Oblivion brings us pure Science Fiction action, straight from the classic days of the 60’s and 70’s. It is given a lick of paint and a ‘sixty minute makeover’ and we are delivered a great piece of sci-fi action that will appeal to the masses.
Of course it helps that we have an A-list celebrity in the starring role, and some lush futuristic landscapes and visuals, making this easy on the eye and appealing to a big market, If nothing else, this delivers some fantastic eye-candy.
I will be perfectly honest, this movie brings nothing new, storywise, to the table that has not been seen before. The story has been told many times, so sci-fi fans will not be surprised by anything the see, and will most likely be leaving the cinema with a sense of de-ja vous. However, like I have said previously, I don’t think this movie was necessarily made for hardcore Sci-fi nuts, but developed to make money.
The post apocalyptic landscapes are brilliant, and stylishly done, probably the best I have seen on screen. From the old buildings and bridges of old, to the robots, spaceship, and even Cruises futuristic apartment, to the old world of the Resistance, with old-school technology and low-tech gadgets, it is all pleasing to the eye.
Unfortunately, this movie failed to make any risks, which in my opinion crippled the movie. It could have been a movie of epic proportions, but instead ended up with a mediocre outing, that will no doubtedly be mentioned alongside the likes of I Robot, I am Legend, and the remake of Total Recall.
Tom Cruise is the man in charge of monitoring the machines as the suck the resources remaining on Earth, and eliminating what remains of the alien race that invaded the Earth, and ultimately lost the war against the human race, who then packed up and left the planet. Cruise has no memory, and neither does his partner, Andrea Riseborough, who does not leave the apartment, known as Tower 49.
Morgan Freeman also appears in the movie as the leader of the Resistance and puts in a stellar performance. but ultimately this was not enough to lift the movie to the heights that it should have reached.
This movie was not a highlight for anyone involved, but neither was it a blemish on their C.V.s. Worth a watch, I would recommend waiting until it is available on DVD.