Oblivion is the second feature from director, Joseph Kosinski, after Tron: Legacy. With Tron, Kosinski gave an 80's favourite an update which celebrated the world of gaming, particularly in the advances it had made - what was once Atari 2600 was now Playstation 3!
Tron: Legacy was a tremendous achievement in design. One can only hope what was lacking in story will be beefed up for the next instalment (lets have a truly remarkable light-cycle race next time)!
With Oblivion, Kosinski has once again played to his strengths. The sound and score is befitting that of an epic sci-fi tale, with M83 replacing Daft Punk this time (both of whom collaborated with composer, Joseph Trapanese).
The design of everything is second to none, particularly the hero's ship and the onboard toys at his disposal. What's particularly imaginative is the functionality of everything. Despite the futuristic setting, it all feels plausible.
Oblivion was set up at Radical Studios, a multimedia company based in California. Radical are a publisher of comic-books and Oblivion was originally set to be a short comic-book series (and/or graphic novel). The series was written by Kosinski as a means to garner interest in his project to further develop as a film. There is still no sign of the once mooted comic-book series/graphic novel, making Oblivion no more a comic-book adaptation than any other story-boarded pitch. Oblivion marks Radical Studios first foray in to the movie industry, with other projects imminent (next up Hercules, starring The Rock).
The aforementioned hero of Oblivion is Jack (Tom Cruise). Jack lives with his partner, Victoria (Andrea Riseborough) in a very slick apartment - upon a scaffolding, high above Earth's crust. We learn (by way of Jacks narration) that an alien race (known only as Skavs) obliterated our moon, causing all manner of catastrophe to occur on Earth. After nuclear war with the alien invaders, the remaining human population fled to the only other habitable rock, Titan - one of Saturn's many moons.
Along with their mother-ship (in Earth's orbit), Jack and Victoria monitor the mountainous machines put in place to source and store what little resources Earth still has to offer.
Jack's particular job is to monitor and repair the drones put in place to protect the vacuum-like machines from attack. With Skavs inhabiting the apocalyptic terrain, the drones are equipped with firepower to defend themselves - as is our hero.
All is well, save for Jack's reoccurring dreams and the unwavering notion that Earth is not lost. Jack's dreams feature himself and a woman (someone other than his partner, Victoria). Together they visit the Empire State building of a populated New York - long before the decimation of Earth.
During his daily routine, Jack witnesses a ship of some sort crash-land. To his utter surprise the woman from his dreams is aboard - alive and safe in hypersleep.
The film continues in this mysterious vein, as Jack slowly pieces together a truth to which he was previously oblivious to.
Oblivion is the culmination of an imaginative and design-conscious team. It didn't occur to me at first, but it does borrow from other sci-fi tales. Despite treading closely to other similarly themed features, Oblivion succeeds in it's execution. It's an exciting adventure that captivates from beginning to end.
3/5
Poster image courtesy: www.empireonline.com
Tron: Legacy was a tremendous achievement in design. One can only hope what was lacking in story will be beefed up for the next instalment (lets have a truly remarkable light-cycle race next time)!
With Oblivion, Kosinski has once again played to his strengths. The sound and score is befitting that of an epic sci-fi tale, with M83 replacing Daft Punk this time (both of whom collaborated with composer, Joseph Trapanese).
The design of everything is second to none, particularly the hero's ship and the onboard toys at his disposal. What's particularly imaginative is the functionality of everything. Despite the futuristic setting, it all feels plausible.
Oblivion was set up at Radical Studios, a multimedia company based in California. Radical are a publisher of comic-books and Oblivion was originally set to be a short comic-book series (and/or graphic novel). The series was written by Kosinski as a means to garner interest in his project to further develop as a film. There is still no sign of the once mooted comic-book series/graphic novel, making Oblivion no more a comic-book adaptation than any other story-boarded pitch. Oblivion marks Radical Studios first foray in to the movie industry, with other projects imminent (next up Hercules, starring The Rock).
The aforementioned hero of Oblivion is Jack (Tom Cruise). Jack lives with his partner, Victoria (Andrea Riseborough) in a very slick apartment - upon a scaffolding, high above Earth's crust. We learn (by way of Jacks narration) that an alien race (known only as Skavs) obliterated our moon, causing all manner of catastrophe to occur on Earth. After nuclear war with the alien invaders, the remaining human population fled to the only other habitable rock, Titan - one of Saturn's many moons.
Along with their mother-ship (in Earth's orbit), Jack and Victoria monitor the mountainous machines put in place to source and store what little resources Earth still has to offer.
Jack's particular job is to monitor and repair the drones put in place to protect the vacuum-like machines from attack. With Skavs inhabiting the apocalyptic terrain, the drones are equipped with firepower to defend themselves - as is our hero.
All is well, save for Jack's reoccurring dreams and the unwavering notion that Earth is not lost. Jack's dreams feature himself and a woman (someone other than his partner, Victoria). Together they visit the Empire State building of a populated New York - long before the decimation of Earth.
During his daily routine, Jack witnesses a ship of some sort crash-land. To his utter surprise the woman from his dreams is aboard - alive and safe in hypersleep.
The film continues in this mysterious vein, as Jack slowly pieces together a truth to which he was previously oblivious to.
Oblivion is the culmination of an imaginative and design-conscious team. It didn't occur to me at first, but it does borrow from other sci-fi tales. Despite treading closely to other similarly themed features, Oblivion succeeds in it's execution. It's an exciting adventure that captivates from beginning to end.
3/5
Poster image courtesy: www.empireonline.com
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