Engaging From the First Moment to The Very Last, But Blink-and You'll Miss It !

Rating: 10/10 (20 April 2013)

Every passionate moviegoer (as myself) has a certain annual wish-list of films, he/she is willing to do everything to see ASAP.And as a sci-fi fan, it has from some time been a foregone conclusion that Oblivion stands at the very top of my 2013 must-see-at- all-cost list, right up there with Elysium and Riddick among others.So the time finally came and in the time of writing this review, this nutbag moviegoer has seen the film twice.
Because, love it, or hate it-you must admit, that blink-and you've missed it.Shut down for a moment-and you've missed it.And that's what's so fascinating about this experience.
For those of you, who know Joseph Kosinski-i don't need to tell you, that he's already proved (Tron:Legacy), that he is unparalleled in his vision and style.As if he was born to do sci-fi of the highest order.And even if you wanted, dear reader, you actually cannot look any further than Tron, because there's literally nothing to look at.He is indeed new, but that doesn't seem to be bothering him nor his impeccable vision.
The screen writing is also strong, contrary to critics believes.I found the collaborating between so many people in that department rather useful.In most examples, when one has a few writers or directors, the end product becomes rather divided and visibly shaken and chaotic at moments.But the story with Oblivion is very different and unique in it's own way, thus making it all the more special for us.
So, with such an elite team penning the script, Oblivion grabs you in it's clutches and doesn't let go until the very end, when all the questions you had during the build-up, are either left open for you to decide what to believe in, or unfold logically, without ruining the whole mystery and mesmerizing enigma and integrity of the film, thus making it an experience, the first must-see Experience of the year to date.
And with such a talented group of people at the helms, the only thing missing is an equally strong cast.And, boy oh boy, didn't we get one (that's right, Olga Kurylenko, i'm talking about you).As a person, who's seen the film twice, i consider myself lucky to have been able to focus solely on the actors and their expressions and emotions throughout the second view of the film, so soon after the firs one (it's all still fresh in mind this way).
And it's fitting to begin the examination of the actors and the human factor from the man in the front, Mr. 100 million dollar man Tom Cruise.I personally dislike the guy, because of the lack of emotions on screen and the wild personal life off it.But let's focus on the screen-in films such as all "MissionImpossible"'s, i just can't feel any emotions in Cruise, i understand he must be coldblooded and decisive as Hunt, but even the affection he should have been allegedly feeling towards his loved one, just wasn't there.In his more recent Jack Reacher, it's the same.Rosamund Pike is reaching out, but he's not responding.
But here, he's oddly terrific-he even manages to break a tear or two in a few moments.He feels more human, than he does in the films he actually portrays one.But here, although just a number (roughly said, he's more than that), he has all the emotional mojo going on for him.
Andrea Riseborough' Victoria is a little bit colder than needed, but given her looks, i assume that was the idea all along-a precise, even perfect (on the outside), yet cold woman-a perfect description for a flawed, non- functional "human" being.
As one of my most beloved actresses, Olga Kurylenko's fallen angel, Julia, on the other hand, is Vicka's complete opposite.She's warm, full-blooded, a human being in every sense, and Jack's heart rightfully belongs to her, even when she is nothing more but a distant memory, a dream that comes at night.Even with his memory erased, he still sees her as his love, his life in a past world, not yet plagued by destruction.All that time he has been waiting upon her return in his life.She is even willing to sacrifice herself for the sake of all rebellious people left on earth, in order to preserve a little bit of that world she knows still exists in the heart of the still living humans led by Morgan Freeman and ass-kicker Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau, and, of course, Jack.Both she and Jack understand the meaning and the consequence of an eventual sacrifice, because they both know and with her help, they both remember and see, that really "Earth is a memory worth fighting for".
Aside from the strong tagline, which comes to great aid of the film, and a very accurate one as well, the Cruise/Kurylenko pair is a marvelous one, and after seeing her portray Julia the way she did, i no longer feel sadness over Jessica Chastain's (another muse of mine) drop from the film early on.That's how awesome and human Kurylenko was.Just look at her mesmerizing and beautiful eyes, they express a waterfall of emotions throughout.The just say it all...
And that piece of Paradise Jack has found and made for them at the meadow by the lake, is the most deserving and fitting finale for the two, although there's always a sour note that one must digest.But i won't spoil it for you.
But in the end(linger with me just a little more), Oblivion answers most of the questions it raised, and leaves others intentionally wide open.But the human aspect of it, will remain in my mind as the strongest quality this film possess.And the sheer brilliance in the visionary aspect of it.
A fitting finale (the last heartbreaking & in the same time-heartwarming scene in particular) to a fitting summer 2013 opener and my number one so far this year as well!
A deserved 10/10 for Kurylenko, Cruise, Kosinski & co. for the masterful job on Oblivion!