscious bit of futurism made on a much larger scale than its $30 million predecessor. However, unlike "District 9," the story of "Elysium" gets lost in battle once the weapons open fire without an exit plan in its mesmerizing futuristic landscape.

In 2154, the earthly population is split into two camps. The rich live in the luxurious space station Elysium, where the atmosphere is so pure that diseases are nonexistent. All those who cannot afford to reside in Elysium, must continue to existence on the contaminated soil of Earth. One of its inhabitants is Max (Matt Damon), a former criminal, who now works a routine job at a factory that produces security robots for Elysium. One day at work, Max absorbs a lethal amount of radiation, and he is given a bottle of pills from his employer to ease his pain for the few days he has left to live. With his life on the line, Max agrees to take on a daunting mission that if successful, will not only save his life, but could bring equality to these polarized worlds.

Max and his team attempt to kidnap and download financial information from the brain of John Carlyle (William Fichtner), the CEO of Max's former employer. Instead, they download evidence of a coup being planned by Secretary of Defense Delacourt (Jodie Foster), a cold-hearted official in the Elysium government who will do anything to protect Elysium from the unwelcome masses.

At a compact 109 minutes, "Elysium" is great-looking entertainment that might have reached its lofty expectations with a longer cut that would allow characters the space needed to develop back stories and expand. Damon’s performance manages to humanize Max to a certain degree, but “Elysium” suffers from some hammy performances, most notably Copley as the video game like villain Kruger. Instead of devoting time to character development and the juxtaposition of the two populations involving associated conflicts, Blomkamp decides to take the action route. The second half of the movie resorts to adrenaline-driven action which grows increasingly tedious with the use of a shaky cam that only leads to a sense of nausea.

As in "District 9," Blomkamp shows a wizardly eye who gets the most out of the visual effects, making sure CG images have the proper movement and texture to blend seamlessly with live-action and practical elements. The CGI effects however, while highly impressive, only take us so far, and offer only diminishing returns. Blomkamp's universe is a fascinating place containing interesting ideas, but there's far too much here to satisfactorily explore in its brief run time. Despite falling short as a social commentary and suffering from tonal severity, “Elysium” is most certainly visually stimulating.… Expand

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6

ThegodfathersonAug 10, 2013

In the split universe that is Neill Blomkamp's summer action movie "Elysium," the 'haves' live, quite literally, a world above the 'have-nots.' And what the 'haves' have, on their pain-free, protected ring-world space station, is an opulentIn the split universe that is Neill Blomkamp's summer action movie "Elysium," the 'haves' live, quite literally, a world above the 'have-nots.' And what the 'haves' have, on their pain-free, protected ring-world space station, is an opulent lifestyle facilitated by jealously guarded technology. Aboard the titular space colony that is "Elysium," bio-medical scanner/repairer tanning-beds confer near-immortality to the privileged. The security personnel can closely monitor Earthly activities almost anywhere. Humanoid robot police tightly control borders, restricting human movement. And corporate executives rocket about in dark window-tinted space shuttles with Bugatti-coachwork. This is luxury life in the year 2145. If these seem allegorical to present-day conflicts over universal health care, freedom of information, immigration policy and ubiquitous surveillance, you are not wrong. But writer-director Blomkamp didn't want a heavy social justice message to get in the way of the film's popcorn munch-inspiring action. Down on the rough and ruined planet, a good but flawed man, Max (Matt Damon) must find his way to the privileged orbiting citadel in order to save his own life. In the process he will save much more and, paradoxically, lose much more. But first he must make it through badass Kruger, played by Sharlto Copley, who starred in Blomkamp’s breakthrough film "District 9." "Elysium's" Kruger is part Terminator, part "Star Wars" bounty hunter, and part ex-Special Forces-turned mercenary. Outrageous explosions, "snarkily-spun" sci-fi tropes, and bloody combat frequently punctuate this summer action picture. But the movie has a strong heart. There are subtle, surprisingly mature love stories: between mother and child; brothers in arms; a deep but platonic friendship. It's a tribute to the excellent cast that they are able to surface the love so that it reads so strong between all the flash-bangs, blood and breakneck chase scenes. "Elysium" is a cautionary tale about what happens if all the good gear winds up closely-held by the elites of society. Ironically, here in our real world, the clear trend has been toward technology as a widely self-proliferating and disruptively democratizing force. But sometimes, that doesn't happen without a fight: witness ObamaCare vs. the "wealth-o-rati." And ubiquitous tech doesn't come without the possibility of abuses: witness United States' NSA over-reach, Facebook dossier-compilation and Google micro-targeting. In "Elysium" the fight gets personal. Its paradoxical plot hinges on a lethal, yet life-saving, software download, on the person (Max) who must carry it, and on the powerful woman who craves control of it: Jodie Foster, who portrays 'Delacourt', the 108 year-old protector of the privileged space-paradise, is in real life concerned about the current state of Earth's real citizens. "Elysium's" subtle social justice relationship to Blomkamp's earlier social sci-fi movie "District 9. Elysium's" 22nd century tech is marvelous in the original sense of the word. Of course, it's inconsistent if you have nanotechnology that heals people in seconds, you don't need big guns to kill them but who cares? The shuttles are cool and only the nerdiest among us (me) will question their impossible propulsion. Blomkamp first-drafted "Elysium" as a sort-of graphic novel. It was a remarkably detailed roadmap for the film, right down to lead character Max's bulked-up, shaved-down, tattooed-all-around appearance. One gets the impression that Blomkamp might have started out to make a funnier, more satirical film, but realized the heart of the story lay in the darkness of human cruelty. The films R rating is deserved; there's a lot of blood and guns and fisticuffs and swearing of oaths. But "Elysium's" dystopian future is still a long ways off. Younger viewers have time to grow into seeing it and it’s important that they do. This film will remain relevant for a long time to come.… Expand

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6

greygooseOct 31, 2013

The visuals are fantastic, and the action is well directed and executed. I was disappointed with the set up, which felt like a TV show recap. And really District 9 was so good, I guess this could only be a let down. But it looks good and getsThe visuals are fantastic, and the action is well directed and executed. I was disappointed with the set up, which felt like a TV show recap. And really District 9 was so good, I guess this could only be a let down. But it looks good and gets moving along nice enough. It gets points for avoiding a PG-13, 3D treatment, and set up for a sequel. Still, the script is lacking.… Expand

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6

Makko_MaceSep 1, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. In all honestly this movie was pretty damn poor.

I spent several hours ranting about the flaws with the people I saw it with, so I've kind of drained by angry rant reserves, but this is what I remember most.

There were many glaring flaws, and out right stupid systems, that made absolutely no sense and were just thrust at the reader. Many events added little to the plot and characters, and never really went anywhere.

The love story:

The romance was cliche, and repeatedly forced on the viewer through flashbacks to scenes they had just seen, I mean I didn't forget every line of dialogue over the past thirty minutes, its not like I need to see it all again.. jesus. The promises to get there someday, I mean sure that would be okay in a Disney film, but that level of sap is pretty bad what in seems to try to be a political sci-fi action thriller.

Matt Damons job:

Not to mention it never goes anywhere... but I could spend a long time trying to analyze just why this part sucked, but its really not worth it, as I'm sure someone else has done it much better than I could.
One of the biggest problems was... the world made no sense. Why was Matt Damon even employed in a factory cranking out human like robots, who were immune to the radiation he contracted? Just make a batch of robots and fire everyone... jesus, why are you using slow, radiation and fatigue prone human workers? You are literally producing tens of thousands of super effective, tireless workers on site..

It would have taken one line of something like "you're all lucky the government subsidizes us using humans!" or "You should be happy these things are more expensive to run than you are, or we'd just cut you out of the loop" and that would have added much more depth to the world, with the over taxed earth government, and the greedy soulless corporations just wanting to make a profit.

Instead we're left to try and fill in the gaps ourselves, or just feel dismayed at the lack of depth in what could have been a great world.

The whole med pod free health care runs fiasco:

The illegals boarding the shuttles and flying up to Elysium, then jumping out and running into houses was beyond contrived. Apparently, this was a regular occurance, yet no one in Elysium thought to perhaps start tracking the shuttles with their crazy space-radars and maybe have their huge Droid force waiting for them on the ground?

Assuming this was beyond them for whatever reason, you could either put some damn locks on the houses and make the windows out of something other than glass?!?! Idon't know about you but If I was somehow rich enough to live in the heaven like paradise of an orbital resort, I'd probably invest in some stronger windows after the third time some panicked disease ridden plebeians smashed through my sitting room window with my own chaise-lounge.

Or, if you don't want to ruin the look of your house, why the hell are there med pods in every house? How often are you dying of cancer, or need to be 10 years younger? Every other day? Jesus, I mean, I could see using it at most every few moths... and only then if you were deeply neurotic. Just have a couple med booth facilities lying around, and just put a lock on the damn door... jesus.

The entire DARPA arsenal:

Basically the entire weaponry line up looked like it had been put together by 14 year olds who got a hold of a DARPA concepts slideshow, and thought "Wow this is cool" and then spent tens of millions on CGI, banking on the pseudo realism of their awesome future guns to carry the entire film.

Jodie Foster:

Who looked at the finished product, and thought "Boy, I'm sure glad Jodie's in this movie!" I mean.. christ, from the acting, to the dubbed french, to the poor writing of her character, I don't understand why any of this made it through to the final cut.

The Exo skeltons"

Why were these in the film? There were only two points where they did anything besides look cool, and that was when Matt Damon punches a droid to death, and when Kruger opens a door. Neither of these had any significance to the plot, Damon could have used a gun, or just ran it over with the car, or a million other things, Kruger could have used a freaking lightsaber or a melty grenaded and achieved the same result. Yet another "this looks cool, lets add it" situation.

The battle on Elysium:

What the hell happened to all the droids we'd seen earlier? Why was there no security? How could three deranged mercs take down the entire HQ of space command?

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The med pod ships:
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Why did they have these huge medical ships full of medpods just sitting around? Since everyone in Elysium had one in their house... I hit the Character limit, and I'm just getting started. I could spend so long on why this movie is childish, and inane, District 9 was thought provoking and made sense, the explosions weren't the plot, the world made sense.

6/10, only for the CGI.… Expand

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6

dougaussieAug 19, 2013

Matt gives us a human if flawed hero while foster may have been the badguy but lacked weight and screen time, you would expect a verbal confrontation between the two but it never comes. pity. I like the district 9 style but elysium itselfMatt gives us a human if flawed hero while foster may have been the badguy but lacked weight and screen time, you would expect a verbal confrontation between the two but it never comes. pity. I like the district 9 style but elysium itself felt like it was just a bunch of estates with no people. The south african bad guy was too two dimensional, he takes the woman and daughter, why, suddenly their all on a ship bound for space, what a stretch. Are they trying to say we who live in the west are elysium keeping out the masses who live in the poor 3rd world, i feel bad, no i don't. A lot of people would rate this sci fi pretty good but i'm afraid when you break it down it falls down.… Expand

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6

ElucidateSep 29, 2013

Visually excellent and carrying great potential, Elysium is nonetheless too idealistic and too indulged with social commentary to work as an effective sci-fi presentation.

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6

psyberdelicDec 20, 2013

Generic dystopian action flick but worth the rental. Definitely looks like District 9. I could only partially understand what the South African bad guy was saying. Didn't really matter though it was obvious what was happening. SomeGeneric dystopian action flick but worth the rental. Definitely looks like District 9. I could only partially understand what the South African bad guy was saying. Didn't really matter though it was obvious what was happening. Some interesting ideas and decent CGI. Plot was overly simplistic.… Expand

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6

CereldiAug 15, 2013

If you're walking into the theater expecting a district 9, please walk the opposite direction. D9 does a much better job telling you the same exact theme and message. That being said Elysium still has entertainment value and the technologyIf you're walking into the theater expecting a district 9, please walk the opposite direction. D9 does a much better job telling you the same exact theme and message. That being said Elysium still has entertainment value and the technology featured throughout the movie is a hot slice of good old science fiction pie. If anything the surroundings and settings served more of a character than the protagonists themselves. At a point I found myself caring more about the side characters such as Spider than I did about Max (Damon). I felt Max was simply the vehicle taking me through the plot, except when he gets a nice go-pro angle camera and tears stuff up with his exo-suit. It feels incredibly unrealistic though that an everyday man could all of a sudden have the fighting experience to take on spec ops soldiers just because he has an exo suit. I won't go into detail but with the way I see it Kruger (Copley) not only steals the show, but by all logical means should have complete tactical supremacy against any opponent. So you know what, I take back what I said earlier. If you expect to see D9 (aka Copley being a thug) then this movie IS for you, because lets be honest there's merit in rooting for the bad guys.… Expand

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6

DazedBeingAug 12, 2013

Fun to watch, but there were a lot of plot holes, and pieces that were not properly explained. The action scenes were entrancing, and Matt Damon did a good job.

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6

Jack_SunshineSep 3, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Elysium answers the question "What if yuppies colonised Halo?" The residents of the eponymous space station are portrayed as a caricature of the American elite, swanning about their marble mansions and swimming pools in polo shirts and sports coats like they've gone for a weekend on Long Island. They are juxtaposed with citizens of Earth who live in overpopulated, arid slums, working and dying in their droves with no access to the health care and lifestyle enjoyed by the wealthy.

Elysium seems the latest in a string of post-apocalyptic/science-fiction blockbusters starring A- list actors. Tom Cruise had Oblivion, Will Smith had After Earth, Brad Pitt had World War Z. This time, Matt Damon is the hero. Elysium comes at a difficult time to stand out from the crowd, but this is the sophomore feature of director Neill Blomkamp, who wowed audiences four years ago with District 9.

The theme again is apartheid like social divide, extrapolated to a scale to reflect the same occurrences in the present day. On one level, this is how citizens of wealthy countries go about their daily lives, often with utter indifference to the suffering of those in poorer parts of the world. This is dystopian fiction in its purest and earliest form. But then perhaps Elysium is not saying anything new.

More intimately, this is the relationship between classes within less economically developed cities, where the wealthy live in gated communities, guarded by private security firms against the poverty and volatility of the city slums. This is the case in Mexico City, where the LA scenes were filmed, and in Blomkamp's native Johannesburg. Even the wealthy citizens of present day LA are to be found in the gated communities of Beverly Hills, far from the low income urban sprawl.

Though the divide is of wealth, the classes are represented racially and culturally. Elysium residents are mostly, but not exclusively Caucasian. When they are not speaking English, their language is French, characterising the Elysium citizens by drawing on the perceived high culture of France, which once influenced the elite of the antebellum South.

On Earth, the dominant cultural identity is Hispanic, a future imagined as a result of unrestricted immigration from Latin America. Society has failed Max Da Costa, played by the capable Matt Damon. He has grown up an orphan, and spent time in prison, and now works in a factory building the police robots that abuse him in the streets.

The crux of the matter as far as the plot is concerned seems to revolve around access to the nigh on magical properties of the Elysium medical bays, which appear to be located in the homes of every citizen. Whilst this clearly represents an uneven spread of medical resources, it seems that living and working in the slums of Earth would become infinitely more tolerable if the most extreme of ailments, from Leukaemia to radiation sickness, and presumably, the health problems associated with a lifetime of breathing Earth's polluted air, could be cured immediately, and automatically, at the drop of a hat. The device even offers total, instantaneous facial reconstruction, yet these features are largely wasted on the already healthy Elysium population, who treat these resources as glorified tanning beds.

Elysium takes its name from the ancient Greek afterlife, or at least the part of it traditionally reserved for the righteous and heroic. The citizens of Elysium are anything but. Most of the residents are happy to live their lives without sparing a thought for the Earth-bound masses, but some take it a step further. Secretary of Defence Jessica Delacourt (Jodie Foster) is cold and calculated, and doesn't bat an eyelid when she orders the destruction of two illegal refugee ships, and immediate deportation of the occupants of a third. Whilst she acts outside of protocol, this goes to show what lengths some citizens are capable of going to in the defence of their borders. Soon, she plans to stage a coup against the more moderate President Patel.

For all Delacourt's coldness, she pales in comparison to the true antagonist; the vicious, psychotic mercenary Kruger, who starts out working as an agent for Elysium. Kruger is played by Blomkamp's collaborator, South African Sharlto Copley, who played the leading man in District 9. Kruger is the polar opposite of bumbling bureaucrat Wikus van der Merwe. Due to his extremity, Kruger is dismissed from employment at the start of the film, but is quickly tasked with hunting Da Costa down on Delacourt's behalf.

The film does not shy away from the graphic depiction of violence and brutality. The futuristic weapons are more likely to explode their victims than anything else, and this happens more than once. Along with the dirty, dusty streets of LA, this gritty realism contrasts with the futuristic veneer of Elysium, and sets the film apart from other sleek, sci-fi thrillers. As such, Elysium exists as a slightly superior summer blockbuster.… Expand

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6

JoseloSep 21, 2013

El primer acto de esta película me resultó muy interesante, incluso me agradó el ambiente al que me llevó a sumergirme. Pero cuando llega el segundo y el tercer acto es que este filme decae un poco. Pues la historia pierde mucha fuerza y losEl primer acto de esta película me resultó muy interesante, incluso me agradó el ambiente al que me llevó a sumergirme. Pero cuando llega el segundo y el tercer acto es que este filme decae un poco. Pues la historia pierde mucha fuerza y los miedos y desconfianzas del personaje principal lo posicionaron en un lugar, que como personaje de una ciencia/ficción como esta no funcionara del todo. Por otra parte, la realidad es que Elysium es una película visualmente impresionante, los detalles de las naves espaciales lo definieron todo. Pero al emprender los encuentros entre el héroe y los villanos se vuelve a notar un poco la pérdida de este factor. Pues lo que era visualmente impresionante, se convirtió un poco en visualmente molestoso. En fin Elysium no es una mala película e incluso se pasa un buen tiempo viéndola. Pero más allá de eso… nada.… Expand

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6

mrjoneseznNov 29, 2013

this felt like a movie made from a novel, like there was a much more in-depth story but we were only shown a small part of it. Matt Damon was excellent, but everyone else (Jodie Foster especially) seemed like they were playing caricaturesthis felt like a movie made from a novel, like there was a much more in-depth story but we were only shown a small part of it. Matt Damon was excellent, but everyone else (Jodie Foster especially) seemed like they were playing caricatures of typical movie roles. A good sci-fi flick, but felt like it could have been so much more.h… Expand

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6

ambenderDec 28, 2013

Although Elysium is certainly disappointing (due largely to outrageous expectations set by District 9), the film does contain a breathtaking action sequence or two, and a humane and likable Matt Damon in the lead role.

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6

ydnar4Nov 23, 2014

Elysium was a bit of a disappointment. The story could have been further developed and become better. It seemed like there wasn't enough conflict in it. Its like it was only half finished.

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6

CineAutoctonoJul 22, 2019

Elysium was a film that has a good message and reflection on immigration, social classes and the struggle for opportunities, the story was good but there are moments in the film that worked but another distance us from history, and theElysium was a film that has a good message and reflection on immigration, social classes and the struggle for opportunities, the story was good but there are moments in the film that worked but another distance us from history, and the performances may not be the best but they are convincing.… Expand

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6

Bugger217Sep 12, 2017

Neill Blomkamp's follow-up to District 9 has all of the technical prowess you'd expect, with great action and stunning visual effects, but it feels very "been here, done that." It takes a lot of the core themes and ideas from District 9 andNeill Blomkamp's follow-up to District 9 has all of the technical prowess you'd expect, with great action and stunning visual effects, but it feels very "been here, done that." It takes a lot of the core themes and ideas from District 9 and rehashes them, but less subtly and with clunkier writing. Some of the performances feel off, too. There's ultimately more good than bad in here, but after the perfection that was District 9, this was a disappointment.… Expand

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6

amheretojudgeAug 24, 2018

what binds all the mayhem..

Elysium Elysium is a plot driven sci-fi thriller with a familiar theme that we have always been fed with for years, but with a newer perspective which is appreciative since it is more humane than we asked for.what binds all the mayhem..

Elysium

Elysium is a plot driven sci-fi thriller with a familiar theme that we have always been fed with for years, but with a newer perspective which is appreciative since it is more humane than we asked for. The premise guides you the one-man stereotyped action but at the end of the line surprisingly and fortunately delivers much more than that. Blomkamp's uncertain near future world runs on merit and doesn't rely upon any help, the protagonist or the antagonist will have to stand up after getting beaten down and take matters into his or her own hand. Eerie d.o.p. and pointless slow motions in action sequences unfortunately doesn't work in here. The production design is finely detailed with alluring set pieces, lethal weapons and slick vehicles that helps you feel like, future is here. The visual effects are decent enough to believe in it but is short on technical aspects like background score, cinematography and editing. The narrative isn't as exhilarating as it assumes it to be, it walks on a familiar path with a known textbook structure. The sense of urgency is the key to its fast and hard core screenplay that is equally bold and smart. The writer-director Blomkamp is much more powerful with his script than his execution skills which factors in when he is cornered to draw out the emotions from the screen. Damon is angry and oozes power from it with a reserved Foster, emotionally challenged Braga, supportive Luna and Moura but the trump card in here would be Copley's baddie that is horrifying to encounter on screen. The fluent screenplay, self-created high tech world and a children's tale are the high points of the feature. Elysium may take place in different and easily filtered acts but its easiness to transact from one sequences to another is what binds all the mayhem.… Expand

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6

jflash05May 3, 2018

The tone is amazing. Where the film lacks is in its execution of the overall concept. It could've used work on fleshing out the characters and giving them complete arcs.

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5

JacobJan 9, 2015

Elysium is frustrating because I get the sense that Neil Blomkamp really wanted to make a great film. There was clearly a lot of hard work, time, and effort put into this movie, which is reflected through how creative the world is from itsElysium is frustrating because I get the sense that Neil Blomkamp really wanted to make a great film. There was clearly a lot of hard work, time, and effort put into this movie, which is reflected through how creative the world is from its layout to the designs. With such an imaginative and well realized setting its disappointing that Blomkamp wasn’t able to create a compelling story and interesting characters to complement it making this a generic sci-fi movie. This film could’ve been something but its nothing. Its not that the story is bad or anything its just that the film has I lot of stuff I’ve seen before and not much that is new. If you are curious in watching it go ahead just don’t expect anything groundbreaking. The style is great but it lacks the substance.… Expand

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5

rocketpackpandaAug 23, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Four years of waiting and all I get is this? Bloomkamp is full of so many intriguing ideas and is full of great ideas for how to film them, but with his sophomore effort he seems to try to hard to include everything. Instead we get glimpses of cool ideas, hammered together in a quickly paced fashion that doesn't amount to much more than a less tactful version of District 9. The characters like the plot have the biggest issue and much the same one, yes it looks and acts cool, but once the film hits the third act, any semblance of depth is sheered away by bombastic plot holes and character inconsistencies. Examples, Kruger is fantastically played by Sharto Copley, a psycho who only wants to get paid to do what he loves (excess violence), he is on one track that's it, not pit stops for anything else. To bad that in the third act he drops this veneer of violence for fun and pronounce a desire for world domination which had never been even hinted at before. As for the plot, well lets just say that by the end of the film, the Elysium populace are made to seem like nothing more than dicks who don't want to share their toys. The ending makes no logical sense when put under any kind of scrutiny. My final criticism of the film is the camera work. Its cool at first but then it tries to get all experimental which instead of looking cool, draws your attention to the fact that you know they're trying to look cool and instead becomes a distraction and annoyance. This doesn't make the film terrible, it just makes it incredibly disappointing. Sophomore slump you say? No excuse, Duncan Jones made a follow up real quick and it was a solid thriller. Bloomkamp needs to get back in the saddle, reign himself in and bring us the same glory that we got from D9. Stumble or no the film remains interesting to look at, this is the kind of film that will improve if they have an extended edition to explain some unanswered questions.… Expand

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5

jlplattenAug 11, 2013

What a huge disappoint. As someone who absolutely loved District 9, this movie was my most anticipated film of the year. I'll start with the positives. The movie was amazing when it came to creativity of the world, special effects and action.What a huge disappoint. As someone who absolutely loved District 9, this movie was my most anticipated film of the year. I'll start with the positives. The movie was amazing when it came to creativity of the world, special effects and action. But as amazing as those were, I couldn't get over how dumb and terrible the characters and story were... especially the acting. I cringed every time Jodie Foster was on the screen. *shivers* I swear, how come everyone has to yell in this movie? I can hardly understand the dialogue half the time. This movie was so blatantly black and white between the rich and poor. One rich person actually had the word "riche" tattooed on their face. It's like without that you wouldn't be able to tell how evil he was... Also, it was stupid how the robots on Earth were programmed to discriminate, while the robots on Elysium were dumbed down servants. Really? You would think that all robots would be programmed equally, like in iRobot. Oh, and how they pushed the story along was terrible. You'll understand when you see how Matt Damon's character gets sick. I was really buying into the concept, but it was executed so terribly.… Expand

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5

TyranianJan 10, 2020

Damon is possibly miscast but there are good visuals and some decent ideas. Poorly executed however.

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5

KenmeiMar 1, 2015

This movie felt like it was being buried underneath it's own ambition. The world was cool and it really did have alot going for it. But I didn't like any of the characters, except for Kruger. The story is lackluster and the everything justThis movie felt like it was being buried underneath it's own ambition. The world was cool and it really did have alot going for it. But I didn't like any of the characters, except for Kruger. The story is lackluster and the everything just seems very blah at times. I'll give it credit for trying to establish something with the background that it had but you can tell that the story they gave us for this back drop was not what it deserved.
Damon was very uninspiring in the movie, playing a man who was about to die if he didnt get up to the world. Jodie Foster tried to be the "ultra-villain" the movie deserved but it was Copley who had the best performance. All the characters were not great and it took alot of time to get things going honestly. But the movie, and the world, had potential. It certainly didn't live up to that potential but it is there.… Expand

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5

StaticSpineAug 15, 2013

Everything here is clearly black or white, no shades of gray, but even just no gray! These are good, these are frankly evil. The development of the plot is not very logical, and much remains unexplained on a course of action. It was also theEverything here is clearly black or white, no shades of gray, but even just no gray! These are good, these are frankly evil. The development of the plot is not very logical, and much remains unexplained on a course of action. It was also the feeling that the author tried to re-shoot DISTRICT 9 (which IMHO was much better) for a second time, but failed. I liked the picture Cinematography atmosphere, and Jodie Foster's and "psycho-sleeper agent" Sharlto Copley 's roles. In general, average and highly ambiguous film. To be honest, I was waiting for something else: something like "robotic man alone destroys the whole space station of the richies", and the output was some kind of fiction with a pretension for something more.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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5

sofgrantAug 16, 2013

After I saw this movie I didn't know what to think. It seemed to me to be preaching a message that the characters couldn't really convey. Once again it was a familiar plot of the poor and down-trodden rising up against the rich and evil. ItAfter I saw this movie I didn't know what to think. It seemed to me to be preaching a message that the characters couldn't really convey. Once again it was a familiar plot of the poor and down-trodden rising up against the rich and evil. It also seemed to have a predictable plot, almost force fed to you, though Sharlto Copley plays an awesome bad guy. Don't get me wrong, it entertained me but it really failed to impress me, maybe its just because we always seem to get the stock standard good poor vs. evil rich? Its an alright movie, not bad, not great, just alright.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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5

SimpleMethodAug 9, 2013

Elysium is a huge disappointment compared to District 9. It doesn't even come close to being as smart or well-written as District 9, and is clearly the sophomore slump for Neil Blomkamp.

8 of 13 users found this helpful85

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5

WhySoSerious54Aug 13, 2013

This could be one of the worst years in movie making history. It seems as though one bad film comes out after the next. This just happens to be the better of the poor. Matt Damon provided a decent character surrounded by a bunch of flatThis could be one of the worst years in movie making history. It seems as though one bad film comes out after the next. This just happens to be the better of the poor. Matt Damon provided a decent character surrounded by a bunch of flat characters and major miscasts. The weapons were bland, the environment was uninteresting, and Elysium looked like your typical paradise nothing more and nothing less. The biggest problem I had was that with all the technology in the world the only defense Elysium has to incoming unidentified ships is a hand held rocket launcher! WTF… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

JoeB666Aug 9, 2013

Two rather large problems with the movie:

It has an anti-elitist message, but the two main actors, Jodie and Damon, graduated from Yale and Harvard, respectively. You know: the two most prestigious and elitist universities in the world.Two rather large problems with the movie:

It has an anti-elitist message, but the two main actors, Jodie and Damon, graduated from Yale and Harvard, respectively. You know: the two most prestigious and elitist universities in the world. (At Harvard, for instance, the average family income of students is $150,000. And if you're parents are alumni, your chances of acceptance can be greatly enhanced.) This critically undermines any sort of message the movie has.

Another problem: the entire dystopian premise. I like dystopias, but based on history we can assume that the world of the future will be much better in the future than the past. For instance, economists predict that the average income in the first world will be about seven times what it is today, in 100 years. That's $200,000+ per adult. The developing world will fare even better. Also, every one of the last several centuries has left humanity better than than the century that preceded it, and every one of the last several decades (excluding the Great Depression WWII) left humanity **as a whole** better than the previous decade. The past cannot predict the future, but such lasting trends are difficult to ignore, and strongly suggest that the future will be better than the present.

This decade, the world has never been more democratic, nor more prosperous. And, in all likelihood (though we must not get complacent), it will continue getting better. The problem with sci-fi dystopian cinema is that it perverts the audience's perspective on the very things that are most able to lift humans out of the muck: science, technology, and social change. Such films depict these things as something to be feared, rather than embraced. This is shameful.… Expand

5 of 20 users found this helpful515

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5

MaricaAug 31, 2014

"The only thing I can do to help you is leave, I promise you." - Max

Only thing i like in this movie is Special Efects,CGI...Another reason? not!!!!!

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5

Prodigy2013Sep 24, 2013

Neil Blomkamp follows up the outstanding ‘District 9’ with ‘Elysium’; and the result wasn’t as deft. Like many science fiction films, some sweet social themes were at work here. ‘Elysium’ promotes socialized health care, of which I’m an avidNeil Blomkamp follows up the outstanding ‘District 9’ with ‘Elysium’; and the result wasn’t as deft. Like many science fiction films, some sweet social themes were at work here. ‘Elysium’ promotes socialized health care, of which I’m an avid supporter; and it also tackles classism in a visually striking manner. With the wealthy 1% living aboard the pristine space station called Elysium where machines cure any disease, and the poverty stricken masses living on the disheveled fringes of the Earth, where they’re left to suffer; this called for some creative efforts from both the writers and the crew. Too bad the writers didn’t quite deliver on their part. The popular beef with this movie seems to be the heavy handedness of the message, and I couldn’t agree more. Being written in bold strokes, very little was left to the imagination of the viewers. I literally felt beaten and bludgeoned by the free health care message which the film so obviously endorses, and that doesn't strike me as a tactfully written piece of work. The characters at the centre of the plot were one dimensional; and this became ever clearer in the films key dramatic moment, which truly fell flat. I call this a disservice to the talented Matt Damon, Jodie Foster and Sharlto Copley; who all gave substandard performances thanks to the substandard material they were given. I didn’t completely dislike the film; the themes at work were great to digest, and the crew did fantastic work on the technical aspects of the movie. Those gritty action sequences and the designs of Earth and Elysium were brought to life through awesome visual effects and a grizzly sound palette. Overall this was a well meaning and fairly entertaining summer blockbuster, with high ambitions but a low delivery.… Expand

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5

FlyToRainbowRayOct 30, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was really looking forward to this movie and had high hopes. I love sci-fi and District 9 is probably my favorite sci-fi movie but Elysium is quite frustrating. The premise is interesting and has lots of potential but there are some major plot holes. Like why the hell are there none of those medbay pod things on earth? If everyone on Elysium can have one in their homes than surely the ENTIRE earth could afford to have some. And why don't the members of Elysium send those Med ships full of med pods to Earth? Are they all a bunch of uncaring libertarians or something? The movie never really goes into the politics aboard Elysium and does not offer and kind of explanation. This made it very hard for me to suspend by disbelief and it drove me nuts.

The other thing that drove absolutely crazy was the shaky cam. The movie looks amazing, with all the special effects blending in seamlessly, and has some cool actions pieces, but it is hard to see clearly whats is going on because the damn camera man is having a seizure. I had to keep looking off-screen because it was too much for me handle. I don't recall the shaky cam in D9 being nearly this crazy.

The other problem were the somewhat bland characters that I found myself not really caring about at all. Sharlto Copley's character was probably the best, yet even he was still plagued by lack of depth and some cheesiness. And what was up Jodie Foster's accent? Is it supposed to be some weird future accent?

The movies strengths are easily the special effects and the gritty, believability of future L.A. I found there to lots of great little details in the sets, props, and some of the dialog, that made the city feel like a real place. Also, there were some groovy weapons.

If this movie just had an awesome script, and the camera man remembered to take his anti-seizure drugs, than it would have been pretty damn good.… Expand

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5

KGardnerXXAug 13, 2013

I really, really wanted to love this movie, but I didn't. It was predictable. The personal storyline of Damon's character seemed like it was borrowed from another movie that I've seen too many times and can recount from memory. TheI really, really wanted to love this movie, but I didn't. It was predictable. The personal storyline of Damon's character seemed like it was borrowed from another movie that I've seen too many times and can recount from memory. The villains are cut outs without any depth creating no interest. It seemed like they were there more to move the plot along rather than be an actual character. And I was so looking forward to this movie too. Maybe that's what makes me so sad about writing this review. It looked like it had such potential but wound up being just an inch deep.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

JinxieAug 27, 2013

Maybe I expected too much, but this movie was a disappointment to me. The premise sounded amazing, but the execution was unoriginal and the action sequences left me saying "so what?!" because I didn't care about the characters. If you haven'tMaybe I expected too much, but this movie was a disappointment to me. The premise sounded amazing, but the execution was unoriginal and the action sequences left me saying "so what?!" because I didn't care about the characters. If you haven't already seen District 9, pick that up instead.… Expand

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5

ArnoldthecowAug 31, 2013

Mr Blomkamp has already proved himself with his first feature District 9, a real, emotional alien story with great acting and writing all round but his latest release Elysium sadly falls short of greatness. Set in a poverty struck world, theMr Blomkamp has already proved himself with his first feature District 9, a real, emotional alien story with great acting and writing all round but his latest release Elysium sadly falls short of greatness. Set in a poverty struck world, the rich superpowers build a clean new world called Elysium in which all disease and evil is struck leaving the world below it to crumble. I'm sure you have guessed what the story may be as I did after a short amount of time into the film but to the films advantage it didn't play out as I had originally thought. The film starts off slowly as did District 9 letting you get to know world and characters but I felt some what bored with Matt Damon going around and doing his jobs. As soon as Sharlto Copley's character was introduced and the main plot of the film started to kick off it seemed very promising but it was still dry. I'm not sure if it's because it that all the things that made the film seem really cool is wasted and nothing really happens in the movie, it just stays at one level were as it should have been building to something greater. The only reasons to see this films is for Copley's performance or for the pretty backdrop.… Expand

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5

Cruzo13Sep 3, 2013

You cannot accuse Elysium of being dull, however it does lack the same poignancy that made district 9 such a brilliant film. It is well crafted and the se design is beautiful. The film boasts fluid action sequences and sharlto Copley shinesYou cannot accuse Elysium of being dull, however it does lack the same poignancy that made district 9 such a brilliant film. It is well crafted and the se design is beautiful. The film boasts fluid action sequences and sharlto Copley shines as the villain Kruger. However with all the great special effect and the big budget blomkamp's last film lacked, Elysium falls quite short of the mark. Jodie foster feels rigid and uncomfortable in her role as Delacour, the film's few emotional scenes seem disjointed and out of the place, but worst of all is this film really doesn't have anything to say, with District 9 we were given a study of social class, a way those the lower classes are treated or how those who belong to a certain race are treated, it shows how people are blind to the way certain minorities are being treated until the become part of that minority, at best this film showed the gap between rich and poor, but that was only looked upon briefly before going on to the story of max, you could argue that the message at the end is "never forget where you come from" but that itself is a very cliched message, in conclusion this is a good action film but blomkamp fans or those expecting more will feel slightly disappointed with Elysium… Expand

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5

Ocgem24Sep 21, 2013

I was disappointed at the end. Even though it was a great sci-fi concept and several unexplored themes; it was offensive that there was an exaggerated racial theme portrayed. I wasn't the only one that felt like that, the rest of my groupI was disappointed at the end. Even though it was a great sci-fi concept and several unexplored themes; it was offensive that there was an exaggerated racial theme portrayed. I wasn't the only one that felt like that, the rest of my group felt like that too at the end. Matt Damon is a great actor and went to see the movie because of him. His acting role doesn't disappoint, it is just the plot and surrounding events that are disappointing. I did enjoy the ending, but the writers could have elaborated more on what the future held. Clean movie for a family to watch, no nudity, harsh foul language, or extreme violence.… Expand

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5

oneiros_fabSep 21, 2013

District 9 was a masterpiece, Elysium is not!
This is a big disappointment. Visually it's great but the story is too simple, full of good ideas under-used.

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5

ff33ooNov 28, 2013

The entire movie just felt really flat, uninspired and generic, which made the viewing experience incredibly dull for me. I genuinely almost fell asleep while watching it, it was such a dull, boring film. Disappointing, after the wonderfulThe entire movie just felt really flat, uninspired and generic, which made the viewing experience incredibly dull for me. I genuinely almost fell asleep while watching it, it was such a dull, boring film. Disappointing, after the wonderful District 9, to which this movie doesn't even compare.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

inaneswineNov 14, 2017

Visual effects aside, Elysium really doesn't offer much groundbreaking material, as it rehashes a social class war story we've heard a thousand times before. It simply isn't exciting enough to keep the viewer's attention. In addition, JodieVisual effects aside, Elysium really doesn't offer much groundbreaking material, as it rehashes a social class war story we've heard a thousand times before. It simply isn't exciting enough to keep the viewer's attention. In addition, Jodie Foster gives a surprisingly disappointing performance.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

eva3si0nJul 6, 2022

Elysium makes a completely deceptive impression after watching the trailer. The whole film is a trailer for the most part. Even if you remove the lack of logic of what is happening and do not pay attention to the unreality of the laws byElysium makes a completely deceptive impression after watching the trailer. The whole film is a trailer for the most part. Even if you remove the lack of logic of what is happening and do not pay attention to the unreality of the laws by which the world lives from the film, an equally stupid plot will remain. Elysium has literally nothing but a good acting duo and not bad CGI graphics. The film doesn't even have a distinct antagonist.… Expand

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5

PiranteMay 24, 2020

A movie with a lot of promise but leaves most of it unfulfilled as, rather than explore the science fiction aspects, or the political aspects, it opts for a gun-chase-explosion action fluff seen a thousand times in other movies. The premiseA movie with a lot of promise but leaves most of it unfulfilled as, rather than explore the science fiction aspects, or the political aspects, it opts for a gun-chase-explosion action fluff seen a thousand times in other movies. The premise was interesting, but the creative choices made lead to this being a by-the-numbers movie and, as a result, nothing special.… Expand

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5

FilipeNetoJan 14, 2020

The problem with films that are overly based on social criticism is that they almost always portray society in a simplistic way: on one hand the poor and marginalized, on the other the rich and powerful. There are no half terms. In suchThe problem with films that are overly based on social criticism is that they almost always portray society in a simplistic way: on one hand the poor and marginalized, on the other the rich and powerful. There are no half terms. In such movies, the rich are usually cruel and egocentric, the ruling class. Likewise, the poor end up trying to organize and take away their power and money in the name of a fairer society. Karl Marx would approve of these films.

In fact, things are never that simple, and society, no matter how bad it is, is generally far more heterogeneous than the portrayal of this film. Even so, there are moments when criticism brutally approaches reality. For example, when the guns of Elysium destroy the ships with the people who want to reach it. At that moment, it was hard for me not to think about the ships loaded with illegal immigrants who cross the Mediterranean every month in the worst conditions, looking for an Eldorado they think exists in Europe.

Despite the unappealing simplicity of the plot, the film pays off with good actors doing a relatively satisfactory work. Matt Damon, while not one of my favorites, is quite good in his role. Sharlto Copley is a convincing and rude villain, Alice Braga and Wagner Moura, two good Brazilian actors, do not disappoint but I have doubts about their ability to accompany American colleagues, who have a whole different dramatic school. In any case, they do not disappoint and honor the credits of Brazilian dramaturgy. The worst of this movie, as regards the cast, was the artificial performance of Jodie Foster.

The movie has good special effects, state of the art on a big budget movie like this. However, the pace is quite uneven and unbalanced. But worse than that is the feeling that we are watching a cold movie, unable to emotionally connect us with the story or the characters. It's worth seeing, but it's not that kind of movie that stays in our memory and makes us spend our money on it.… Expand

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5

clem666Nov 20, 2022

Decent content, interesting morale but overly stereotyped.
I enjoyed how future earth was showcased, how precisely the movie manages to give a particular taste of how people live there in 2054. I liked the way Max's (Matt Damon) personalDecent content, interesting morale but overly stereotyped.
I enjoyed how future earth was showcased, how precisely the movie manages to give a particular taste of how people live there in 2054. I liked the way Max's (Matt Damon) personal struggle and ambitions gradually turn into more important and humanistic goals. I love the chaotic dystopic universe of 'Elysium'.

But, and there are major but's : the first being Max's character. How many times did we see characters like that, who don't ask for nothing and are eventually ready to give their own lives to change a world that tried so many times to break them? How cliché. Add this with the fact that he fights with an 'exo-skeletal' armor type and it is more steretoyped than ever. The bad guy (Kruger) also is uninspired in its mercenary type of role. I said I love that dystopia, but are really the rich people heartless to the point to enjoy major technologic prowess without trying to make it accessible to enveryone? I mean our present is not far from this on a certain point of view but it's hard to imagine the future society based on such inequalities. I guess we'll see, hoping that there will be many Max around us in this case.

Matt Damon's acting is okay while Jody Foster's is very cool. The rest of the cast is okay too, depending on the role they had to play. 'Elysium' is visually very beautiful, colorful at times, and both the lighting and colours vary a lot depending the situation and the people we are following.

In conclusion, the structure is to me what makes the worst of 'Elysium', which seems to rush from a subject to another, and from a scene to another in a messy disturbing way.… Expand

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4

ScrawnyPunkAug 11, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A swing and a miss...

This movie had a ton of potential (social commentary action superawesome!), but it's just a mess from frame one. In trying to be many things, it fails as social commentary (greed is bad I get it), an action movie (terribly boring), and sci-fi (turbulence on a space station? facial re-construction gets the beard right? the entire population of earth can be healed of all sickness with two shuttles and no one crowding a queue? what?).

The biggest miss here is probably the social commentary. Aside from a few Silkwood-like workers' rights abuses, the portrayal of most Earth citizens is basically drug addicted, cursing, fighting, stealing bums. It's hard to cheer for the whole human race if you don't show their nobility. It's equally hard to cheer against the citizens of Elysium if we don't see any other than the tyrannical defense minister and a calloused (and failed) business owner. All I know is that the rest of the people are in good shape and like to have parties is that evil? Do I hate them for that? I almost think Blomkamp could have lifted some lines from Roger and Me to at least make me dislike the rich folks a little.

I did not expect this to happen, but I believe both Oblivion and After Earth are better than this movie and neither one of those is special.… Expand

3 of 13 users found this helpful310

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4

currer_bellMar 8, 2016

I really love Si-Fi movies, but this one was really dumb and uninspired. Elysium barely kept me entertained for 40 minutes, then I was on and off, to my own surprise. There's really not an once of originality in it. And why Jodie Foster ??I really love Si-Fi movies, but this one was really dumb and uninspired. Elysium barely kept me entertained for 40 minutes, then I was on and off, to my own surprise. There's really not an once of originality in it. And why Jodie Foster ?? ...All I can say is that we're far from Taxi Driver or Silence of the Lamb. I'm giving a 4 because of the villain, who I think was actually pretty cool / terrifying. Can't go higher than that I'm afraid.… Expand

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4

m_eldersAug 9, 2013

I'm able to suspend my disbelief a fair amount, especially if there's something to be gained from it. But I feel like Neil Blomkamp took the easy way out of every difficult situation during his first draft of the screenplay and then neverI'm able to suspend my disbelief a fair amount, especially if there's something to be gained from it. But I feel like Neil Blomkamp took the easy way out of every difficult situation during his first draft of the screenplay and then never went back to edit it. Almost nothing interesting happens the entire movie and every difficult situation is resolved the boring, predictable way. The main characters don't act like people, and the minor characters and robots are on screen precisely when it the plot asks for them to be there and no more. Elysium did not surprise me or make me care about anything that was happening, and the times it made me laugh were mostly from the ridiculousness of it. The thing I liked the most about the film was the cinematography, but most of that was reminiscent of District 9. In fact, District 9 was just a better movie in every single way. I recommend watching that again (or for the first time!) instead of watching Elysium.… Expand

12 of 17 users found this helpful125

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4

gameboy673Aug 10, 2013

Overall, Elysium isn't necessarily a horrible movie, but it's certainly not a very good one either. Individual plot twists were extremely predictable, and the overlaying plot had a few holes that made little sense. The plot itself was veryOverall, Elysium isn't necessarily a horrible movie, but it's certainly not a very good one either. Individual plot twists were extremely predictable, and the overlaying plot had a few holes that made little sense. The plot itself was very generic and uninspired. There was a political element to the main plot (that I won't specifically explain here for the sake of saving spoilers), but when it's all said and done it did very little for the main plot itself and seemed unnecessary. The quote-unquote "cool" parts of the movie, like Max's super-suit and the advanced weaponry, turn out to play incredibly minuscule roles in the plot, and even the big action scenes were let down by a lack of energy. I haven't seen District 9 so I can't compare the two, but for what it is, Elysium is just O.K., nothing more.… Expand

5 of 26 users found this helpful521

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4

Bruce722Feb 15, 2014

What a disappointing movie Elysium turned out to be. Let's start with the one positive. The concept for the film is fantastic. The idea for an elitist group of society to be separated like that isn't necessarily original but there's a lot ofWhat a disappointing movie Elysium turned out to be. Let's start with the one positive. The concept for the film is fantastic. The idea for an elitist group of society to be separated like that isn't necessarily original but there's a lot of potential there. Matt Damon and the rest of the cast is also pretty solid (other than Jodie Foster who sucks at life). The special effects and CGI are also pretty top notch but that's about the end of the positives. All of the other features combine to create an almost suckfest of a movie. The most glaring is the identity crisis suffered throughout the almost 2 hours. There are certain technologies in the film that would make Avatar jealous and on the other hand, there are things that we have right now. There doesn't appear to be any sense or logic to it, it's just variable and irregular and it kills the suspension of disbelief, which let's face it, this movie hinges desperately on. The plot is also ridiculously predictable and none of the characters are developed well. Overall, should've and could've been better with a quality director.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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4

imthenoobNov 27, 2013

Despite a very interesting plot premise, Elysium is a very disappointing and unsatisfying film in every way possible. Weak plot ruined even more so by the unlikeable characters and uninteresting action scenes that fail to entertain. Would notDespite a very interesting plot premise, Elysium is a very disappointing and unsatisfying film in every way possible. Weak plot ruined even more so by the unlikeable characters and uninteresting action scenes that fail to entertain. Would not recommend.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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4

Trev29Jan 5, 2014

A bland story with some messy action sequences. It is all fluff and doesn't try to dig a little deeper into its shallow script. Jodie Foster was a mess in this movie and Matt Damon's character was so generic is could have been played by anybody.

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Elysium

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