An engaging sci-fi with heart and soul

Rating: 8/10 (28 April 2013)

It's by serendipity that Iron Man 3 ticket ran out and we ended up watching Oblivion in a cinema filled with only a dozen audience.
However, the movie was such a wonderful experience (even cathartic I might add) and mature in its sci-fi conception, that we left the theatre feeling satisfied.
Oblivion feels like a love letter to classic sci-fi movies of bygone eras. As the writer-director Kosinski weaved an intricate narrative that questions the correlation between memories, love and the human identity in this post-apocalyptic future.
The production design is reminiscent of Moon and Alien, whilst the minimalist cast and setting work well with the theme of isolation and 'last humans on Earth'. I would love to live in Jack Harper's Zen-like residence above the clouds.
There are so many homages to classic sci-fi films such as Logan's Run, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner, Silent Running, Total Recall to modern ones like Moon and War of the Worlds.
The music is excellent and has a nostalgic vibe to it. The cast and acting are well performed and consistent. Although I think there is a little pacing issue especially during the lake cabin scenes. And perhaps a lack of chemistry between Kurylenko and Cruise, but the storyline makes up for it.
But overall, Oblivion has become another favourite of mine, and deserve to enter the hall of classic sci-fi films for the ages.