Page 18 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • August 21, 2013 ‘Elysium’ depicts future with haves and have nots by Dennis Seuling “Elysium” is the latest in a series of science fiction films that have commanded movie screens this summer. The year is 2154. Earth has degenerated into a morass of pollution, overpopulation, and crumbling infrastruc- ture. The rich have abandoned the planet to continue their lavish lifestyle in a space station called Elysium, a virtual paradise where even the worst diseases can by cured by a brief lie-down in a glass enclosure. Elysium’s icy secretary of defense, Jessica Dela- court (Jodie Foster), has the job of preventing illegal immigrants from entering the space station, and has no remorse about shooting unauthorized space shuttles out of the sky. Back on Earth, factory worker Max Da Costa (Matt Damon) suffers a massive dose of radiation in an indus- trial accident. He will die within five days. His only hope is to reach Elysium, but when his request for medical treatment is denied, he resolves to reach the space sta- tion by any means possible. One of the primary obstacles is Kruger (Sharito Copley), a cold-blooded mercenary deputized by Delacourt to patrol Los Angeles to make sure no unworthy Earthlings attempt to reach Elysium. Director Neil Blomkamp (“District 9”) has bor- rowed a major plot line from Fritz Lang’s “Metropolis.” Lang presented worlds of affluence and drudgery, with hundreds of toiling workers operating underground machines that power the ultra-modern city above as the Matt Damon stars in ‘Elysium.’ wealthy bask in luxury. “Elysium” touches on many issues, chiefly class, availability of health care, the effect of business on politics, and social responsibility. These themes are all nicely interwoven into a fast-paced action film, and since the messages are not pounded, the film does pro- voke thought without becoming preachy. Damon’s Max is the Everyman who bucks the system and rebels against its unfair conventions. There is not much to the character, even though director Blomkamp incorporates several scenes of young orphan Max and his friend Frey (played as an adult by Alice Braga). The two reconnect during the film, but clearly play second fiddle to the mayhem. Damon never fully convinces as Max’s clock runs out, and seems able to fend off numer- ous bodily injuries as only a Hollywood hero can. Foster plays Delacourt as a well-tailored viper. She is emotionless, calculating, and power-hungry. The role borders on stereotype, since Foster plays her broadly, without interesting facets. Viewers have no idea why Delacourt is so intent on protecting Elysium from out- siders other than to preserve a privileged way of life. In short, she does not want the “wrong” kind of people moving into the neighborhood. Rated R, “Elysium” just dusts off and reshuffles tired sci-fi ideas. It is a pity that a movie that comments on many injustices does so in such a pedestrian manner. It pales in comparison to “District 9.” As a summer diver- tissement, “Elysium” is OK, but it is the type of movie one can easily wait to catch on DVD in a few months.