Oblivion

As previously stated in my "Jack Reacher" review, I am a big Tom Cruise fan.  So, I was really excited to see Cruise headline a big sci-fi movie from the director of "Tron: Legacy" (a flawed movie that I still really enjoy).  I was not let down.  "Oblivion" turned out to be an incredibly enjoyable movie. 

"Oblivion" is an amalgamation of nearly every classic science fiction movie.  No kidding.  "Planet of the Apes" and "2001: A Space Odyssey" are the biggest influences.  For hardcore film fans, this could be distracting or even infuriatingly derivative.  I, however, really got a kick out of picking out all the bits of other movies.  And I can appreciate a filmmaker loving those movies enough to make an "ultimate" science fiction movie that combines them all.  It's not the best sci-fi flick you'll ever see, but it deserves to be including in the list of really good ones.

So the plot is pretty basic, but I hesitate to give away too much as there are plenty of opportunities for spoilers.  Again, for film nerds (or folks well versed in sci-fi movies) the plot is pieced together from other films.  This can result in knowing what's going to happen long before it does.  I won't ruin anything.  Here's the gist of "Oblivion:" Earth was attacked by aliens.  In order to defeat the invaders (called Scavengers or Scavs), the humans nuked Earth to... OBLIVION!  Jack Reacher... I mean Jack Harper (Cruise) is stationed on the Earth's surface to maintain and repair robots that protect giant energy stations that power the off-world human colony.  But when an old spaceship crashes containing human passengers, Harper begins to suspect that something may not be right on Earth.

The performances of the lead actors are good nothing spectacular, although Andrea Riseborough is probably the standout among them.  The real magic, what really makes "Oblivion" work is the direction of Joseph Kosinski.  He uses the same formula that he employed for "Tron: Legacy."  Take an OK script and flesh it out with clear, classically influenced camerawork and music by a French electronica band.  "Oblivion" trades out Daft Punk for M86 and the result is another powerhouse soundtrack that (like "Tron: Legacy") may outlive the film.  But music, regardless of the quality, does not make a movie good.  Making a film that has dazzling visuals and a clear sense of action makes a movie good.

Speaking of which, is it too early to declare my choice for Best Visual Effects?  "Oblivion" combines stunning computer work with gorgeous sets and landscapes.  Too many movies take the lazy way out, opting for green screen and CGI over real locations and props.  Kosinski understands that CGI is there to supplement your visuals not dominate the visuals.  Real locations/sets/props provide a sense of tangibility to a film. 

Also, I complain about shaky camerawork in action films all the time.  There's nothing wrong with handheld camerawork, but that loose form of photography should never obscure the images.  Also, the chaotic style of modern action extends to the editing.  Shots are reduced to fractions of a second.  And the shots that are long enough to make out are a hodge podge of random angles.  Where are the characters?  Where are they going?  These questions are important, yet they seem to go unanswered in far too many movies.  Kosinski knows how to film action.  His camera actually follows the characters.  You'll always know exactly what is happening at any given time.  Clear, interesting, motivated action?  "Oblivion" is light years ahead of 90% of the action movies being made today.

"Oblivion" is just a solid movie.  Sure, it has issues.  It's more plot focused than character focused and as such, the actors are left without much to do.  The ending, while appropriate, is a bit unsatisfying.  But at the end of day, I can't recommend it enough though.  It's a movie I look forward to revisiting.

7.5 out of 10