Review: Elysium (2013)

Elysium 1

Who needs subtlety when you can just bend your audience over and cram your message up their b-holes? Message received! Keep in mind that this might not be the most effective way to get a point across to someone, so don’t go trying that at home- and if you do, keep my name out of it.

Neil Blomkamp’s Elysium has a message and it’s not shy about letting you know it. In the future, the rich people will leave Earth to live on a paradise planet, Elysium, where they have machines that can cure anything and everything, and nothing bad ever happens. While they live the eternal life of grandeur, the not so rich people will be left with the ruins of Earth. Jobs, food, and medical assistance will be as scarce as finding a cat who loves to swim. Max (Matt Damon) hunts for a way to get to Elysium and is willing to get there at all costs. Also, apparently, in the future, the United States’ first language will be Spanish.

elysium

Though Elysium wears its agenda on its sleeve, it didn’t bother me, since the point is particularly relevant today- do the rich get extra privileges while the poor suffer the consequences? Elysium’s story isn’t perfect, but it does get you to like Max and want to go along with him for the bumpy ride. The ending felt a bit lackluster, however, as its fairly predictable outside of one bold move which I applaud Neil Blomkamp for taking.

The film starts the action-race off at a slow and steady pace, but after the first lap, it takes off full speed and doesn’t slow down until it crosses the finish line- and that’s what I like about it. The typical act two slow spell doesn’t happen, and is instead filled with  shootouts and chase scenes. All in all, this decent flick gets two-thirds of a thumbs up from this Action Chick.

 

Action Rating: 3 ½ Bald-headed Matt Damons in Exosuits, out of 5!

This is the Action Flick Chick, and you’ve just been kicked in the ass!

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About Action Flick Chick

Action Flick Chick Katrina Hill, author of the books Action Movie Freak and 100 Greatest Graphic Novels , learned to appreciate all things action at a young age by sneaking into the room while her two older brothers watched action movies and horror. At ActionFlickChick.com, she shares her love of these films with everyone, along with interviews, news, and whatever else she happens to choose. G4TV crowned her their Next Woman of the Web champion, and she co-hosted MTV Geek’s live Comic-Con coverage. Her articles have appeared at sites including MTV.com, io9.com, Arcade Sushi, and Newsarama. Follow her as @ActionChick on Twitter. Base of operations: Dallas, Texas. Favorite Movie: Tremors (1990).
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3 Responses to Review: Elysium (2013)

  1. Pingback: Rocket Llama HQ - » Review: Elysium (2013)

  2. David R. says:

    I couldn’t help but be reminded of Johnny Mnemonic by a lot of the characters.

  3. Dan O. says:

    Not as good as District 9, but still solid in terms of its action and its thrills. That’s all I really cared about. Good review.

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