Beautifully rendered and executed movie

Rating: 9/10 (19 April 2013)

I'll admit I'm a bit biased because I've got a lot of love for the style and cinematography Joseph Kosinski and Claudio Miranda brought to Tron Legacy and this film.
Because of that, the film is beautifully done from production design to cinematography to the soundtrack.
I won't go into the plot beyond noting that there's a twist. May not be a major spoiler but for some it might.
I'm becoming a fan of Mr. Kosinski because he manages to tell a great story with a mix of the visual with concise dialog. He unfurls the plot and story with what seems like a measured and experienced hand. It's a combination of a great director and a solid team working with him.
I know some people felt parts of Tron Legacy were hokey or just not really solid but don't let that keep you from seeing this piece. It's a very different movie in that Tron Legacy allowed for some silliness because--I feel at least--the source material allowed for it.
In this case, Oblivion is based on an unpublished graphic novel that Mr. Kosinski put together with Andree Wellin and Arvin Nelson. It's not exactly a Disney movie.
I admit I was a bit worried about Tom Cruise in the lead but he plays it well and in the end convinced me the character fit him like a glove. The other actors put in good performances but the majority of the screen time goes to our hero and Andrea Riseborough who plays Victoria and acts more as a foil to Mr. Cruise--an indicator that that perfect looking facility and their lives may not be as perfect as one initially expects.
And even if you're not a fan of sci-fi, you shouldn't necessarily skip this. The story is more of a human story with the sci-fi being a vehicle to paint the picture, so to speak. The plot twist may or may not blow your mind (well, maybe not blow it) but this isn't Inception. :)
I loved this film. Every aspect clicked for me, from the mood to the look to the music and the premise. It's a great ride. I highly recommend it.