WHY "ELYSIUM" WILL BE THE NEXT BIG THING IN SCI-FI!
Science fiction peered over its glasses in interest when the seventh "Star Wars" movie was announced in what feels like years ago. The genre, and let's be real here, has had only a few gems in the past few years, obviously "Inception," "Avatar" and "I Am Legend" have provided memorable genre astounding moments, but movies like "Prometheus," the grandson of the "Alien" series was received lukewarmly with critics and fans alike. Remakes last year like "Total Recall" and "Dredd 3D" underwhelmed audiences, perhaps because they don't want to see retreads of their science-fiction staples on the big screen.
Before "Inception" and "Avatar" however, was "District 9." A wholly original sci-fi tale cleverly wrapped with themes including xenophobia, poverty issues and social problems, "District 9" also provided gorgeous (if grotesque) special effects and a riveting story. I first watched it at a friend's house, and was uneasy about it, mostly because I couldn't understand anything in their thick accents, and I'm not talking about the aliens. A second viewing on TV cleared up my concerns with captions, and I realized how brilliant the film really was. I did the same with "Inception;" I actually briefly fell asleep while watching it in the summer of 2010, but a repeated viewing instantly cleared up any doubts it was one of the most original stories I'd seen in a while, spinning top withholding.
"District 9" also scored an extremely rare Best Picture nomination for a sci-fi film, along with it's more popular blue cousin "Avatar." "Avatar" had the momentum of going to be the biggest film of all time..."District 9" just had the strong word of mouth that led to its stellar box office success. That's why I believe Neil Blomkamp, who created "District 9" and "Elysium," will be directing science fiction's next big thing. Like "District 9," the "Elysium" trailer promises a thoroughly entertaining premise, in which the poor live in a dystopian Earth, and the lavishly wealthy live in a space station. 99% anyone? It promises the same type of premise which all good sci-fi relies on, parables of things that COULD happen, and the hero/vigilante that realizes they can't tolerate any longer.
That idea was squandered in the Justin Timberlake vehicle "In Time," which could have been so much more. Damon's robotic attire already ensures a good time, have you seen that thing? Besides the reliable Jodie Foster the rest of the cast is fairly anonymous, but "Elysium" could provide breakout status for some like it did for Sharlto Copley, who immediately starred in "The A Team" the following year. Plus, it could send a message to studios that thought provoking science fiction with original storytelling is something we all want to see, instead of the bright idea that we're all three years old, and won't mind watching the same thing over and over and over.
Before "Inception" and "Avatar" however, was "District 9." A wholly original sci-fi tale cleverly wrapped with themes including xenophobia, poverty issues and social problems, "District 9" also provided gorgeous (if grotesque) special effects and a riveting story. I first watched it at a friend's house, and was uneasy about it, mostly because I couldn't understand anything in their thick accents, and I'm not talking about the aliens. A second viewing on TV cleared up my concerns with captions, and I realized how brilliant the film really was. I did the same with "Inception;" I actually briefly fell asleep while watching it in the summer of 2010, but a repeated viewing instantly cleared up any doubts it was one of the most original stories I'd seen in a while, spinning top withholding.
"District 9" also scored an extremely rare Best Picture nomination for a sci-fi film, along with it's more popular blue cousin "Avatar." "Avatar" had the momentum of going to be the biggest film of all time..."District 9" just had the strong word of mouth that led to its stellar box office success. That's why I believe Neil Blomkamp, who created "District 9" and "Elysium," will be directing science fiction's next big thing. Like "District 9," the "Elysium" trailer promises a thoroughly entertaining premise, in which the poor live in a dystopian Earth, and the lavishly wealthy live in a space station. 99% anyone? It promises the same type of premise which all good sci-fi relies on, parables of things that COULD happen, and the hero/vigilante that realizes they can't tolerate any longer.That idea was squandered in the Justin Timberlake vehicle "In Time," which could have been so much more. Damon's robotic attire already ensures a good time, have you seen that thing? Besides the reliable Jodie Foster the rest of the cast is fairly anonymous, but "Elysium" could provide breakout status for some like it did for Sharlto Copley, who immediately starred in "The A Team" the following year. Plus, it could send a message to studios that thought provoking science fiction with original storytelling is something we all want to see, instead of the bright idea that we're all three years old, and won't mind watching the same thing over and over and over.
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