OBLIVION, the Movie

I don’t typically write movie reviews because I think there are plenty of them out there. The reason I chose to discus Oblivion is because I don’t think it got enough attention. It appeared to be short-lived in theaters across the country, and few people talk about it or suggest the video as a good bet for the evening.
I thought Oblivionwas one of the best sci-fi love stories I’ve ever seen, and I highly recommend it. Not only was the plot interesting, mysterious, and original, the acting was superb. The tension between characters from the very beginning set the scene for what was to come. The dream sequences were a perfect overshadowing of the developing plot. And, there were several twists in the movie that I didn’t see coming.
I won’t give the plot away except for what I’ve already said. What I will mention is that the special effects were minimal, but convincing, and the plot ticked away at a nice pace. Since much of the movie was centered on only two characters at a time, there was a feeling of desolation that matched the desolation of the planet. I like those touches.
Much of the time, Tom Cruise’s character, Jack Harper, is alone on screen. At one point he’s at Earl’s Peak in Iceland and the expanse is unbelievable. You can feel it, he can feel it, and that’s what makes for a good movie. There is something about scenes that are “real” and not done on a sound stage that adds depth and value to a movie. This is what I felt while watching Oblivion, a sense that I was alone, that the world had been destroyed, and nothing but nature remained. I loved the cinematography in this movie.
Like a novel, Oblivionhad great, believable characters, an interesting plot with unexpected twists, and a love story that is deep and meaningful. But, what’s just as important to me while watching a science fiction movie is that the science fiction elements felt real, and in Oblivion they felt true to the genre. I won’t tell you the ending, but it was perfect for a science fiction movie. It made you think about what happened, about the results of everyone’s actions. And it stuck with me. Watch the trailers here: http://www.oblivionmovie2013.com/trailer

* * Terry Persun holds a Bachelor’s of Science as well as an MA in Creative Writing. He has worked as an engineer, has been the Editor-in-Chief of several technology journals, and is now marketing consultant for technical and manufacturing companies. More than fourteen of his novels have been published. His science fiction novel “Cathedral of Dreams” won a ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Finalist Award, and his historical novel, “Sweet Song” won a Silver IPPY Award. His latest science fiction space opera is “Hear No Evil”.