Neill Blomkamp's Elysium

[Walker]

Good question.

I liked Pacific Rim better, it was more upbeat and positive which was refreshing. But for a R-Rated blockbuster, it was pretty good. I'd rank it fairly high. I think it's one of the highlights this summer. But sadly, that's not saying much. But that doesn't mean the film is bad in anyway.

if you want a summer rank-

Pacific Rim
Elysium
This is The End
Iron Man 3
The Conjuring
Wolverine
Into Darkness


Man of Steel
World War Z
Hangover III
After Earth

Fairly good list. I agree with the majority of it. I just have to ask though, what didn't you like about STID?

As well as:

And did it have enough action to keep the typical movie-goer entertained?

 

[CelticPredator]

The rip-offs. I like the film, but the ending and the aping of Wrath of Khan really made it not as enjoyable for me.

And yes it did. Good action. It's not a slow film.

 

[youngbloodsc]

Was there a trailer for the new Robocop movie before Elysium?

 

[CelticPredator]

No. No RoboCop trailer.

 

[krec9]

I want to do a longer review. So I did!1111` ITS EPIC


Around the year 2006, there were talks of the Halo film. Like all Halo fans, I was interested, if not ****ING EXCITED. Who would they get to direct it? Oh, Peter Jackson is producing it? Cool....who's directing it...oh....some guy named Neill Blomkamp. Uh. Ok. Why? His short films? Let me check them out....

Ok. Yeah. Get this guy to make Halo.

Flash forward to 2013. GET THIS GUY TO MAKE HALO. Neill's Halo project may have died, but perhaps thankfully so. District 9 is still one of the best science fiction movies I've seen in years. It holds up every single time. It's one of the few movies you could almost call perfect.

How does Elysium, his newest film hold up? Not as good. But does that make it a bad film? Not in any way. It's good. Really good. Just doesn't quite hit where I wanted it too. The film has a very simple story. Which turns a lot of people off who need convolution. But that's OK. because this film isn't like District 9 where it's a more personal tale about racisim and violence. This film is pretty much a summer blockbuster, through and through. But a really, really good one.

The acting is pretty good, Jodi Foster is a bit hammy, but that's s'ok. Ham is good sometimes. Matt Damon is serviceable. But the real star, is Sharlto mutha ****in Coply. The man. Always fun to watch. I'll continue to see every film he's in from here on out.

But I had issues with it. The characters are eh at best. Nothing really too deep. You can see where everything is going, but like I said earlier, that doesn't really make it a bad movie. I still found myself engaged enough to care on a basic level, which was nice.

Now let's get into the real reason why you need to see this film. The effects. Oh my ****. This is world building done right. I will quote the great Rick McCullan, producer of the Prequels "It's so dense, every image has so many things going on." Except this time, it's not done by a hack idiot who made some of the most visually uninteresting films of all time...but I digress...
Neill's Robot fetish is full swing here, and by god, can he do robots. All the robots in this film are astounding pieces of machinery, they look and fell real. Loved them.

Elysium is a pretty amazing looking piece of art it's self. Full of so many rich details and little visual touches that really make it something to look at. My favorite scene in the film is where a character looses his ENTIRE FACE, and they reconstruct it using the magical medical machines. That was impressive. Practical and CGI in perfect unison.

Ooh, got to talk about the guns. Some impressive, body annihilating weapons in this film. I expected nothing less from Mr. Blomkamp. That guy can do exploding people like no one else. Chem-Trail was a particularly badass piece of weaponry.

There is a message in this film. It's pretty obvious. If you can just ya know....not let politics take over your life, and just mearly disagree with the film, you can enjoy it.

It's not a perfect film. Has a small amount of flaws. But it's a solid blockbuster action film done by someone who isn't a hack, and or stupid.

Also, seriously, if they can, get this guy to direct Halo.

Good review love hearing from a film fan and not a fanboy.

 

[SOLIDSNAKE]

wow !! THE SOUNDTRACK IS UNREAL.
going to buy it today.

[ame]https://youtu.be/TOEC3LNEEUw[/ame]

Ryan amon + Neill = perfection.

going to go see it again tonight.

 

[SOLIDSNAKE]

My list for movies this summer.

still # 1
MAN OF STEEL
Elysium
Wolverine
Fast 6
Pacific rim.


ohh and all you wonder where Iron man 3 is ??? well is in the worst movie list of 2013.

 

[jye4ever]

Great review CP.

 

[Darkmatter]

My list for movies this summer.

still # 1
MAN OF STEEL
Elysium
Wolverine
Fast 6
Pacific rim.


ohh and all you wonder where Iron man 3 is ??? well is in the worst movie list of 2013.

uh huh, not from where i'm sitting and the people who forked over a billion in ticket sales alone.

the exploration of tony's character was outstanding and the fact half the time he didn't have a viable working suit but still got the job done was amazing. that's why the tony stark, the mechanic figure will be one of the most sought after pieces. it sums up tony's genius and improvisational skills perfectly. i guess some people just want a michael bay type movie. as long as there's an explosion a minute they're happy.

 

[olbertfrog]

See what i meant about the story...
This review sums is up pretty well
https://io9.com/neill-blomkamps-elysium-is-crazy-sweaty-fun-1074576876

Next time some should chill before jumping at peoples throats.

The art book is amazing, Aaron Beck is a god.

 

[Sithlord1975]

My list for movies this summer.

still # 1
MAN OF STEEL
Elysium
Wolverine
Fast 6
Pacific rim.


ohh and all you wonder where Iron man 3 is ??? well is in the worst movie list of 2013.

LOL
If you say so.

 

[Sithlord1975]

uh huh, not from where i'm sitting and the people who forked over a billion in ticket sales alone.

the exploration of tony's character was outstanding and the fact half the time he didn't have a viable working suit but still got the job done was amazing. that's why the tony stark, the mechanic figure will be one of the most sought after pieces. it sums up tony's genius and improvisational skills perfectly. i guess some people just want a michael bay type movie. as long as there's an explosion a minute they're happy.

100% AGREE.


People who didn't like it, just wanted the same thing over and over again. They did something different, they showed his human side, they showed him vulnerable.

 

[jye4ever]

Not as good as D9 but still worth seeing.

Wife and I are 1st generation immigrants to the US so this movie did have meaning for us.

Wife cried at the end.

Best effects of the year.

 

[Adolfo]

This film for me is this years Looper & D9 ...Loved it and a Bluray purchase

 

[CelticPredator]

its beautiful. even if you hate the story, i think the effects make up for it

 

[Vivek]

Sharlto Copley is giving away his hero sword used during the filming of Elysium. This contest is open to American residents only. More giveaways for fans in other countries is in the pipeline.

From Sharlto Copley's Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...set=a.457028117368.250681.108950282368&type=1

"WANT TO WIN KRUGER'S SWORD? Hi guys - i've decided to give away my beloved sword to one lucky facebook fan. Yup, it's the one and only actual "hero sword" I used in the film. We had other stunt ones, but this was the only "hero" one that I had to be careful not to damage during filming. It's made of aircraft grade aluminum. I'm sorry but due to legal issues, we are only able to offer this contest to American residents. Will have to find some more stuff to give away for other countries later. "

https://www.facebook.com/pages/SHARLTO-COPLEY/108950282368?id=108950282368&sk=app_473038836144434

 

[Rorywan]

Nice effects, pretty poor acting. Story a bit bland. Ok.
Disappointed with this.

 

[Darth Vader]

I entered into his Facebook Contest, I never win anything. lol

 

[olbertfrog]

Nice effects, pretty poor acting. Story a bit bland. Ok.
Disappointed with this.

HOW CAN YOU?????
You're a hater!!!!!
Take you negativity somewhere else.
You should be banned!

Just kidding

 

[crows]

wow !! THE SOUNDTRACK IS UNREAL.
going to buy it today.

https://youtu.be/TOEC3LNEEUw

Ryan amon + Neill = perfection.

going to go see it again tonight.

that is awesome. i love it