Wall-E Returns: Bigger n' Larger

Rating: 8/10 (6 August 2013)

Without trying to give anything away and beyond the grand scale and excellent cinematography, Oblivion survives and thrives on greattwists.
Admittedly, I did want to see this in theatres – yes: I am a die-hard Tom Cruise fan, but I missed it on the big screen. I did think the trailers gave away too much, but that didn't detour me from seeing it. I just got lazy. At any rate, I was wrong.
The sneak previews for Oblivion only made me think of a live-action version of Pixar's Wall-E. While, it does begin that way – sorta – and the cinematography in both films is brilliant, fresh and gorgeous, the based-on-a-graphic-novel-idea Oblivion turns into a very nicely written story of "I didn't see that coming!" twists.
Jack & Victoria are put on a mostly-destroyed Earth of the future to help harvest needed supplies after a tremendous alien war in which humans "won," but now have to reside on a far distant moon. Machines assist, but it's really up to the duo to ensure success. OnlyJack's developing "unnecessary emotions" that might disrupt his mission. This leads to that, that leads to discovery and mystery and finally totrue love?
Trust me: I haven't given anything (of significance) away. The joy in this movie, again, besides the crisp scenery, is what you'll learn along the way.
Now, with all this praise I've given this sci-fi, futuristic yarn, it's not without its problems.
At times, it has M. Night Shyamalan (The Happening) and Nicholas Winding Refn's (Only God Forgives) sense of SLOWED DOWN for SUPPOSED SUSPENSE scenes. Yes, I do have a problem with characters slowly walking across the room that somehow translates into tension. I don't buy it and it just drags out scenes. Also, while I am a fan (as stated) of Cruise and the Mission: Impossible series, it was not refreshing to see Cruise reprise his yelling role from the first and weakest entry of that action series. Finally, the movie really produced no real characters I found that broke any mold. While all actors played their part the best they could, none stood out or made me take notice.
Thoroughly, beyond my last criticisms, I did have a good time and I look forward to seeing it again. It did have a good portion of action and beautiful scenes. But, most of all, I love how the story played out in the last act.
And that moon! What an awesome, albeit terrifying sight! Be kind to our moon, people: Walk on it all you want, but leave it be!