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Elysium (2013)

tomatometer

68

Average Rating: 6.5/10
Reviews Counted: 224
Fresh: 153 | Rotten: 71

After the heady sci-fi thrills of District 9, Elysium is a bit of a comedown for director Neill Blomkamp, but on its own terms, it delivers just often enough to satisfy.

65

Average Rating: 6.5/10
Critic Reviews: 46
Fresh: 30 | Rotten: 16

After the heady sci-fi thrills of District 9, Elysium is a bit of a comedown for director Neill Blomkamp, but on its own terms, it delivers just often enough to satisfy.

audience

64

liked it
Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 101,547

My Rating

Movie Info

In the year 2154, two classes of people exist: the very wealthy, who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. The people of Earth are desperate to escape the planet's crime and poverty, and they critically need the state-of-the-art medical care available on Elysium - but some in Elysium will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve their citizens' luxurious lifestyle. The only man with the chance

R,

Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Neill Blomkamp

Dec 17, 2013

$91.9M

TriStar Pictures - Official Site External Icon

Cast

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All Critics (224) | Top Critics (46) | Fresh (153) | Rotten (71)

Like Max, the movie has to keep moving, and Mr. Blomkamp lets you fill in the gaps yourself as it progresses. Or not.

August 14, 2013 Full Review Source: New York Observer
New York Observer
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Though Elysium is a testament to Blomkamp's extraordinary skill as a visual filmmaker, it does not speak nearly so well for his gifts as a writer.

August 9, 2013 Full Review Source: The Atlantic
The Atlantic
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The action is bludgeoning.

August 9, 2013 Full Review Source: New York Magazine
New York Magazine
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A cautionary tale about the dangers of squandering resources that wastes its own talent.

August 9, 2013 Full Review Source: Globe and Mail
Globe and Mail
Top Critic IconTop Critic

If Elysium is an example of how recession-era Hollywood intends to dramatize the rift between the haves and the have-nots, let's hope the studios don't also bring back Smell-O-Rama.

August 9, 2013 Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor
Christian Science Monitor
Top Critic IconTop Critic

An epic about saving humanity that feels more manufactured than human.

August 9, 2013 Full Review Source: Detroit News
Detroit News
Top Critic IconTop Critic

After District 9, this is a little bit of a disappointment... but a must-see for fans of the genre.

October 5, 2013 Full Review Source: The Aristocrat
The Aristocrat

Damon once again shows why he is one of the best lead actors we have.

October 3, 2013 Full Review Source: CinemaBlend.com
CinemaBlend.com

[Blomkamp] really needs to learn that too much action blunts his more interesting statements.

September 13, 2013 Full Review Source: Mark Leeper's Reviews
Mark Leeper's Reviews

Blomkamp has toned down the body horror in favour of more conventional thrills but handles the shootouts and slugfests with panache. His tale of haves and have nots remains a striking and thought-provoking parable, even if it doesn't fully add up.

September 7, 2013 Full Review Source: Movie Talk
Movie Talk

The occasionally interesting script is bludgeoned by its heavy-handed political pandering.

September 6, 2013 Full Review Source: Spectrum (St. George, Utah)
Spectrum (St. George, Utah)

The logic in the film's dystopian universe seems flimsy under moderate scrutiny. But at least it's ambitious in its attempt to mix sci-fi conventions with social commentary.

August 30, 2013 Full Review Source: Cinemalogue.com
Cinemalogue.com

The film is to be commended for its thought provoking premise - something we haven't seen in many films over the U.S. summer.

August 27, 2013 Full Review Source: ABC Radio Brisbane
ABC Radio Brisbane

A project over-designed yet under-thought.

August 25, 2013 Full Review Source: Electric Sheep
Electric Sheep

Depressingly predictable in its ideas and tedious in its boneheaded brutality.

August 25, 2013 Full Review Source: Observer [UK]
Observer [UK]

The best parts of this 'parallel universe' experience are aesthetic.

August 23, 2013 Full Review Source: Birmingham Mail
Birmingham Mail

Neill Blomkamp cements his science-fiction credentials as a filmmaker with a genre vision the likes of which we haven't seen since the socially conscious SF of the 1970s.

August 23, 2013 Full Review Source: Flick Filosopher
Flick Filosopher

As he did with District 9, South African filmmaker Blomkamp grounds this sci-fi thriller in present-day society, telling a story that resonates with a strong political kick.

August 23, 2013 Full Review Source: Contactmusic.com
Contactmusic.com

It's a long time since any major studio closed the silly season with a $115 million Marxist polemic.

August 23, 2013 Full Review Source: Irish Times
Irish Times

Just as the creation of a future nightmare, one that disturbingly resembles the world we already know, Elysium is masterful - definitely worth seeing.

August 23, 2013 Full Review Source: This is London
This is London

It's great to watch an original blockbuster with some ideas in its head. It's just a pity, and a ironic, that for a film about humanity there's not more human interest.

August 23, 2013 Full Review Source: Daily Express
Daily Express

A ripping, gripping fable about two worlds in a dreary future that doesn't seem as far out of synch with today, or as far away, as we might like to think.

August 22, 2013 Full Review Source: American Profile
American Profile

This is a film with potentially interesting ideas undone by underdeveloped world building.

August 22, 2013 Full Review Source: The Skinny

You don't know where to look next, or to listen, in this movie. Every actor seems to have come from a different rehearsal room.

August 22, 2013 Full Review Source: Financial Times
Financial Times

Once the narrative grinds into gear ... the film's distinctive quality is lost.

August 22, 2013 Full Review Source: Guardian [UK]
Guardian [UK]

Writer-director Neill Blomkamp's follow-up to District 9 is an engaging, fast-paced Sci-Fi thriller with a strong script, gripping action set-pieces, superb special effects work and a terrific central performance from Matt Damon.

August 22, 2013 Full Review Source: ViewLondon
ViewLondon

Audience Reviews for Elysium

Neil Blomkamp proves once again that he is a terrific filmmaker with this follow up to his Sci Fi action Horror drama, District 9. Elysium is a brilliant and engaging Sci Fi film that secures Blomkamp as a talented director who can craft something truly memorable. After seeing Elysium, I was very much impressed with the film, and it is a terrific picture that is engaging from start to finish. Blomkamp directs an impressive cast that really stands out. The plot is well structured and keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The performances of Matt Damon and Jodie Foster are incredible in terms of delivery and they have both done their best work in a while with this film. In terms of action, this one certainly delivers and I really loved the movie and thought it was a far superior work compared to Oblivion, which I felt was decent, but not memorable. At least with Neil Blomkamp's film we get something truly engaging with great performances, wonderful set pieces and a storyline that is really engaging and memorable. Blomkamp is a talented director, and with two great films under his belt, I really can't wait what he'll be directing next. Any viewers looking for effective action film should give this one a shot. This ranks among the best actioners of the year and it is a smartly crafted movie that will delight film fans. This is a perfect movie, and I would say that it is among my favorite this year. What keeps Elysium interesting is that it uses a relatively simple idea, and adds a lot to it due to the new ideas and brilliant talent involved. The results clearly show on-screen, and Elysium is a powerful and unforgettable action picture that is among the finest in the genre in recent years.
June 26, 2013
TheDudeLebowski65
Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski

Super Reviewer

Forgettable dystopian Sci Fi flick, a huge let down considering Blomkamp's District 9 and on its own it's barely passable as a quality film.

The premise, plot and characters all feel like boring recycled archetypes. Even worse when the key antagonist turns out to be some moronic hack n' slash mercenary. People keep praising how it mixes social commentary of the "99% : 1%", but honestly it's the oldest theme in the Sci Fi book and Elysium doesn't even TRY to add anything new to the conversation.

Foster's character was completely squandered and wasted, there were glaring plotholes due to the oversimplification of a clearly complex social structure. The only thing in the film that was commendable was Blomkamp's gritty style/camera work and the actors for making good of what little they had to work with.
September 18, 2013
Drake Tsui

Super Reviewer

    1. Julio: Are you nervous?
    2. Max Da Costa: No.
    3. Julio: No?
    4. Max Da Costa: Me estoy cagando de miedo.
    – Submitted by Alex B (2 days ago)
    1. Kruger: I m Just getting started.
    – Submitted by Anderson W (17 days ago)
    1. Kruger: You think you can get through me!
    – Submitted by Eric K (27 days ago)
    1. Kruger: I will find you! I will hunt you down!
    – Submitted by Eric K (27 days ago)
    1. Kruger: You want to come to my fucking house and play? All right let's fucking play!
    – Submitted by Eric K (27 days ago)
    1. Max Da Costa: I promise you, one day I'll take you to Elysium.
    – Submitted by Marcus Y (52 days ago)
View all quotes (16)

Discussion Forum

Topic Last Post Replies
This got a 69%, and I shoved my hand down that fat guys stomach 23 days ago 44
Really? 34 days ago 14
The Movie was great 18 days ago 14
Hello! 39 days ago 9
Blomkamp is My New Favorite Director 20 days ago 6

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