By Taylor Jensen/entertainment editor
When lines at the DMV move faster than the essence of a movie, the struggle to keep your eyes open can distract you from true potential.
Oblivion follows Jack (Tom Cruise), one of two people left on the planet after alien invaders blow up the moon and humans blow up the Earth in an attempt to blow up the aliens. (This may seem stupid, but when actually contemplated, it is disturbingly plausible.)
Jack and his clingy, lovesick team partner Victoria (Andrea Riseborough) are delegated the mission of repairing scary mechanical drones that fly around what remains of Earth, destroying alien scavengers called Scavs for short.
With only two weeks of work left before they can rejoin the rest of the human race on one of Saturn’s moons, Titan, Jack can’t help but feel nostalgic about his home planet. As a result, his past memories surge to the surface, and he begins to question his mission.
First and foremost, this movie is good. It is visually stunning with artistic shots and impressive special effects. The acting is spot on, especially from Cruise and, most importantly, the story is unique with an interesting plot twist most won’t see coming.
Having said that, this is not an action film. The viewer knows something interesting will happen and can almost taste sky-falling, futuristic gun shooting, alien butt-kicking action. You literally can’t wait.
Unfortunately, you’re going to have to … for 45 minutes, or what feels like a decade depending on your personal patience level.
Action is sacrificed for a theme of love, both unrequited and everlasting, which results in a forced love triangle both confusing and ultimately meaningless in the grand scope of the possible end of humanity.
Morgan Freeman shows up briefly to explain the plot and smoke a cigar, which he doesn’t even get to finish because that would probably take too long. This is confusing considering Freeman’s acting ability and the fact that he narrates a good portion of the misleading trailer.
But ultimately, Oblivion’s biggest problem is its slower-than-molasses driving force. Viewers won’t appreciate the first lulling hour, it being the equivalent of a healthy shot of Nyquil, and then being shaken awake for the last 30 minutes of the film.
Oblivion has every ingredient needed to be an entertaining, engrossing sci-fi flick. It’s hard to say what went wrong in the cooking process. Maybe another dash of Freeman and a teaspoon of gruesome alien would have made all the difference. One thing is for sure — Oblivion was left on simmer for too long.
Final Take: A well-made sci-fi movie that entertains … eventually.
Those who would enjoy it: Tom Cruise fans. You are still out there, aren’t you?
