4. Acting
Matt Damon portrays Max, a factory worker doing his part in the slums with hopes of one day purchasing his ticket to paradise. As a child he has even promised his longtime friend that they would make it there together. I cant just credit Matt Damon and Alice Braga though as it is child actors Maxwell Perry Cotton and Valentina Giron who achieve the goal of getting viewers to invest into the dream and relationship via the opening sequence. Matt Damons poise walks the line between selfish, smart ass, and fueled up anger ready to explode. He balances the feelings well and truly shines during the ending sequences where he relinquishes his more selfish traits. Jodie Foster also plays a conniving witch of a Secretary of Defense alongside William Fichtner as they plot to keep Elysium under their political views. Their Earth lackey played by Sharlto Copey (District 9's protagonist actor) may be one note and cheesy, but he molds that into a strength by wielding a load of charisma.In short, all of the villains play their roles fantastically. None of the performances are necessarily award caliber but for a summer blockbuster dressed up in social commentary everyone gives above par performances, especially Matt Damon desperately fighting for his life.