Oblivion

From director Joseph Kosinski (Tron: Legacy), Oblivion is a seldom seen example of a sci-fi film which is truly deserving of the word epic. Although only Kosinski’s second directorial effort and first as a writer, he shows expertise beyond his limited experience to produce a film that thrills and entertains throughout.

Oblivion tells the story of Commander Jack Harper (Cruise) who patrols the skies over an abandoned and ravaged Earth that still bears the scars of a war fought decades previously against alien invaders. With humanity living in airborne cities above him, Harper finds and rescues a beautiful stranger, played ably by Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace), from a crashed spacecraft. He meets other earth dwellers, including Morgan Freeman on excellent form, and on the way discovers that everything he thought he knew about the world could be called into question.

Making the most of a healthy budget, the visual effects are gorgeous and, coupled with the stunning vistas provided by location shoots in Iceland, provide a beautiful backdrop for this thrilling film. The deft hands of Academy Award-winning cinematographer Claudio Miranda (Life of Pi) have clearly been felt; the visuals of the movie alone are worth the watch.

Tom Cruise is not often associated with sci-fi, but he does a sublime job here holding the film together with his wealth of experience as an action star. With the supporting cast doing just as well and an engaging plot that will keep you gripped from the opening scene to the last, this could well turn out to be the film event of 2013 and is definitely not one to miss.

Hugh Nurse