A Great Summer Sci-Fi Movie

Rating: 8/10 (12 August 2013)

Neil Blomkamp's directorial follow-up to District 9 only makes it more official that he is the future of Science Fiction films. Once again, he has created a gritty, violent, believable world to set the stage for a character's journey.
It is evident that Blomkamp is totally committed to detail. 22nd century Earth is filthy and undesirable, it's inhabitants desperate, sick and constantly teased by the contrasting paradise in the planet's orbit. Matt Damon's Max reminds me a lot of Sharlto Copley in District 9. Max is more human than hero, and it shows for most of the film. He's willing to do whatever it takes to survive. And while he is a good person, he is not the typical Hollywood altruistic hero that we're all so used to.
The special effects put on a display of just how much computers can do these days. High-tech gadgets and vehicles look sophisticated, yet worn and dirty. Good use is also made of live-action special effects, something that is criminally under-valued in the eyes of so many directors.
Jodie Foster, not surprisingly, gives a seemingly effortless performance as one of two main antagonists. Sharlto Copley gets the golden star for his role as Agent Kruger; I'll let you see him for yourself.
Hard to find anything to complain about with this movie. The script is action movie stuff, and it certainly isn't an all-time classic. I'd give it a purchase once it hit the shelves, though. It's great escapism for 2 hours.