Wednesday 10 April 2013

Review: Oblivion (Spoiler-free)

World of Blackout 77-Word Film Review

Oblivion Poster

Oblivion (Spoiler-free)
Cert: 12A / 125 mins / Dir. Joseph Kosinski



For the first hour, Oblivion is a slickly assembled if incredibly generic looking Sci-Fi actioner; The production design looks like it came from unused concept art for Star Wars, and the story slides neatly into the holes you expect it to. Then a thing clicks into place, and it suddenly becomes a lot more interesting. It's not a 'twist', just a plot development, but it did make me realise that I wanted to know how the story ended. That happens less often than I'd like, these days.

And the second hour delivered all I wanted it to in terms of story resolution. There are areas I wanted to see explored more (not least, '1 to 51'), but in terms of a Summer Blockbuster the film really worked for me. It's not as dumb as it could be, but doesn't try to baffle the audience with pseudo-science either. Tom Cruise plays that version of himself which we're all familiar with now, Olga Kurylenko pretty much follows his lead and does her best with the screen-time she's allotted, Morgan Freeman is wasted in full pantomime-mode, and it's only really Andrea Riseborough that actually emotes at all. All things considered, she's certainly the most interesting character in the film, and I can't help wonder if she'd have been expanded more if all the spotlights hadn't been shining on Mr Cruise.

Ultimately, it's a pleasant surprise to find a movie with some decent writing behind it. It's not Looper or Inception standard, but few films are, and for good reason.

When it's not busy being The Tom Cruise Show™, Oblivion is engaging and satisfying, if somewhat forgettable in the long-term.


Is the trailer representative of the film?
As much as it can be without giving everything away. It sets the tone well enough.


Did I laugh, cry, gasp and sigh when I was supposed to?
Yes.


Does it achieve what it sets out to do?
Almost.


Pay at the cinema, Rent on DVD or just wait for it to be on the telly?
Cinema / DVD.


Will I think less of you if we disagree about how good/bad this film is?
No.


Will I watch it again?
Yes.


Is there a Wilhelm Scream?
I don't think so, but I heard something pretty damned similar…


And because you won't be happy until I've given it a score...


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• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.
• Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.
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1 comment:

  1. I saw it last night, thought it was good! REED

    ReplyDelete