It’s that time again, when we pass the mic over to you guys, not to “sen a derricayshun”, but to let us know what you thought about the weekend past’s biggest release. In this case being Neill Blomkamp’s Elysium, his much anticipated follow-up the absolutely brilliant District 9.
[As always, this will be an unfiltered discussion, so if you haven’t seen the film yet, BEWARE OF SPOILERS!}I found the film to be technically good, visually amazing, with some great action beats and featuring a killer performance from Sharlto Copley, but it was devoid of character depth, sloppy and immature with its script and far too heavy handed with its politics. Lourens agreed with me. But what did you guys think?
Last Updated: September 2, 2013
Admiral Chief Raider of Tombs
September 2, 2013 at 13:57
Still need to watch it
Matthew Holliday
September 2, 2013 at 13:59
South Africa: The only country in the world where this was considered a comedy.
That South African/ Afrikaans accent had the cinema in hysterics.
“Ja boet!”
movie was good, but I was expecting to be amazed.
I was left udnerwhelmed considering my expectations of it.
District 9 was better.
Lardus-Respect the beard
September 2, 2013 at 14:03
Jan Pierewiet Jan Pierewiet 😛
Matthew Holliday
September 2, 2013 at 14:04
When he dropped the “P” bomb, I lost my shit
RinceThisNintypoo
September 2, 2013 at 14:05
Me too! Couldn’t stop laughing!
Lardus-Respect the beard
September 2, 2013 at 14:49
He dropped many F-bombs, but I really wanted him to drop the Afrikaans F-bomb. Or he did, and I missed it. In that case, “Ag F*k boet!”
Lardus-Respect the beard
September 2, 2013 at 14:04
Did not like the close shaking camera during some scenes. I have never understood how people find that “immersive” when you can’t see what the hell is going on! Other than that a decent enough movie. Jan Pierewiet, Oryx etc were nice “South Africanisms” that, as Matthew stated, had the cinema laughing!
RinceThisNintypoo
September 2, 2013 at 14:05
My god that irritated me. When will directors get over the shakycam! The last fight scene was a total blur!
Lourens Corleone
September 2, 2013 at 14:18
Agreed. The shakycam is crap.
Matthew Holliday
September 2, 2013 at 14:15
The shakey camera, especially during intricicate fight scenes, has been a blight on the movie scene for far too long.
Hopefully Keanu Reaves “new/revolutionary” approach to camera work with Man of Taichi(which will basically be exactly like the Matrix and Ip Man movies) will convince directors to take a more cinematic approach to the cinematography
Justin Hess
September 2, 2013 at 17:24
Totally agreed with you dude. Shaky cam sells the energy of the action but it hinders seeing what’s actually happening.
It’s a visual medium. I get more involved when I see what’s actually happening.
That simple
Kervyn Cloete
September 2, 2013 at 18:29
I am really intrigued to see Captain America: The Winter Soldier precisely because of this. Apparently the Russo bros are pulling off some revolutionary new filming technique where they pull in close, so that it completely sells the energy and impact of the fight scenes, but the camera somehow flows with the action so that everything stays crystal clear.
Justin Hess
September 2, 2013 at 19:09
I’ll be curious to see that in action. I have no idea how that would work in practice the way you’ve described.
Close is to sell the impact of the violence, but wides show you the context and how all the elements are involved.
Again, that simple.
Just dear god no shaky cam. In the hands of wannabes, it just feels hollow and annoying
RinceThisNintypoo
September 2, 2013 at 14:04
really enjoyed it . Great performance from Sharlto Copley, in fact, he blew everyone else out the water. Brilliant effects, but the story of the dying girl was too much for me. D9 was very adult, and although this was a swear romp, it lacked that depth. Still loads of fun though.
Apollo
September 2, 2013 at 17:47
For me it was an average movie. I enjoyed district 9 more. Elysium just took too long to start and ended in a hurry.