Coluna Claquete – April, 19th 2013
Movie of the Week: “Oblivion”
Despite the sci-fi genre be very common in the cinema, is also one of the most difficult for satisfying the public, either by the evolution of technology, either by the poverty of new ideas, repeating old hits to ensure good box office. So it is very nice to watch a movie like “Oblivion”, that brings something different to lovers of the genre.
The year is 2077. The planet Earth is devastated, almost lifeless after a terrible war against alien invaders. The war was won by the humans, but at a very high cost, a sterile planet, with many areas with high levels of radioactivity.
Most humans has moved to Titan, the largest satellite of Jupiter, while a small force remained in Earth orbit in a giant space station named TET. Other colossal machines suck water from the oceans to turn it into energy.
To protect these machines, there are the Drones, flying robots that watch over nearby territory, because there are still remaining aliens, called looters, who constantly attack human settlements.
Jack Harper (Tom Cruise) and his partner, Vika (Andrea Riseborough) are among the few humans who are still coming to the desolate planet. From the top of a small space station, just a few kilometers in height, they make the maintenance of the Drones, always under the supervision of TET.
Jack and Vika had their memories erased of all past events. Their only concerns are that in just two weeks they will leave Earth to join the rest of humanity on Titan.
But if all is well for Vika, the same does not happen with Jack. He is constantly disturbed by dreams with a strange woman, while he asks himself if they really must leave Earth.
Two events will dramatically change his routine. When investigating the collapse of an ancient human spaceship, he discovers that the mysterious woman of his dreams is among the survivors, in a carrier of suspended life. To his surprise, the Drones kill all humans, as he stands in front of the robot to protect the woman.
Then they are captured by the looters, who are not actually aliens, but humans in disguise, who live hidden in ancient underground facilities.
Jack discovers many revelations which radically change his idea of the world, especially when he discovers he is not alone, and knows that nothing is true, and that the fate of humanity is – literally – in his hands.
“Oblivion” brings some elements well known as the doomsday scenario – before I forget, New York was destroyed again – the alien menace, the resistance of humans, etc. ..
But the script is tightly tied, the edition has a breathtaking pace, and the special effects, present in virtually every scene of the film, are absolutely stunning.
The main cast, though small, is very well, starting by Cruise, a fiftie guy which continues starring action roles. The Ukrainian Olga Kurylenko need not strive as much as their characters in “Hitman” and “Quantum of Solace”. The major work was for Andrea Riseborough, the lover and boss of Harper. But, steal the show everytime, always, is the specialty of Morgan Freeman.
“Oblivion” is a science fiction full of action, with some good surprises in the story, and a fantastic visual. Although many explosions and shootings, there is no explicit violence, so that is a program for the whole family, which is favored by the indicative rating of 12.