Not a prawn in sight.....

Rating: 8/10 (14 July 2014)

In the distant future, two classes of people exist, the wealthy, who live on the titular man- made space station, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth.
Secretary Delacourt, a government official, will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the lucky ones of Elysium.
That doesn't stop the people of Earth from trying to get in by any means they can.
When unlucky Max is exposed to a deadly dose of radiation, he agrees to take on a daunting mission that, if successful, will not only save his life but could bring equality to these two, very different worlds.....
When District 9 was first released, I didn't really see what all the fuss was about. Yes, it was all hidden propaganda, and the aliens were really the poor in disguise, but it was boring, and it still is after repeated viewings.
So the synopsis of this didn't really inspire me, because when you read between the lines it's essentially the same story, but with the narrative tweaked here and there.
How surprised it is then, not just to find a ruddy good science fiction movie, but one of the better movies released in the summer of 2013, easily the poorest year for summer movies.
It's just great to see a big release be so daring, and not rely on effects alone. Damon is brilliant as Max, and it's such an Un-Damon character, that you will soon stop saying 'Matter Damon' like they did in Team America.
But Copley is the best thing in this, and he's terrifying as the bounty hunter. Whenever he's on screen, the film is brilliant, and his role should have been a lot bigger.
Some of the camera-work too is awe-inspiring. The attack on Fichtner's jet is a highlight of the film from camera-work alone.
Foster, well who ever did her re-dubbing should be shot, its stops the film dead in its tracks whenever she speaks, and this is Foster, one of the best actresses on the planet.
A nice, intelligent, summer movie.