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District 9, writer-director Neill Blomkamp's debut film, was a true out-of-nowhere success story, blending potent metaphor and geeky tech kinetics into a rather irresistible package. (Few movies can boast both a Best Picture nomination and a scene where a pig is used as a bullet.) Elysium, Blomkamp's bigger-budgeted follow-up, certainly ramps up the spectacle, but the allegorical elements feel a bit less novel this time around. While the filmmaker's evolving talent for low-fi mayhem keeps things from falling into a sophomore slump, the thematic similarities to his earlier work suggest that it may be time for an expansion of horizons. Set in the year 2154, the plot finds humanity split into literal tiers, with the less fortunate stuck on Earth while the rich lounge around on a hovering space station. When an ex-con (Matt Damon) suffers a terminal injury, he hatches a desperate scheme to get to the high-tech medical equipment Up There. (Step 1 of his plan? Get bolted into an awesome robo-exoskeleton.) As in his previous film, Blomkamp brings a commendably lived-in feel to the future surroundings, bolstered by the presence of folks such as Jodie Foster (as a haughty government official) , William Fichtner, Alice Braga, and Damon, whose rueful humanity manages to survive the increasing cyborgization of his character. Even with those considerable leavening agents, though, it's hard to overlook the basic staleness of the premise, with the central have vs. have-not premise dating back to the days of Metropolis. On the action front, thankfully, the film finds itself on much firmer ground, with the filmmaker consistently finding inventive ways of staging the rock 'em sock 'em skirmishes between Damon and the bad guys. (As the leader of the goon squad, District 9 star Sharlto Copley goes enjoyably over the top.) While Elysium's ultimate destination won't surprise many sci-fi fans, the skills of its director and cast ensure that the film still registers as an above-average blockbuster. The story may be creaky, but, jeez, just check out all the neat gears and things. --Andrew Wright

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