Elysium - 4K + Blu-ray + Digital

Elysium is a great sci-fi movie with an interesting story and strong action scenes. The Blu-ray version looks sharp and the sound quality is excellent. It’s also nice that it includes the DVD for more viewing options. Overall, a solid movie and a great addition to any collection.

Neil Blomkamp has done it again and shown us that "District 9" was not a one-trick pony. His part-dystopian, part-visionary look into a futuristic Earth set in the 22nd century is a fantastic spectacle laced with some social commentary. Matt Damon plays the hero of this action-drama set in a future in which human society on Earth has suffered significant decay. Those with wealth and means have escaped the planetary bounds to live in an artificial ring-world habitat called Elysium in orbit about the planet. As the story unfolds, it soon becomes clear that those who live in Elysium are in power and have the best that modern science and technology has to offer to support their lives, while the masses on Earth live in squalor in a police-state society. Damon's character is a factory worker with a criminal past that is just scraping by when misfortune enters his life. The only way out for him is to reach Elysium, but citizens from Earth are apparently almost never allowed to go there. His journey to try to get there requires desperate measures that set up an action-driven plotline laced with elements of drama and a bit of political intrigue. I love both the look and intensity of this film. Neil Blomkamp shows us a future that is technologically-advanced in a plausible way , but that also contains some sobering and somewhat terrifying elements. The story is accessible and easy to relate to without unnecessary complication, and yet the society we are shown has a depth and complexity that makes it compelling and all too real. Although we are not given much of the history that leads to this future, it is not hard to extrapolate from certain elements of current human society and accept this as one plausible outcome. I would have loved to have spent more time being immersed in this world, but what's there is a self-contained story that should leave most viewers satisfied with time well spent. Our solace for having to leave is that Blomkamp is still early in his career as a writer and director, and we can hope to see much more of his creativity and storytelling in years to come.

Before going on, I had had many reviews and thoughts on this movie. The most resounding criticisms I heard was that this movie was not as good as District 9, and that it was big on action, but small on social commentary. Personally, I did not see it in these terms. As far as I was concerned, the movie had plenty to offer in the way of social commentary, it was just that it was rather heavy-handed and obvious about it. All throughout the movie, much is made about the divisions between those who live in orbit and those who live Earthside. The fact that people below will risk life and limb to get to Elysium, and that Secretary Rhobes is willing to kill to keep them from doing so, is also demonstrated without a lick of subtlety. And just about everything else, from titles (“Homeland Security”), settings, anecdotes, and use of language (English, French, Spanish), serve to underline this. The issue here isn’t that the movie lacks in social commentary, it’s that Blomkamp chose to spell it out for the audience. This is not to say that the commentary isn’t effective – though obvious, the points raised are valid and need to be made. Immigration, health care, privilege, and the distribution of technology based on wealth; all of these are relevant concerns are likely to get even more so as climate change becomes more of a problem. And since this last bit was a central part of the plot, it was certainly not lost on me. And the action was good. Real good. Like action-porn good! Between the exoskeleton’s, futuristic guns, drones, aerospace vehicles, guided missiles, explosive devices, cybernetics, and fistycuffs, Blompkamp once again demonstrated his ability to make sci-fi geeks croon and drool! And then there were the visuals, which were also very compelling and breathtaking. Between the extensive, sprawling slums of Earth (clearly inspired by the shantytowns of Johannesburg), Elysium’s beautifully rendered rotating frame and artificial atmosphere, and the robots, souped up cars, and spaceships of this movie, everything looked pretty damn cool and kick-ass! It was just too bad Neill didn’t let the scenery and plot tell the story and felt the need to repeatedly tell the audience what it was all about. Overall, I give this movie a solid 8 out of 10. Most of that is awarded for action, effects and visuals. but it’s still an 8!

For a recent Sci-fi movie, this one has it all. Solid & believable characters, superb acting; great AI imaging, a very relatable of story.

1. Amazon US uses a slim bluray cover instead of the normal thick one. This is the second bluray I buy from Amazon US via AU that is delivered on this thin case. It does have sign of bent, I mean, there is no enough material. I mainly buy media from Amazon UK, I am sticking to that no matter how good the deal is. Unfortunately, I got more bluray coming from Amazon US and I don't know how to feel about it, cancel all the orders perhaps. 2. The case looks like somebody held it against the asphalt and dragged it, it looks garbage. 3. Totally don't recommend this bluray release.

Llegó antes de lo mencionado sin detalles. Muy satisfecho con la compra

A great masterpiece that has your mind on the go, Cast are terrific and storyline is just as good so where can you go wrong. We have the rich and the underdogs so one has got nothing to lose by trying everything and everyway getting to what they want. The only thing is you have a slight problem and that is you need to have a space craft to achieve your goal, make the flight or die trying is the motto.The effects are fantastic that will make you sit up with envy to that I rated this an A grade plus for continuing action every which way that you wont move for fear of missing something. Now telling more will spoil it so I will let you plunder on that and think but not for to long as we don't want you to get a headache. Fast and delivering exploding ideas that you will be wrapped up so much once you start watching you'll forget everything else so I suggest you collect the popcorn run to the lounge put your feet up ready for a fabulous night of entertainment you wont regret and than you can pass on what you think to others. Enjoy!

Avvincente, senza respiro, mai una sosta.

Great movie, Thanks