Elysium

The year is 2154. Earth is overpopulated and ruined, while hunger, poverty and disease are rife. Elysium, meanwhile, is a utopia in space that its ultra-rich inhabitants will murder to keep to themselves. But when Max (Damon), a factory worker, finds himself with very little time left to live, he resolves to break into Elysium and use its near-limitless capabilities to save himself. Armed with a powerful experimental exoskeleton, he stands a better chance than most, though Elysium still has one trick remaining – its secret police force, led by the ultra-violent Kruger (Copley).

Elysium is South African director Neill Blomkamp’s second film after he stormed into cinemas with District 9 back in 2010. Much like District 9, Elysium blends many complex political and social themes into the average summer blockbuster, but it’s set apart from its predecessor by its much more impressive scope and tightened action, with the visual effects also being top notch.

The cast performances are one of Elysium’s greatest strengths. Matt Damon is on fine form as the average man thrust into greatness, Max, whilst Jodie Foster gets to dig her teeth into a more villainous role as the slimy amoral Secretary of Elysium. But it’s Sharlto Copley who really shines as the murderous Kruger, a man for whom brutality is far too easy.

Elysium has been a long time coming, but it’s definitely been worth the wait. A very good example of both the thinking man’s sci-fi and also a summer action blockbuster, Elysium further cements director Neill Blomkamp as a person to watch in the future.

Tom Freeman