Classism and Science Fiction - Excellent!

Rating: 7/10 (7 September 2014)

Neil Blomkamp is a brilliant director made for the modern era - his films Elysium and District 9 unveil a realistic, anti-utopian vision of the future that suggests that modern day problems will most likely have only evolved, not disappeared. Specifically, his films touch on sensitive topics like wealth distribution, health care, prejudice and the degraded environment. Likable and familiar actors Jodi Foster and Matt Damon portray both villain and hero in nontraditional and unique ways. The superb writing and casting in Elysium offers a freshness to the science-fiction genre rarely seen in today's blur of industry films.
Set in the year 2154, Blomkamp's vision of the future is brutal and unkind. The world our hero (Max- played by Matt Damon) lives in is dry and dirty, ruthless and over-populated. As Max attempts to re-assimilate back into regular life after prison - viewers get a fascinating glimpse into how the world has excelled (advanced robotics, weaponry and flight) and regressed (public infrastructure and health care) all at the same time. The earth has become over-run with the struggling poor - which has motivated the richest individuals to build a space station isolated and protected from the masses - it's a utopian mecca called Elysium. Elysium is beautiful, clean and houses the most advanced healthcare technology only regular citizens can dream about.
It's in this setting that viewers get to meet mercenary Kruger (Sharlto Copley) - begrudgingly hired by Elysium controllers to do their dirty work down on earth. Sharlto Copley steals the show as a psychotic murderer who wields a samurai sword while unleashing brilliant one-liners. It's this sadistic sense of humor combined with an intense drive to kill that ensures Kruger a permanent place on the list of greatest villains of all time. His best line (after forcibly stabbing Max): "Did I get ya?! Better get that looked at." Throughout the well-filmed action sequences and flawless CGI - Blomkamp continues to surprise. Elysium has many twists and turns while still maintaining its originality and beauty. This director has a masterful eye for detail and story-arc all exhibited in Elysium. Keep an eye on this filmmaker - his next works are sure to be great too.