Well, that wasn't really much of a blast...

Rating: 5/10 (25 November 2013)

I had been told by friends not to watch this movie, but still I decided to sit down to watch it out of sheer boredom. I must admit that I get the meaning of their words now that I have seen the movie.
Story-wise, then "Elysium" was a shallow and hollow replica of a movie. The story was oozing with predictability and it wasn't really based on a solid foundation. Which ultimately led this movie to become another of those mindless drone movies that are run by CGI special effects and bright lights. But once the dust settles, then there isn't much meat on the bone, so to speak.
The story is about Earth in the future, a planet destroyed and in ruins. While those with money and the ability have established a new life of luxury and without care on Elysium, an orbiting space station watching over Earth. Struggling through a harsh life, Max (played by Matt Damon) becomes a victim of circumstance and an accident and have to reach Elysium in order to save himself, keep a promise to his childhood girlfriend and save the Earth in the process.
Right, and we all know just exactly how the movie will end based on that storyline. And guess what, it did. Director Neill Blomkamp has managed to add every storyline cliché into this movie and make it so predictable that it is physically painful to bear witness to.
You would think that with all that advanced technology, robotics and weaponry that the orbiting Elysium station would have some better defenses aside from a single rogue agent with a orbital rocket launcher on Earth? It was just downright idiotic.
And while on the topic of idiotic things, then why did they mount the exoskeleton outside the clothing on Max's body, when they had to drill into his nerves and such. Wouldn't the clothing get in the way?
I can't claim to be a fan of Matt Damon's work, and he was by no indication the reason for me sitting down to watch the movie. However, it should be said that he was actually doing a good enough job in this movie, despite having a very, very weak script to work with. It was also nice to see Jodie Foster and William Fichtner in the movie. William Fichtner actually had the most interesting of all characters throughout the entire story. Sharlto Copley was great in "District 9", but he wasn't really set to use the full scope of his talents in this movie.
"Elysium" is mindless entertainment. It does provide good enough entertainment, just don't expect to be dazzled or left with something to think about once the movie ends. Adequate acting, good effects, bad storyline, overall a so-so experience.
Thus I am rating "Elysium" a mere mediocre 5 out of 10 stars rating.