This movie can be used to list the fundamental sci-fi elements used in many books and movies. It reminded me of the series Rama by Arthur C. Clarke, Solaris by Stanislav Lem and many different sci-fi books. I don't mean that the film was bad, it was as close to real sci-fi as possible, I really liked the movie. The pace was just right, the psychology (and perhaps sociology) was given in beautifully shot scenes. There were some problems but they did not affect the movie.
I believe pure sci-fi is the best and this movie incorporates nearly every sci-fi concept inside itself. The fact that these ideas were previously used in other movies does not mean that this movie is not good. Actually, those "original" movies are usually based on books which usually borrowed ideas from some classic sci-fi books by Verne, Wells and other master authors (which is absolutely normal imo) so it's really just about how it is portrayed and this movie does the job well.
It rips off half a dozen classic sci fi movies and is very predictable, but hey, people in classic movies joke about how predictable movies are. There's only so many types of stories to tell. It's a popcorn sci fi flick with pretty people in it, nothing revolutionary. I thought it looked really good aesthetically and had some good action scenes. Plus a few hell yeah moments. Go humans! I got what I wanted from it.
Oh man...this started so promisingly - cold visuals, warm sound, and best of all, some badass tech, wrapped in a Moon-like psychodrama narrative of a man deciphering the mystery of his life, though perhaps too slow . Then about half way through it completely loses it as the plot takes the sci-fi pastiche to a ludicrous extreme - it *literally* is Blade Runner, Logan's Run, The Matrix, Terminator 2, and in one particularly egregious moment, 2001 crossed with Independence Day. In its bid for epic profundity it completely fumbles the ball, over extending the good will of its audience as it becomes another, far more subpar work entirely. There are a handful of great moments, but overall, ironically for a film about identity and choice, it suffers from option paralysis brought on by a gluttony of cannibalism. I can't possibly give this any more than a passing grade.
It's the "blockbuster" version of moon, with a dash of a couple of other sci-fi's. I really liked the start, especially the library scene with it's fallout 3 (the game) feel, but then it turned into tons of pod race action sequences that were incredibly boring.
Typical popcorn Sci-Fi which, as mentioned by many, incorporates a lot of themes and ideas previously explored from other Sci-Fi films and books. Unfortunately it doesn't do anything new or groundbreaking with the concepts, which is a shame. But overall I enjoyed it for its visuals and interesting story + setting. If you're looking for a good saturday night blockbuster then consider Oblivion.
6.5/10
It may not be the most original science-fiction film ever made, but Oblivion has Tom Cruise money behind it, so it at least looks good, is well cast, and has exciting action scenes. Earth is dead after an alien invasion, starkly so, and Tom Cruise is part of the minimal clean-up crew that's making sure humanity has the resources it needs to survive on its new home. But as soon as he casually expositions (I'm gonna use that as a verb because there's a lot of it) that he's been memory-wiped so he can do his mission better, the possible sci-fi twists start dancing in front of your eyes. And guess what, several of them turn out to be true. You can't confound THIS old dog with your tired old twists, man! That doesn't take anything away from the spectacle - I really like the menacing drones that make up the bulk of the antagonist force, for example - and ultimately, I feel like this gets a bad wrap BECAUSE it had such a big budget. Tell this story at a fraction of the cost and I bet everyone would be saying "hey, cool indie". Instead, I'll say, "hey, nothing new under the sun, but it looks cool".
Star wars meets red planet meets mission Impossible meets Passengers (not out but in development) meets 2001 meets two others. Slightly confusing and ultimately 4/10
Just as I expeted: A very mediocre sci-fi movie, nothing special.
Some great pictures, the movie definitely has some visual appeal. But the story was not too exciting, lots of it was predictable and though there are some good actors in this, none of them were really given the chance to excel.
Yet another action film in which it's the female lead's sole function is to fawn all over the male hero (who is predictably called Jack) I did enjoy the production design and action sequences.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 39
Ralf
snrklyc
This movie can be used to list the fundamental sci-fi elements used in many books and movies. It reminded me of the series Rama by Arthur C. Clarke, Solaris by Stanislav Lem and many different sci-fi books. I don't mean that the film was bad, it was as close to real sci-fi as possible, I really liked the movie. The pace was just right, the psychology (and perhaps sociology) was given in beautifully shot scenes. There were some problems but they did not affect the movie.I believe pure sci-fi is the best and this movie incorporates nearly every sci-fi concept inside itself. The fact that these ideas were previously used in other movies does not mean that this movie is not good. Actually, those "original" movies are usually based on books which usually borrowed ideas from some classic sci-fi books by Verne, Wells and other master authors (which is absolutely normal imo) so it's really just about how it is portrayed and this movie does the job well.
Flops
It rips off half a dozen classic sci fi movies and is very predictable, but hey, people in classic movies joke about how predictable movies are. There's only so many types of stories to tell. It's a popcorn sci fi flick with pretty people in it, nothing revolutionary. I thought it looked really good aesthetically and had some good action scenes. Plus a few hell yeah moments. Go humans! I got what I wanted from it.Peeorpoo
Holy shit the visuals and the design of the stuff in this movie are just spectacular.Scratch47
Oh man...this started so promisingly - cold visuals, warm sound, and best of all, some badass tech, wrapped in a Moon-like psychodrama narrative of a man deciphering the mystery of his life, though perhaps too slow . Then about half way through it completely loses it as the plot takes the sci-fi pastiche to a ludicrous extreme - it *literally* is Blade Runner, Logan's Run, The Matrix, Terminator 2, and in one particularly egregious moment, 2001 crossed with Independence Day. In its bid for epic profundity it completely fumbles the ball, over extending the good will of its audience as it becomes another, far more subpar work entirely. There are a handful of great moments, but overall, ironically for a film about identity and choice, it suffers from option paralysis brought on by a gluttony of cannibalism. I can't possibly give this any more than a passing grade.sureup
It's the "blockbuster" version of moon, with a dash of a couple of other sci-fi's. I really liked the start, especially the library scene with it's fallout 3 (the game) feel, but then it turned into tons of pod race action sequences that were incredibly boring.It's decent.
Jinkla
Typical popcorn Sci-Fi which, as mentioned by many, incorporates a lot of themes and ideas previously explored from other Sci-Fi films and books. Unfortunately it doesn't do anything new or groundbreaking with the concepts, which is a shame. But overall I enjoyed it for its visuals and interesting story + setting. If you're looking for a good saturday night blockbuster then consider Oblivion.6.5/10
nafees
another potential sci-fi movie to be great. but ruined it half way through. weak script.Juliet
I want that swimmingpool! Apart from that, really liked the movie.lmddawson
Incredible visuals backed by an unbelievably phenomenal soundtrack by M83. Could have done with being a little shorter, but woah!Siskoid
It may not be the most original science-fiction film ever made, but Oblivion has Tom Cruise money behind it, so it at least looks good, is well cast, and has exciting action scenes. Earth is dead after an alien invasion, starkly so, and Tom Cruise is part of the minimal clean-up crew that's making sure humanity has the resources it needs to survive on its new home. But as soon as he casually expositions (I'm gonna use that as a verb because there's a lot of it) that he's been memory-wiped so he can do his mission better, the possible sci-fi twists start dancing in front of your eyes. And guess what, several of them turn out to be true. You can't confound THIS old dog with your tired old twists, man! That doesn't take anything away from the spectacle - I really like the menacing drones that make up the bulk of the antagonist force, for example - and ultimately, I feel like this gets a bad wrap BECAUSE it had such a big budget. Tell this story at a fraction of the cost and I bet everyone would be saying "hey, cool indie". Instead, I'll say, "hey, nothing new under the sun, but it looks cool".boulderman
Star wars meets red planet meets mission Impossible meets Passengers (not out but in development) meets 2001 meets two others. Slightly confusing and ultimately 4/10Blade22
Excellent Visuals and space ships...get a little weak in the middle but ending was good.IreneAdler
Just as I expeted: A very mediocre sci-fi movie, nothing special.Some great pictures, the movie definitely has some visual appeal. But the story was not too exciting, lots of it was predictable and though there are some good actors in this, none of them were really given the chance to excel.
Marasmusine
Yet another action film in which it's the female lead's sole function is to fawn all over the male hero (who is predictably called Jack) I did enjoy the production design and action sequences.Showing items 1 – 15 of 39