‘Elysium’ is another dystopian epic from Neill Blomkamp

If District 9 hadn’t hit movie theaters a few years ago, Elysium would feel revelatory. However, because it’s the second dystopian feature from writer-director Neill Blomkamp, everything and everyone feels familiar. That’s not to say that Elysium is a bad movie; even as a second-rate District 9 the film is smarter and edgier than most other mainstream content. Mark this one as another look at an original vision we’ve already come to appreciate.

Matt Damon plays Max, a man trying to stay away from the overpowering robot officials in the environmentally-scarred future. He lives on Earth, or rather what’s left of the planet. Neighborhoods are destroyed. The sun seems even farther away, and there’s nothing green around. Streets are bombed out with rubble, and the wages at his sweat-inducing job are hardly worth the trouble.

His only escape from the mundane existence is Elysium, a colony planet that hovers in orbit around Earth. This is where the wealthy wine and dine as they peer down on the troubled masses of their tortured home planet. It’s a world away, a place where plants exist and security is paramount. Jodie Foster, in one of her finer roles in recent years, plays Delacourt, the woman charged with protecting Elysium’s seclusion and security.

Diego Luna plays Julio, Max’s only friend in the world. Alice Braga is Frey, Max’s on-again-off-again-what-exactly-is-this-relationship girlfriend. They don’t exactly scream a perfect match: He’s a brute, and she’s a caring nurse. Their relationship’s lack of context is the movie’s most glaring error.

Sharlto Copley, who had a breakout role in Blomkamp’s District 9, is Kruger, a man who instills fear. He works for Delacourt on planet Earth, trying to provide solutions to protect her heavenly surroundings. The solutions are often violent, the way he likes them, and off the books, the way she likes them.

Through a series of events, Max finds himself needing the machines on Elysium that cure sickness. Without the technology, he’s a goner. And so we receive Elysium’s main prerogative: These healthcare machines deserve to be used by the masses. Like District 9, Elysium is an allegory for today’s quest to gain access to proper healthcare.

The movie is visually stunning. The stark contrast between the rubble of Earth and the pristine surroundings of Elysium are evident. The tech suits that Max needs to wreak some havoc are too similar to the technology offerings in District 9, but the movie makes good use of them.

In this dystopian future, with all of its hurt and anguish, there’s still room for personalities to shine through the beeps and whistles. Kruger and Max are cinematic originals, representing the best and worst of mankind. Damon has some fun with his role, but Copley obviously enjoys the character and plays him like a firecracker.

Foster is also an appealing actress to watch, especially in this role of Delacourt. She slowly comes undone as her lofty goals fall apart. The fact that she can keep it together for so long, and that we believe her sternness, is a credit to the actress and the fully-realized character she’s playing.

Blomkamp decides to take a bunt for this flick rather than swing for the fences. I’ll still take his retread over most other cinematic fare.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Elysium

• 2013

• Written and directed by Neill Blomkamp

• Starring Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Diego Luna, Sharlto Copley and Alice Braga

• Running time: 109 minutes

• Rated R for strong bloody violence and language throughout

• Rating: