Tomorrowland

A futuristic world unlike the tragic world in which we live.

Tomorrowland is a futuristic science fiction film about an alternate world created by the best minds and genius' in our own world. The film centres around a girl named Casey Newton (Britt Robertson), the daughter of a NASA engineer. She manages to get a glimpse of Tomorrowland, a place that promises hope and a better future and immediately soughts out a way to go there. In order to reach this world she has to seek the help of Frank Walker (George Clooney) who once was a part of their society until he was thrown out after creating something terrible.

The film which is created by Disney and based on the theme park, is a very family orientated film. Visually it is stunning, I managed to see it in IMAX which made the film even more impressive. The cinematography and visual effects done on the film manage to capture the audience's attention. The storyline, although fairly straightforward grips you and keeps us engulfed in this crazy adventure.

I think what I liked most was the messages of the film. The film is very self reflective and gets the audience to really step aside for one moment and look at the world that we have created and are effectively destroying. I a typical futuristic manner we get a glimpse of what a future could possibly look like and face issues that currently are being ignored. In this respect the film is very strong and forces the audience to think.

Unfortunately for me the film is too disney-fied in place, it's perfect for children, however if you wanted something with a bit more grit then you may perhaps be slightly disappointed as the film is particularly cheesy and cringey in places.

On the whole however I would recommend seeing it. The cast was strong, Clooney and Robertson did a great job, supported by the likes of Hugh Laurie, Raffery Cassidy and Tim Mcgraw. It's an enjoyable film with an uplifting ending.  Even if the story isn't everything you want it be, visually the film is worth watching.

Elysium

Pretty gory and bloody but thoroughly enjoyable...

Elysium is set in a very shocking and disturbing future of our planet where the poor are left on Earth to suffer from illness and the struggles of poverty.  Meanwhile the rich have taken to an manufactured place called Elysium where everyone can be healed instantly and live their previous luxurious lifestyles.

Matt Damon who plays Max Da Costa, a poor civilian living on Earth, dreams of one day reaching Elysium and being a part of their world. He fights the injustice of society and wants so desperately for everyone to be treated equally.

Jodie Foster stars as Jessica Delacourt, a resident on Elysium who is the secretary of defence and takes charge in ensuring poor folk don't make their way onto Elysium without authorisation. She uses an agent called C.M. Kruger ( Sharlto Copley) plays a large part in this control, destroying anyone who threatens Elysium.

I am a huge fan of films which convey political and social issues. Therefore this film immediately appealed to me. The cast (Jodie Foster, Matt Damon and Sharlto Copley) were all very strong. The blood and guts effects also aided the performances and helped to emphasise the violence and chaos of Earth.

I was particularly impressed with the use of architecture to contrast the two places. Earth, which looked very much like a cluster of slums was very horrific. Elysium on the other hand was beautiful in its appearance.

Of course given the genre there was a lot of action and fight sequences which made the scenes seem thrilling and exciting. I think though perhaps some of the camera movement and flashes may have happened a little quickly making some parts hard to follow.

Overall however I think the film was really effective. The ending (which I won't spoil) was perfect and surprisingly unconventional I think. It very definitely made a statement.


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