10 Universally Disliked Blockbusters (That Really Aren’t That Bad)

Everybody fell in love with Neill Blomkamp after District 9, but it feels like he hasn’t been able to recapture the same lightning; the reception to Elysium was mixed, and the reviews for Chappie were downright vicious. Still, he managed to get a greenlight for Alien 5, his fanboy dream project, although time will tell if that actually happens.

This takes us back to Elysium, his second film and treated by many as the cracks in the exo-suit. While it got decent reviews the audience reaction was frosty, with many critiquing the sloppy story, the in your face subtext and a rare bad performance from Jodie Foster.

While those points were valid, the movie has more going for it than some give it credit. The cinematography and production design are top notch, giving the film a real lived in feel. The action scenes are well executed, and Blomkamp designed some nifty gadgets like the rifle that shoots through walls. Sharlto Copley is terrifying as Kruger, the agent hunting down Matt Damon’s thief and the movie comes alive whenever he appears.

Blomkamp admits he could have done a better job with Elysium, claiming the story should have been more developed. No argument here, but he should be happy he still made an inventive and refreshingly R-rated sci-fi thriller.