Visually spectacular.

Rating: 7/10 (19 August 2013)

Johannesburg-born filmmaker Neill Blomkamp burst onto the scene in 2009 with his brilliant debut feature District 9 - an allegory of the South African race divide disguised as an alien action movie - and evidently set the bar too high for his sophomore effort. This Matt Damon- headlining sci-fi is best judged on its own merits rather than against the superior District 9, as it is visually intriguing adventure that boasts top quality special effects, well placed violence and a handful of fine set pieces. Fun to look at then, yet occasionally let down by a screenplay that is as subtle as a kick to the nether regions. Quite obviously a parable for today's increasing difference between the rich and poor, Blomkamp's script isn't satisfied with sly digs or hidden metaphors but instead smacks you in the face with it's agenda. Damon is reliably awesome (and completely bald) and Jodie Foster lets loose as an evil bitch, however it's Sharlto Copley (Murdock from The A-Team) who flicked my switch the most as the indomitable sleeper agent who relishes the chance to hunt somebody - anybody - down. If, like me, you can get past the overwrought message and a few noticeable holes in logic, then you're in for a great time.