Review: Elysium (2013)

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.

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!