Home Entertainment Movies out today: Sci-fi, fantasy and false identities

Movies out today: Sci-fi, fantasy and false identities

1 min read
2

Three new films open in South Africa today, offering a mix of escapism and special effects.

Elysium:
This sci-fi actioner is South African writer-director Neill Blomkamp’s highly anticipated follow-up to his surprise smash hit District 9. In the future, everyone who’s anyone lives on a luxury space station, where Jodie Foster rules the roost. Everyone else – 99% of humanity – is stuck on a devastated, resource-stricken Earth. Matt Damon’s ex-con has a chance to change the unfair status quo with the aid of an exo-skeleton.

Sadly, Blomkamp’s sophomore effort evidently doesn’t reach the same heights as District 9. You can read Kervyn and Lourens‘s full reviews, but in short, while the action scenes, visual effects and Sharlto Copley stand out, the film is otherwise unnuanced in terms of plot, character and socio-political commentary. Internationally, Elysium has racked up an aggregrated Rotten Tomatoes review score of 69% Fresh. Critics have called it a visual, visceral treat lacking in a credible human element.

Elysium3

Percy Jackson: Seas of Monsters:
Screening in 2D and CONVERTED 3D is this second film in the oh-so-Harry-Potter-ish fantasy adventure series, based on the books by Rick Riordan. This time teenage demigod Percy (Logan Lerman) – the son of Poseidon – and his besties must find the Golden Fleece to protect the school these mythological offspring attend. Adults in the cast include Stanley Tucci and Nathan Fillion.

According to critics, you can do far worse than Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. It’s fun, kids should love it and adults can appreciate the crisp special effects and pacing. Pity it suffers from Seen It All Before Syndrome.

percy

Arthur Newman:
Screening in limited release is this road-trip comedy drama about a former pro golfer (Colin Firth) who stages his own death to escape his disastrous life. He assumes a new identity, after which his path crosses that of similarly troubled thief Emily Blunt.

Offbeat Arthur Newman is apparently well acted but never really goes anywhere, or does anything particularly memorable. Just another indie effort about dysfunctional people learning important life lessons.

arthur

Last Updated: August 30, 2013

2 Comments

  1. Ultimo_Cleric N7

    August 30, 2013 at 10:11

    When I see Percy Jackson’s black friend, all I can see is him in Tropic Thunder.
    BOOTY SWEAT!

    Reply

  2. Alien Emperor Trevor

    August 30, 2013 at 10:26

    Respectively – yes, no, snore.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

It’s all about trust in HBO Max’s star-studded crime thriller No Sudden Move

In 1955 Detroit, a group of small-time criminals are hired to steal emerging car technolog…