A Rewarding, Visually stunning Sci-fi

Rating: 8/10 (28 October 2014)

Well, as it is said, you can't always trust a movie on its review. Review to a movie is supposed to be praising its goodness and integrity and also evaluating for its defects and faults. But some folks won't take the risks of spending time on watching the movie in order to give an honest review. Instead takes the shortcuts of imitating and copying others, end up degrading the film. Wherein reality, the facts will be just the opposite of their hideous statements. For me, the movie Oblivion felt like such a victim of false criticism. Movie reviewing sites like 'Rotten Tomatoes' brands Oblivion really rotten. Well, I would say, it's not the movie that's 'rotten' here but it's the review that's rotten obviously.
Oblivion is based on the graphic novels of Joseph Kosinki who himself directs the sci-fi, action-adventure flick. Though his previous visionary and technically rich Tron: Legacy (2010) was acclaimed for its visual treatment, Oblivion is far superior to its predecessor on technical and visual features. It's gorgeously designed and mind blending and striking in graphics. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic earth which is destroyed by the invasion of some kind of aliens, 'The Scaves' as the film refers to it. The opening narration says initially it was not by the action of aliens that the earth was destroyed but was because of the humans own actions to win the war against the extra-terrestrials. "We had to nuke 'em" and leave the earth hard to inhabit because of the hazardous radiations aftermath produced. With a devastated earth and partially obliterated moon, the humans are forced to shift their habitat to Titan, the moon of Saturn.
Tom cruise as the Commander Jack Harper, a repairman who fixes anti- alien drones on earth, offers an exuberant performance. Other prominent casts include Morgan Freeman, Olga Kurylenko and Andrea Riseborough. The movie is primarily condemned for its lack of story (I don't know why they say it but the story is indeed intriguing), despite its praise of visually striking originality. The plot is above average for the subject it speaks, giving importance both to the characters and theme. But it occasionally fails to connect between the story and bringing out effective sentiments. Also feels a bit lagging during the half time but takes it pace and momentum in the third quarter. It does bring some unexpected twists which are OK, but overall succeeds in the attempt to show some reasonable climax. The film speaks about aspects of alienation, colonialism, apocalypse, war and scientific themes like technology, the future life and infinitesimal mentions to human cloning, dystopian and cyberpunk genre.
Overall Oblivion is an enthusiastic fiction worth watching. Great graphics and visuals, beautifully designed and architects. Will be a treat to the fans of Tom cruise and the genre. But in the end, like everything it's subjective. It depends upon the person's tastes and perceptions. For me, it's a worth watching movie.