The Home of Steven Barnes
Author, Teacher, Screenwriter


Saturday, April 20, 2013

Oblivion (2013)

Just saw "Oblivion."    Pretty, and sort of sincere, even spectacular and moody at times, but I just can't think of a way it all fits together and makes sense.   Maybe someone could explain all of what seem like plot holes, but when I sit there asking: "well, why...?" through most of a film, it's not a good sign.  The basic set-up: Tom Cruise is sort of repairman for the whole planet, caring for these gigantic ocean harvesters that are the key to humanity's future, humanity having moved to, um...Titan.  Don't ask.  One guy?  And he never seems to leave the New York area.  At least, I assume that's New York, because we return to the Empire State building.  Earthquakes or something have changed topography so much you'd think you were in Colorado.   Well, there are plot twists, and naked swimming, and Morgan Freeman does his sacrificial negro routine.  But overall, the whole is less than the sum of its parts.  But the parts are pretty.  Give it a C.

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