We are the choices we make.

I know that I haven't talked about books for a while and I haven't sat down and had the time to really review anything. The books I've chosen also aren't new, they are rather old but that doesn't make them any less brilliant. I am indeed talking about the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness.

I have read a multitude of different YA dystopian novels but these are the first ones that truly resonated with me. Felt like so much more than your average teenage book. 

Todd Hewitt lives on a farm with his fathers, Cillian and Ben, with noise in his head. Noise in all the heads of all the men in town. A town with only men and their noise. His life, to him, however is completely ordinary until he meets a girl and she has no noise and is being hunted. 

It's been a while since I read the Knife of Never Letting Go so my explanation is poor but honestly, it took me so long to get to the end because I never wanted to finish. Evangeline Lilly was somewhat vilified by LOTR fans for admitting that she never read the end of the Return of the King because she never wanted to the stories to close. I can relate where these were concerned.

Patrick Ness has this power of creating empathy within the reader; you may not know what they are going through directly but by the end, you feel like you have been on the journey with them all the way. By giving animals a voice, he makes them 'human' in a way where we can love them as three dimensional characters that when they come to harm, we fear, mourn, cry and care for them as we would the human protagonists.

But he also gives the antagonists a soul. He gives them something so unerringly human that we cannot help but feel bad for them. They might make poor choices and we might hate them for the dangers they create but when it comes to the end, we long for them as part of the story as much as the others. I hated the main villain right until the final curtain but when you were told why and you felt why he made the calls he made and why he chose the path, you felt sorry for him. 

Within this magical world, Ness creates believable emotional connections that are not forced. They do not take over the story or become the be-all-and-all. You know from moment one that Todd and Viola will be romantically involved but it is organic, it is real and it is slow. It does not take over the story, it does not overwhelm the power of the war tale being told but it is there, forever in the background that without it, the story would be less somehow. Despite the fact that it isn't front and centre.
The relationships are part of what make the book so powerful. The love between father and son, between boy and his pets, between boy and girl, between boy and megalomaniac. It is, at its core, a story of the complications of love and caring set on top of a mad war story between fantastical creatures and crazy bastards. It is about making things personal when you need to be disconnected; something you could say about the reader. We become so much a part of the world that when it crumbles, you grieve. 

Ness is not afraid of his young adult title either. He wears it like a badge of pride, toeing the line between too much and not enough. Don't get attached to characters because they may not make it to the end. He makes those important decisions other authors are afraid of to show us the human choices that must be made. He creates an extraordinary, fantasy world only to fill it with the ordinary and mundane. That is not a problem. It does not talk down to its readers, it makes them better by showing us what must be done, fantasy or not. War can destroy, it can drive you mad, it can pull apart forever love and it can kill even on a perfect new world.

Dearest Edinburgh,

Dearest Edinburgh,

This isn't what I normally write but I was watching Carrie's Letters to Autumn videos on YouTube and I felt myself get sad. Their melancholy tone, their reflective style, their love, sadness, joy and pleasure of Autumn - they reminded me of how I feel about you.

I arrived at the tender age of 18 and I was lost, oh so lost. I was terrified and alone, panicked and anxious and I hated you. For a year, I wanted to be ANYWHERE but with you. I came back aged 19 and hated you less, you'd began to wheedle your way into my soul, you black-hearted bastard. By my 21st birthday, I missed you like an ache.

You kept me warm, you kept me safe and you kept me going. I had my hardest year in you, fair city and you never let me fall. You reminded me of the beauty of the world and you made me smile even in the darkest tunnels. I saw the blues and greens and greys of the Scottish countryside and fell so head over heels, I can't for the life of me work out why I so desperately wanted to run. I found cubbyholes in which to hide, to feel safe, to work hard, to relax and to love.
Very few know that I ran to Arthur's Seat on my darkest day, sat with my iPod on a rock and sobbed. You never told. Thank you.

I see you now as my home, a home I didn't believe existed in this fair and less than pleasant land.

But then I picked up and I packed up and I walked away. I sit here in the less salubrious location of my second life and I miss you. I ache with a need to be back, walking from my flat to the centre crunching through leaves or sloshing through puddles - either would be preferable to this. I cannot work out for the life of me how we got here but we did. At 18, you were everything I didn't want to be, everywhere I didn't want to go. At 22, you're a siren song calling to me and I'm trapped far away.

One day, I won't feel like this. I've already forgotten how cold you could be, how my toes were never warm, my lips always chapped. How dark it could be and how depressing that felt - how oppressive, how punishing. I'm looking at you with rose-tinted glasses and I know that.
I'm aware of the fact that I can't go backwards - stop and die. That's what life is. Forever rotating, forever rushing towards the end and backwards just ain't an option. But right now, in bleak Manchester, thinking of your beauty and your majestic quality; not the bad, but only the good - I'd give my left arm for one more afternoon, wrapped up in scarves, drinking hot chocolate in New College with my flatmates.

You were good to me, my tartan-decorated, whiskey-suppin' city.

Feeling Stranded In A Sea of Faces

I'll start with my apology; I started the blog at the wrong time to really take it seriously and therefore, it got forgotten and neglected. It collected dust in this part of the internet. I'm sorry. I won't promise it's going to get better. My life is just beginning and this maybe isn't it; this blog is the ideal fantasy of a teenager who wants to be everything she's not. I maybe need to grow up into the person on the path I've set myself. I will try and return with witty insights when I catch my breath but I cannot and will not promise you anything.

This entry isn't going to be a review. It is going to be word vomit. It won't be edited or proof read. It's something I need to say because I have nowhere to say it but I need to. I need to get my jumbled thoughts into coherent sentences. I need to find myself and as always, I do that best with words on a page, pixels on a screen. Bear with, it might make sense eventually. You might relate to it. Who knows?

I just finished my degree. I officially can call myself an evolutionary biologist. It's my specialism. It is the thing I am. I have a thing. God, I never thought I'd say that. I never thought I'd reach this point. (not because I'd be dead or anything but because I didn't believe I'd make it to the end of university. It was so damn far away.) But I am. I'm here. 22 with a honours degree and my future stretching ahead like a black abyss. 

Well, not quite. I have a future if I want it. I've been accepted onto a teacher training course in Manchester and I spent the first 8 weeks of my summer learning how best to teach physics - my least favourite science. I stepped so far beyond my comfort zone and had an amazing time. I made friends, I had a laugh, I learnt so much and I taught a one hour lesson with two fellow coursemates and I didn't cry or panic - I stood up and carried on. I became a grown up for one hour.

But now, I'm faced with moving out - properly. I'm faced with tough choices and a real life and I'm. so. fucking. terrified you wouldn't believe. Everytime I look for accommodation online (which I put off doing daily), my heart races, my palms sweat and I just can't do it anymore. I can't be a grown up because I want nothing more than to go backwards and think, where the fuck did the time go? How the hell did I end up feeling so lost and alone and panicked? 

Everything is swallowing me up. News stories on the television make me feel so anxious and panicked that I just have to remind myself that my idyll in West Yorkshire is going to be fine. Ukrainian missiles won't rain down on me, Ebola isn't going to hit Granny Village HQ and while it sucks to be in Gaza right now for everyone, I'm not and that's okay. I'm not going to Eastern Europe, I'm not going to West Africa, I'm not going to the Middle East and that means I'm safe.

But, I'm learning as the summer progresses. I'm growing and evolving (I suppose it's a pun intended) and becoming a bigger person - literally. I'm finding out who I am and who I want to be and if that person panics and loses it sometimes because the world is quite scary and ageing is too then that's okay. I'm also so scared that will take over my life that I'm not letting it. Everytime the thoughts enter my head, I tell myself that it's okay - if today is all I'm meant to have, I have to live it.

And living it I am. I ran my first charity race this year and I didn't die at the end due to being so unbelievably unfit I don't know how I get up in the morning. 44 minutes 17 - running, walking and jogging a 5K for Cancer Research UK. I went to Copenhagen this last weekend and reconnected with a high school friend who became more awesome than she'd ever been before - we got to know each other again in an amazing city and it was proper, grown up travelling - the kind I've always wanted to do. My wanderlust, a part of me I was scared of because whilst my curiosity and the itch in my pants to move around grows, the world gets scary and takes me with it, was sated for a bit but wasn't panicked. Not wholly. I survived and this time next week, I'll be finishing up four days in my favourite place of them all with my favourite person of them all before going to the USA for my first ever long haul trip. 

I'm terrified. of so much. The big things and the little things. TSA, 8 hours in an enclosed space, different rules, tipping in restaurants, 8 hours in a plane, the things you read about in the news. But I'm determined that fear won't rule my life. I can't let it. When I get back, I will find this apartment in Manchester - one I both need but also want. I will live a life more like the summer I've just had. Freer and open. I will be alright with getting older and the idea of being an adult. 

I read an amazing book last week called Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom (so, my blog theme did tie in somehow..). If you haven't, I recommend it wholeheartedly. It should change your world if you let it. So much of it was life changing but this quote made all the difference:

"Every day, have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, 'Is today the day? Am I ready? Am I doing all I need to do? Am I being the person I want to be? Is today the day I die?" 

- Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

That is what we need to do. It is what I need to do. Live my life like a Buddhist. Be prepared for the inevitable but refuse to let it take over my life. Live my life how I want but be okay with the truth.

I'm probably never going to pass this course of life, but I'm prepared to learn.

I said I'd ramble and ramble I did. Don't hang on for more from me, there might be some, but there might not be.
If you took anything from that, I'm proud. If not, don't worry - it was verbal diarrhoea at best. Thoughts I've been scared to speak but unafraid to type.

Peace and liefs,
A Lost 22-Year Old.

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#5; Thor: The Dark World.

Film: Thor: the Dark World (2013) [Dir. Alan Taylor, starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Christopher Ecclestone)
No, I don't just go and see films with Chris Hemsworth in, I promise. It's just he's been in some darn good'uns recently.
Now, you probably don't know me particularly well (and if you do, hello guys!) but something that's extremely obvious about me when you meet me is that I have a wee obsession with Marvel superhero films. Actually, it's not that wee. When I was ~9, the first XMen movie came out and I was lost. Lost to a world of mutants and superpowers and good vs evil and it was everything I loved. Of course, XMen had a bumpy movie career with the FANTASTIC X2 and the forgettable X3: The Last Stand (and the less said about Origins the better, in my opinion). Then, more Marvel heroes arose from the comic universe.
We had Spiderman the whole time, swinging through New York and don't get me wrong, I loved him too but Spiderman 3 was an equally TERRIBLE movie so I fell out with him pretty quickly. Also, The Hulk films but given I fell asleep during both of them, I don't feel qualified to comment!.
But then Iron Man and Thor and Captain America (and the relaunch of my boys in Yellow, XMFC - the best movie of 2011 in my opinion) appeared on my radar and it was beautiful. Iron Man was cocky but he was fun. Thor was shouty and he was much less fun. Captain America was the weakest of the trio and despite being a wonderful character, the film was dire.
AND THEN THE AVENGERS ARRIVED. and I rewatched Thor and I basically realised that contrary to popular belief, he was the best Avenger (and I won't hear comments disputing that). So to say I was excited for Thor: The Dark World is an underestimate for the shit my flatmates had to put up with.
Oh this movie.
OH. THIS. MOVIE.
Firstly, as you can see from the poster, this film satisfied one thing for me. More romance between Thor and his lady love, Jane. Yes, they spent two days together in the first film and it's RIDICULOUS that she'd care so much but I'm not fussed. Again, I won't hear you be rude about them.
Secondly, it was just perfect. It was funny and gritty and clever and sad and happy and romantic and yes.
It begins with us meeting our villains for the next two hours; the Dark Elves. Yes, I expected more from them too given how EVIL they are. The 9th Doctor is there, unrecognisable speaking gibberish. We're a long way from Earth now, Toto. The Asgardians arrive, shit goes down and they are all slaughtered except from Malekith and his best mate who vow to be awesome later on.
We move back to the Hall of Science where Loki is returning to Asgard post his temper tantrum that destroyed most of Manhattan to hear his punishment from his douchebag adopted dad, Odin (least. favourite. person. ever). Notably, Frigga, his mother is the person who is most affected by Loki's destructive nature and it's touching and it's sad and Frigga. ♥ One thing I would have maybe loved from Thor 1 and 2 is an exploration of the awesomeness of Frigga. She is perpetually underappreciated as a character, but anyway.
Thor is off sorting out one of the nine realms and doing a mighty good job. Yet again, his exposition is surrounded by war and fighting; in keeping with his nature, I feel. When he returns, he feigns some bullshit to begger off going to a party and instead goes off to see Heimdall (♥♥) and finds out Jane is missing. Then by some weird magical magic that is wiped over, he ends up on Earth (.. why he couldn't have gone to her at some point and been like "I'm a bit busy but I thought I'd mention I haven't forgotten you?" no one knows.) with Jane and it's all beautiful and he takes her to Asgard and then lots and LOTS of things go wrong.

To say this was the film of my dreams is not necessarily true. It was perfect in so many ways but then NOT QUITE. The dynamic between Thor and Loki is played to a tee and you can tell that the actors have fantastic chemistry off-screen because they gel so well on screen. The same can be said for Thor and Jane (I was going to say that, whatever the outcome) and I'm grateful Jane got to continue being badass. The only problem is the end. I have a major, massive, super problem with the end. It was just. Blagh. I got to the end thinking, oh my god, it's honestly my new XMFC and then that. It's EVEN WORSE than Beach Divorce.
I was so disappointed. I expected better. I expected MORE.
The writers are clearly brilliant. They have written an amazing story that plays to the strength of their leads and it works extremely well but why, why, why couldn't they come up with a better closing?

Back to the happy; the acting is topnotch and I enjoyed everyone immensely - they are all wonderful people and Kat Dennings in anything just makes me grin. It's also beautifully shot. Seeing more of Asgard was fantastic and there are some wonderful scenes. Somewhat jealous it's not a real place, it's like a permanent Renaissance fair! Also, seeing other realms was an expansion into an almost endless universe of possibilities. It was grittier and darker than the last one (hint: The Dark World) but personally, I think Thor needed that. His shouty personality and inner spoiled child didn't work in Technicolor in Thor. He needs the grit and dirt.

Ps, for those that care, he is way calmer and less angry in this film. It's a much nicer atmosphere and just cements to me how freaking AWESOME Thor is.

tl;dr?: If you love Thor, this film is for you. If you love Loki, this film is for you. If you love a good fantasy, space epic, please, this film is pretty fantastic, covering the genres well and with respect. If you like Odin, please leave my blog :) ★★★★½

A BOOK REVIEW IS COMING SOON, I PROMISE.
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#4: Rush

Film: Rush (2013) (dir. Ron Howard, starring Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl, Olivia Wilde)

Is it weird to go and see a film about Formula 1 if you actually despise motor racing? Personally, when that film is Rush, I think the answer is a big fat no.
"Well, Laura," I hear you ask, "why did you go in the first place if you don't even like the subject matter?"
The answer is both simple and vaguely embarrassing. It's also probably the token answer of girls my age. You can see his face on the left.
(Typing this I'm probably blushing).
To be fair, my flatmate and I deduced that the groups of girls in the cinema were there for the same reason (and when that reason is shirtless, it just gets better). I was not alone in my shallow madness.
Because of this though, I went in with very low expectations. I knew from reading about it that the reviews were better than good, they were excellent and I expected that even if the crashing and bashing and 'nnnghewwwww (the motor racing noise as cars go round bends. You know what I mean)' noises were a bit irritating and over the top than it may still be an enjoyable watch.
I didn't therefore think that I would come out waxing lyrical about this film. Honestly.
The premise is this. 1976 Formula 1 season. Shit is going down between the British driver, James Hunt and his 'enemy' behind the wheel, Austria's Niki Lauda. It's a true story so if you are interested in how it turns out, please feel free to Wikipedia it. As you've guessed from the poster, it is potentially a film about James Hunt. And that, dear readers is where I must correct you. It is a fascinating balance between the stories of both men. It gives both Hemsworth and Brühl adequate air time, if not slightly more in Lauda's favour. And despite going to stare at Chris Hemsworth's face, I was not disappointed to spend more of my time seeing Daniel Brühl's face.
Given that both actors are playing Formula 1 drivers, they do not stint on passion and drive. Each provides their character with great sensitivity and the passion expected from such determined people and I was gunning for them both by the end. The only problem therefore is they are the shining lights and no supporting actor comes close. There is a cheeky wee role for the wonderful Stephen Mangan, who I love dearly but in the light of Hemsworth and Brühl, he might as well just not bother. It's the same for all the others; Lauda's wife, Marlene (Alexandria Maria Lara (three first names, say wha-?), Clay Regazzoni (Pierfrancesco Favino) and other bit parts (particularly Olivia Wilde who gets high billing but blink and you miss her; much like the marriage between Suzy and James) who try their best but are not quite as bright.
It's not just the acting though that's classy. The whole film reeks of 1970s 'class'. It's shot in that romantic sepia the era requires and the music, oh the music. Hans Zimmer masterfully scores a soundtrack to be proud of. It's a soundtrack I do need in my life it's that beautiful. Sweeping vistas are created in his orchestra, beefed out by classic rock of the age. It's a masterpiece running alongside the film. Everything is touched with respect, love and adoration. It's a film for the eyes (and not just because Chris is easy on them).
Ron Howard has created a triumph in Rush. It's not just a driving film by the end. It's a film of friendship, love and passion. A film that needs the explosions to be set pieces, but the true explosions are in the acting and the details. It's a film that needs to be seen.

tl;dr?: A top cinema pick of 2013. A driving film with so much more going for it. Wonderful atmosphere, wonderful actors and a fantastic story. Ron Howard, I bow to you. ★★★★★

(teeny bit of admin; as you may have noticed, I watch more films than I read books (I just don't have the time, guys) SO, I'm going to do special book features when I complete a book and I will do films as often as I have time. Recommendations by the way are welcome at all times! Drop me a wee message. Next will be a book review because I finished one the other day!)
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#4 (or 3.5): Divergent/Insurgent

This isn't really a fourth post, it's more 3 mark 2, as I fulfill the book quota that I didn't include last time. I fear, as I'm doing two books, this could get quite long.

Book: Divergent and Insurgent, both by Veronica Roth (2011 and 2012)
I will admit, my book taste feels a bit like a Young Adult bestseller list (or something that a 12 year old boy requests for Christmas due to my unhealthy obsession with Anthony Horowitz' books and lame fantasy adventure, even though I'm 21 and female).
I would be ashamed of that but I'm really not. Some Young Adult writers write beautiful pieces. It's cliche, I know, but I did genuinely adore John Green's 'The Fault in Our Stars' but also, I have real love for 'Boy Meets Boy' by David Levithan (who is a friend of John Green. Their novel 'Will Grayson, Will Grayson' is another classic with me) and if you've missed the internet phenomena that was Susan Ee's Angelfell, get ON THAT. (I intend to review this at a later date, if only to read it again..)
These authors have moved me. They've made me connect with characters, empathise with their situation or create a magical world for myself. Veronica Roth did not. Yes, I'm aware that is an unpopular opinion, but I'm not sorry.
I read Divergent because of the comparisons with Suzanne Collins' fantastic series, The Hunger Games (if you haven't heard of it/read it, get out from under your rock. Where have you been? Quick run down - the president of the US is still black, there is still war in the Middle East, the Hunger Games was the biggest phenomena to young adults since Twilight (I know that wasn't long ago, but we have a short attention span, keep up!) and Hannah Montana is now a natural blonde and naked more often than not.) but I have to say, that's an insult.
The stage is Chicago. A dystopic Chicago in fact, because currently a book cannot be published without a wee dash of dystopia (yes, 2010, it was vampires. We've moved up.. maybe). Everyone is separated in 'factions' based on their leading personality type and at the age of 16, teenagers are assessed and may, if needs be, leave their families and join a new faction. This is what happens to Beatrice Prior (pretentiously calling herself 'Tris' when she moves), the protagonist of our story. She moves to Dauntless, the foolhardy, idiotic bunch (yes, I think I'd be Candor. To the surprise of no one) and then SHIT GOES DOWN. That's really all I can say without spoiling it too much for you. Just know that things happen, people die, she falls in love (which is a bit out of place, but okay) and there are punches and knives thrown. I did say they were foolhardy.
In Divergent, Tris is alright. She's just alright. She's not a particularly strong protagonist and I find her extremely uninteresting. Her thoughtprocesses do not capture my attention and also, I find a lot of her choices unjustified and bizarre. Roth clearly bends Tris to fit the story rather than the story to envelope her character.
In Divergent, this is manageable. In fact, on the whole, Divergent is just that. Okay. It's an alright read if only because it's a good enough exposition. It sets up something that could be really awesome. Tris has some potential.
In Insurgent, she is unbearable. Tris is quite possibly the whiniest motherfudger to walk this Earth (tied with Bella Swan to be honest). Her choices are reckless, stupid and just.. oh god, slap the girl can you? It took me nearly a week and a half to finish the book because she just made me so infuriated. The whole world revolved around her and her inner crises. 'I have to deal with this HUGE CRAP all by myself because heaven forbid I tell anyone and make my life easier, moan, whine, moan.' Just, one steaming pile of no.
This happened in Mockingjay and I lost all respect for Katniss but with Katniss, there was a backstory. Hell, I'd be fucked up if I'd had to go through all of that TWICE. With Tris, she did one bad thing (okay, it was pretty awful) and something happens which is really, really crappy BUT THE WHOLE WORLD COLLAPSES AND EVERYTHING IS ABOUT HER AND OH MY GOD. I just. Pull your shit together, girl. We cannae be dealing with this nonsense.
Other issues with Insurgent include (but are not limited to): the constant moving (I got whiplash trying to keep up with the different places and people), the fact that Jeanne Matthews was actually a pretty weak villain really, the fact Four is actually a bit wet and to top it all off, I lost the train early on and just couldn't keep up, the political intrigue just isn't good enough to keep you intrested. Oh and the fact I really stopped caring.

tl;dr? The least exciting dystopic novel to fall in my lap, possibly ever. Bothered, I was not. Tris makes you want to punch walls. Or her. Avoid if you get easily irritated. Or if you like a well built character.
Divergent:★★★☆☆
Insurgent: ★★☆☆☆

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#3: Elysium

Film: Elysium (2013) (dir. Neill Blomkamp, starring Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley)
Confession time (as seems to be a tradition with film reviews I make).
I. Haven't. Seen. District. 9.
That felt like a proper "I'm Laura and I haven't had a drink in 12 days" type confession. Also, vaguely cathartic. I suggest you try it some time.
District 9, if you are like me and avoided it, was a film that seemed to appear out of the undergrowth and introduced a whole new form of class-ism into society (apartheid but instead of racism through colour, it was racism through well, being an alien (an actual alien)), giving us plenty to talk about. As I haven't seen it, I cannot comment but friends and family who have seen it (ie, most of them) were extremely impressed. It was for that reason we went to see Blomkamp's sophomore effort, 'Elysium'.
My, what a lot of food for thought. I should point out that when I first left the movie theatre, I was in awe of this movie and my review would probably have been very different. In the cold (rainy) light of day, there are more plotholes in this movie than Swiss cheese so, we shall see where I go with this review.
First, a summary so you get where I'm going with this. The year is 2154 and Earth has become unbearable. Therefore, those with money have eloped to Elysium, an 'intergalactic' space station hanging above Earth (it can be accessed by pod in ~15 minutes or so to give you an idea of closeness). Down on Earth however, it is like one large shanty town. Everyone is fighting for space, jobs, healthcare; you name it, we haven't got enough of it. Therefore, people are illegally entering Elysium airspace to try and get medical attention. Yes, you guessed it. This was a film centered around healthcare and our ability to access it dependent on class and money. Obamacare, anyone? Also, Pixar might have got in on a similar story five years earlier; be the judge of that yourself.
Unfortunately, that is all it is about but not all it could be about. You get me? The world of Elysium is great and filled with potential (ie, some of the questions my mum asked me after were like; why don't all doctors leave Earth if they can afford to be in Elysium? There is still class-ism on Earth as some people had wide screen TVs and some people didn't. Is Elysium more communist in that everyone has greatness and no one is in the lower echelons of society? How is the political structure on Earth if politicians leave to be on Elysium because they can afford it? HOW DOES THE ATMOSPHERE STAY ON ELYSIUM IF THERE IS NO ROOF? (if you see it, this question will become clear and if you have an answer, please let me know!)) but was so underexplored. Instead, we spent time scrabbling on Earth which was not half as interesting.
However, the cinematography was stunning. Visually, Blomkamp created a clear divide between the lush, rich environment on Elysium where life is technicolour, whilst Earth was multiple shades of grey. The shanty town in Mexico City where this was filmed (but was meant to be Los Angeles (oh how the great do fall)) illustrated the true desperation society could reach if allowed to make it that far and only highlighted the true extreme differences between the two habitats.
Yet, even with the flawed story, the acting in Elysium was top notch. Matt Damon never fails to impress me. Having seen his other summer release, Behind the Candelabra (at least it was in the UK) where his character couldn't be more different, I never felt I was watching the same actor. Max comes to life in Damon's hands and he plays the character sympathetically and creates someone we cannot help but root for, despite the crimes he must commit. Jodie Foster, the other major name in this movie was both brilliant but undervalued. Her part felt very short, a blink and you miss her character. She was billed as the villain of the piece, but personally, I think that award goes to the agent she hires, played expertly by Sharlto Copley, a Blomkamp alum. He gave terrifying a whole new face (literally, as you will see). His part was in equal parts (okay, maybe 60-40) menacing and hilarious. He was an attempt of comic relief yet the most dark comedy you've ever witnessed. He needed a 'Do Not Underestimate' tag on his army kit, I can tell you.
All in all, Elysium is a film worth seeing if only because Dystopia is a fascinating subject. It is interesting to see where the world could go. Personally, I'd prefer Elysium over some other scenarios (the Hunger Games = I'd die in the first five seconds or 1984 = the idea of limiting knowledge scares me more than anything) but if we could try and avoid it, that'd be swell, ta.

tl;dr?: Personally, I think Wall-E told a similar story but was hella cuter. Better luck next time, Blomkamp. A film worth seeing if only because analysis in the aftermath is so great. ★★★½*☆

(yes, I did say I'd do a book and a film review. This just grew to be a monster so I'm going to do a book-only review in the next post!)
(*read ½ as a half star and this will remain the same in all future posts)
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