An assay of class warfare of our own era disguised as eye candy science fiction

Rating: 5/10 (17 August 2013)

Many science fiction films have been based on quintessential novels of the genre fueled by plotting intended as in depth treatments on the most impactful social problems of the era in which they were written. Often, by the time the translation to film has occurred the urgency or relevancy of their messages to the current generation gone to see them on the sliver screen have been lost.
While 'Elysium' is not based on a classic novel of the genre, writer/director Neill Blomkamp presents his sophomoric science fiction feature as if its visual representation of a dystopian society where the rich live in a Mount Olympus like garden of eden and the rest of everyone else occupies hell on earth, as if it is towing a weighty line for the nonexistent literary classic it is not based on after all.
The overall tone of the film, while deadly serious throughout, trades moments of expected high drama for a sometimes buoyant humor that feels placed only to reap laughs at less than stellar one liners spouted in the form of most action films you're familiar with. Indeed, the humor present does not at all suit the violence committed alongside it or in step with it - in a few scenes. In one such scene as a robot policemen seriously injures the protagonist, he cracks jokes even as his bones break.
From the opening act onward the narrative instills in the viewer a sense that a lowly impoverished ex-con in the protagonist, is going to seize some momentous epiphany so colossal it will enable him to shake the halls of the gods themselves. The foreshadowing is plainly laid down for the viewer, and because he has seen this setup in other heroic movie plots, his mind races to get slightly ahead of the protagonist's ascension to mystic warrior, yet such never comes in the expected form. The manner in which it does finally arrive feels wholly underwhelming, undeserved, and accidental. Any of hundreds of men or women shown us by the film could have achieved the same end.
Visually 'Elysium'stuns with first rate computer generated spacecraft and robotic bipeds perhaps the most well rendered in any science fiction film in recent memory. Particles dance from the nozzles of hovering ships and shards of metal fly from damaged androids. The effects certainly impress.
However design of the titular orbiting Garden of Eden was very obviously drawn from the ring world in the HALO series of video games and appeared neither realistic nor functional with its lush estates and forested parks somehow open to the void of space.
As for the premise itself ... supposedly in the future world of 'Elysium' the earth is a wasteland abandoned by the wealthy for the paradise of the aforementioned orbiting space station. What left me puzzled most were shots of the "ruined" planet earth which seemed plenty habitable enough. The masses of poor denied nirvana on elysium station wore no breathing apparatus against polluted air, moved healthily enough around their shanty neighborhoods, and no mention was ever made of irradiated wastes or a failed ozone layer. What made this future earth so harsh and inhospitable? The movie never shows or tells us.
Main character 'Max' played as Matt Damon - by Matt Damon - is an ex-con machine shop worker who is the sole remaining Caucasian inhabitant of future Los Angeles (or so it seems). Flashbacks show him growing up with a Spanish speaking guardian and beautiful Hispanic girl now nurse, 'Frey' played by Alice Braga, who reminds me very wonderfully of Maria Conchita Alonso.
Max's criminal past as a serial car thief refuses to let him go, and one day a ghastly workplace accident leaves him with no choice but to try and get up to elysium for medical care not available on earth. Though rendered almost completely unable to move under his own power, a way is given him to perform one last heist with the payoff he seeks as reward.
A mention of suspension of disbelief is due here. A number of dare I say wacky events occur which defy the laws of reasonable belief. Now, because 'Elysium' is a science fiction epic, you'd expect far fetched goings on. Not an issue so long as some even brief explanation of the technology involved is presented. Rather than provide the viewer with some "this is why that can do this crazy thing" 'Elysium' tells us to believe in it because it is set in the future. Well, in the future shoulder fired rockets can take down spacecraft well out of the earth's atmosphere.
Most of the rest of the cast is watchable if not necessary to the plot or likable. Psychotic assassion 'Kruger' played by Sharlto Copley may be a merciless mass murderer, yet his high pitched thickly accented voice draws humor instead of horror. Secretary of Defense on-board Elysium 'Delacourt' played woodenly by Jodie Foster was highly unnecessary to the plot. She's a real bad girl who delights in smashing the hopes and bodies of the poor; why Foster attached herself to the film is a relevant question.
Like most avid science fiction fans I can't get enough future thrills, kills and tech from print or silver screen. Unfortunately 'Elysium' is neither a filling nor pleasant genre fix. At its heart it is a cruel story which conducts its study of the disparity between rich and poor, entitled and impoverished with sledgehammer instead of subtle brush strokes to convey its message. Much like Blomkamp's 'District 9' 'Elysium' portrays the South African as a genocidal, jackboot wearing specimen of the human race.
Five out of ten stars for amazing special effects and Alice Braga's channeling of Maria Conchita Alonso.
Recommendations suspended, as unless you watch this film for the effects alone, it will disappoint you.