Elysium - another hit in same mold as District 9

Rating: 7/10 (6 September 2013)

Firstly I would like to point out this is a film for entertainment purposes, not an accurate portal of life in 2154 like some reviewers seem to think. The film did not hold back on the amazing visuals that I was expecting - I just regret not traveling the distance to see it on imax. The story is quite basic but is held up by the strong undercurrent of morals that the director likes to put across, as in his previous film District 9, however idealistic these may be - it doesn't really matter after all we are talking sci-fi here ie. Access to all citizens to Elysium probably would not end well and access to such amazing health care would, I presume end in a pretty bad population boom on Earth. Other reviewers mention problems with the radiation dosing that Max receives at his factory - lethal doses are used to clean and dose samples in labs today and, yes, the technicians are able to walk into the machine and retrieve their sample with no problems - not all radiation hangs around like nuclear waste radiation! So this is not a flaw! I also found it refreshing that the love interest was not that interested - makes it more believable I think. Yes the memory flashbacks were chokingly sentimental but it didn't detract too much. Another reviewer also said it would be better for the little girl to have been Max's daughter - again this is such a typical path for a Hollywood film - I think it was far better that she wasn't. Overall not quite as good as District 9 but a brilliant sci-fi. I will be buying the blurry when it is released!