OBLIVION (2013)

I’m a big sci fi nut. I practically drool at the prospect of a sci fi movie. Hell, I even watch “Men in Black 3”!

Disregarding all the hype surrounding Tom Cruise’s private life, I like his movies. It’s not so much that he’s actually acting because when you see a Tom Cruise movie, you expect certain things. New high tech gadgets, cool clothes, fast vehicles and often very pretty girls. He’s a brand of movie.

Let me preface that I went with four girls, my nieces ages 7, 10, 13 and 15 years old. It was a long 2 hour movie, but it was in one of the newer theaters where all the seats are like barco loungers. I figured, if the younger ones get bored, they’ll nap. 

About half way into the movie, the 7 year old was sliding under her chair, running to me, then back to her seat. The 10 year old was curled up in a fetal position, sleeping on her side. The older girls were at least awake, but then there was popcorn, nachos and pizza. The 15 year old, in her nihilistic phase, was interested in a post-apocalyptic movie and insisted the 13 year old come too.

The first 90 minutes, oddly enough, were boring. It’s about two people who are the last two caretakers of a desolated Earth. Their house was very cool and beautiful. I like the idea of having a house that floats above the clouds, has its own helipad and a very cool glass swimming pool that hangs in the sky. But it was also very antiseptic. The walls were glass, trimmed in chrome and gleaming steel. But no knick-knacks, no soft cushions and drapes.

It brooded; there were moments of no dialogue and only long panoramic views. Close ups of the actors exchanging knowing looks, although Tom Cruise isn't exactly known for acting subtlety.

The theater was about 80% full, really good for a show at 10:30am on a Saturday. But when the movie ended, the audience seemed confused, uncertain if they liked it or not. My oldest niece was confused and I had to explain it to her.

It had no soul.

And that’s how I felt about the movie, it had no soul. It tried, it really did, but it was too little too late. I’m glad I saw the movie on the big screen. I don’t watch movies for the artistry nor for the ability to converse on an intellectual level about the production values, plot lines and twists. It’s a story that is meant to transport me to another world that I would never otherwise ever get the chance to visit. Based on that goal, Oblivion achieved it.

Sadly, the best action shots are all on the trailer. Some parts of the trailer didn’t even make it into the movie.