I enjoy a good, action-packed film and I was not disappointed with Elysium. The Earth is diseased and those that are rich and elected can escape the polluted decaying planet to live on Elysium. Elysium is a manufactured 'planet' that can be seen from our dear planet Earth.
Max De Costa (Mat Damon) a poor earthling who was brought up by catholic sisters,was told by the nuns that he was born for a special purpose, destined for a particular reason.
He works in a plant which manufactures androids that police earth, keeping the impoverished population in check by brutal means. Max is contaminated while working in the factory and has only 5 days to live. If he manages to go to Elysium he can be cured, for on Elysium there are machines (which resemble sun-beds) that can heal any disease. In fact, thanks to these machines one can virtually live forever.
The plot thickens when Max visits an old (air-pirate) friend who agrees to take him to Elysium. On one condition, that he downloads the data from an important elite into his own head. Max agrees. Things get wild and furious at this point. Max has also been operated on and has become a semi-robot with extraordinary strength.
Max eventually lands on Elysium after battles with those who want him killed. I forgot to mention an important element. Max has the codes to Elysium in his brain. These codes had been downloaded.
Max dies at the end in order to open the gates of Elysium to all.
The film evokes reflection on several issues including; the environment and our duty to look after planet Earth. Also the issue of immigration. The heaven-like realm of Elysium is an exclusive sphere reserved for the rich and elite. Our world is also divided into the haves and have-nots. The insiders and the outsiders. In my last post I spoke about citizenship. I believe that we are all to be equal citizens on planet Earth, where there is no elitism and no favorites. We are all to be valued, no matter where we come from. With this in mind I believe that our immigration policies should not be seen only to favour our own personal interests but as citizens of planet Earth they should also favour those that are more unfortunate as ourselves. Those that are fleeing misery and hopelessness should be welcomed.
Max is heroic. He consciously lays down his life so that all can enter Elysium. Now I may be stretching this, but there is a clear parallel to the life of Christ, who voluntarily laid down his life so that we can all enter into a new life - now and forever. There is no elitism, no favorites - we are all welcome into the inclusive Realm of Grace.
Hey Mark. Hope you're well. Happened to have just watched it on DVD too. I thought that the idea was fantastic, but personally I was really, really disappointed with much else about it. There was no real character development (pretty much all of them were one dimensional), or a convincing, emotional, contrast between the two worlds. The idea that these people could get within a million miles of Elysium with the amount of observation technology and kick ass robots in the hands of a wealthy, unscrupulous elite was implausible. I personally hate extended fight scenes. And there were far too many of those between Matt Damon (who I usually like) with the stereotypical nasty South African guy. Oh and of course the evil Jodie Foster (who I usually like) wasn't American, but some weird hybrid French/English something. Why does Hollywood do that? Americans can't really be that dumb.
RépondreSupprimerIt had the odd poignant moment, but for me it was a lost opportunity to make a great film. I seem to be getting very picky in my old age. 2 hours wasted for me. :)