Great performances and special effects highlight Neill Blomkamp's latest.
He ends up in an accident that gives him five days to live. He feels, though, that he can be healed if he can pay a visit to Elysium, a high-up wealthy community that hangs over Earth in a space station. However, it isn't really a place where tourists can just "drop by", as Delacourt (Jodie Foster) rules it with an iron fist – even going as far as having ships containing sick children blown to bits, without batting an eye.
Meanwhile, Max, desperate to survive, talks to local tech boy Spider (Wagner Moura) to get equipped with a bio-suit, which gives him increased power and will allow him to download data from a local businessman (William Fichtner) to get him to Elysium. Delacourt, hoping to take control of the community, isn't too crazy about this plan, and sends loose cannon Kruger (Sharito Copley) to clean house. Let the sparks fly.
There's a reason Elysium has earned an R-rating, and it's not just because of language. Blomkamp goes all out to make the film feel gritty, whether you're watching Damon get suited up (screws and all) or someone's face get graphically blown off by a grenade. But it's all par for the course, and allows the young director to once again show how he can put together breathtaking special effects on a meager budget. Hollywood studios would learn greatly from him.
