A movie that must be watched in Ultra High Definition

Rating: 7/10 (18 October 2018)

Elysium
Neill Blomkamp's science fiction actioner starring Matt Damon was a much more enjoyable experience second time around.
I remember watching this movie upon its home DVD release and not being overly impressed by his follow up film to the excellent District 9.
However a recent revisit has changed my view of this movie.
I streamed Elysium in UHD and I have to say this movie looks absolutely gorgeous.
If there's a film made to show off the merits of those extra pixels then this is it.
Set in 2154 where the very wealthy live on a paradise space station. Life is good for those who can afford it.
Technology has become so advanced that those who live on Elysium can even cure the most acute of illnesses.
Max played by Matt Damon needs to get up there to cure himself as he is exposed to a lethal dose of radiation whilst working in a robot factory back on Earth.
Our planet is also dying. A baron waste land filled with poverty and disease.
Crime is rife and those stranded on the decaying planet will beg, cheat,
kill and steal to stay alive.
Blomkamp's film mirrors real life as the rich get richer whilst the poor get poorer.
With some stand out performances from both Damon and Blomkamp's go to man Sharlto Copley, Elysium is a fine film of the genre.
It is special effects and prop design that steal the show.
Neill Blomkamp's films have a distinctive look and those in the know can spot his work a mile off.
Futuristic machinery has a very worn industrial texture.
Almost reminiscent of Ridley Scott's work on the Alien movie.
I got instantly excited when I read that Blomkamp may reinvigorate that franchise.
Sadly this has never come to fruition.
In Elysium every piece of technology and environment looks believable.
For example the rich CEO guy's Bugatti space shuttle looks like something that Bugatti would actually make a hundred years or so from now.
CGI blends seamlessly with practical effects giving Elysium a very pleasing experience for the eyes to feast upon.
The crisp image quality in UHD format elevates the action and gives the movie a three dimensional feel even when viewed in 2D.
The Elysium space station looks magnificent as the camera approaches.
The effects are so believable that at no point does the brain question what is happening onscreen.
There are some stretches for the imagination though.
The medical bays that every home on Elysium have are a little far fetched.
They're basically a bed that scans for injury or illness and then magically remedies the ailment.
They can apparently cure anything. Even when Kruger (Sharlto Copley) has his face removed by an exploding grenade. The medical bay miraculously rebuilds his entire face and the front part of his skull in a matter of seconds.
Still the CGI used to demonstrate this is mighty impressive.
Support from Jodie Foster is welcome and it's refreshing to see her take a role like this but it's obvious to see why she took the part of Defence Secretary Delacourt. It's a role that Foster is able to have fun with. Also William Fitchner is perfect as the slick and slimy CEO John Carlyle.
Elysium offers a good mix of talent both in front and behind the camera.
It's a movie that won't go down in history as a classic of the Sci-Fi genre but like all Blomkamp's movies it's a film to be admired.
He's a director that makes movies with his own unique
look and style. For that he must be commended.
More good news arrives that Neill Blomkamp has announced he is to make a direct sequel to the original Robocop.
Now that's something to get truly excited about!