Elysium (2013) [review]
Elysium (2013) [review]
Almost watchable, utterly detestable film for gibsmedats
Quick Review
Bad film which could have been good if not for the pandering SJW ideology.
Career criminal from a poor background gets caught, goes to prison then gets released. Claims to be rehabilitated. We don’t see any of this.
He’s now living in what could be modern day Los Angeles, working a low-end factory job, being a productive member of society. One day the boss orders him to do something moronic, he does, is rewarded with a terminal illness, blames everyone else for his stupidity and begins a crusade to destroy civilisation. Spaceships, robot fights, cyborgs, shields, guns, magic and technologically hyper-advanced Mexican cartels ensue.
It’s a tale of blaming your mistakes on everyone else. Never taking responsibility. Punishing others for succeeding in life, bitter because the choices you made turned out bad. All masked behind a ludicrous budget wasted on unnecessary effects and high-profile actors.
Overview
Location(s): Mexico, space station (Elysium)
Writer(s): Neill Blomkamp
Director(s): Neill Blomkamp
Main actor(s):
'Matt Damon' as 'Max'
‘Sharlto Copley’ as ‘Kruger’
‘Jodie Foster’ as ‘Delacourt’
Official Synopsis:
“In the year 2154 two classes of people exist; the very wealthy who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. Secretary Rhodes, a government official, will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserver luxurious lifestyles of the citizens of Elysium. That doesn't stop the people of Earth from trying to get in, by any means they can.
When unlucky Max is backed in to a corner, he agrees to take on a daunting mission that if successful will not only save his life, but could bring equality to those polarized worlds.”
Box Art:
First View Impressions
This is more of a rant than a review, but I don’t have a rant section and this movie annoys me so much that I wanted to write about it.
Despite what you’ll read on the rest of this page, ‘Elysium’ is not that bad. It’s bad, though not the tenderly gouging your eyes out with a pneumatic drill bad I make it out to be. There is a segment of society this movie will appeal to. Not the type of people you want in your home.
‘Elysium’ is an underdog action movie. It’s not a full-throttle 90 minute joyless-ride of special effects, car chases and endless gun fights. All those elements are present, but well paced and cleverly spaced out. There’s somewhat of a long lost love story, evil scheming, revenge and necromancy. A movie which should appeal to everyone. Apart from me, obviously.
You’re unlikely to find anything visually unappealing. Effects are top-notch and hold their own 9 years later. Acting is impressive but so is the cast list. Matt Damon and Jodie Foster being the brightest stars, though the supporting cast should be deservedly offended if viewers don’t recognise any of them.
1 line tragically delivered early on by Fichtner, should have your face compacting like any parent at an elementary school play. Good actor who couldn’t do anything with that garbage wording.
The cover for this movie doesn’t do it justice. Only Matt Damon? I don’t understand why such a high profile support cast would be on the cover in name only. Maybe they didn’t want their faces attached to this piece of modern art?
You may be forgiven for thinking that ‘Elysium’ is a run-of-the-mill sci-fi action movie. Something to throw on and switch-off to on a Saturday night. That was my wrong-think the first time I saw it. Watch it at least a second time and pay more attention to the subtle brainwashing. Analyse what’s said, what actions are being taken, why they’re taken and how the ending was supposed to be a good thing. Hopefully you’ll understand.
If not, continue reading. It’s a shit storm under the surface.
In More Detail (some spoilers, nothing major)
No major spoilers here, but film structure and plot is analysed in detail. If in doubt, just watch the film.
‘Elysium’ is a big budget Hollywank movie that the majority of people should have, at least accidentally, seen on TV during the holidays. SJW brainwashing is abundant, cleverly masked behind good pacing and impressive action sequences. Don’t get me started on the non-science and pseudo-tech I’m supposed to ignorantly accept. Not yet anyway.
It’s not a movie Matt Damon (Max) should be remembered for, but he plays he role of generic action guy well. Jodie Foster (Delacourt) is, again, alright but nothing memorable. She plays a pompous, heartless bureaucrat overseeing daily operations of the Elysium station.
I did find the scenes with Foster speaking French pretentious on her part (not the character). You can speak French, well done. The film is based in Mexico. is the message here that the French are better than Mexicans? No Mexicans will ever achieve anything and make it to Elysium?
Sharlto Copley (Kruger) is… a name I will never remember. The South African guy from ‘District 9’ (2009). Although a competent actor, he looks rather out of place. Kruger is a bitter, remorseless, cybernetically enhanced government mercenary, tasked with stopping Max and the Mexicans. Maxicans? An imagery not quite fitting his short, wiry frame.
There are numerous other characters who occasionally pop-in to say hello. All capable actors, no complaints. William Fichtner was criminally underused to the point where a lesser actor could have been cast. Not trying to do the guy out of work, I can’t think of a role he’s taken which didn’t impress me. However the more money saved during production, the more profit there will be, the more chance of a second film. I doubt a franchise was ever on the cards with this unapologetic attempt at social engineering.
Most of the film takes place in what I’ve been unreliably told is Mexico. For the longest time I thought it was Los Angeles. Still skeptical. OK, so why isn’t anyone speaking Mexicanese?
There’s no longer any grass or tarmac. Everything is dirt, sand and buildings reminiscent of ancient rural Afghanistan post US war of aggression. Why is this? I’m not sure if it was explained and I don’t want to watch this shit again. I can look on Google Earth and Mexico doesn’t appear to be in the Sahara. Let’s not pretend there were any original thoughts during the production of this movie, it’s the simpletons catch-all blame of CO2 global warming!!!
The space station Elysium provides a means for successful people to live happy lives, away from the criminal elements and depravity of Earth. Which would infer the rest of Earth is also a desert-esque wasteland (Climate change!) or people would simply move to somewhere else on the planet.
Why is the main character American? Supervisor American, CEO American, South African bad guy? Surely a better plot would be disadvantaged Mexicans struggling to escape Earth for a better life on Elysium. Why is the film even based in Mexico with the non-native main cast?
All the corporate people in the movie are American. To me, it’s the filmmakers saying Mexico has been run in to the ground due to extortionate US business practices. Not because of their own problems. The only people who can save them are… more Americans!
Max is a nobody. He fits in to all this because he’s injured on the job. In a really dumb way. The only cure is by means of a magical bed only found on the Elysium station. Why is it only on the station? This isn’t the kind of movie where you should ask such questions.
Without the money or social status to reach Elysium, our ‘hero’ contacts the local Mexican cartel. They have spaceships, a command center, formidable weapons and a cybernetic enhancement laboratory. It’s a bench in a filthy room, but does the job of enhancing Max with lead pipes and a computer screwed in to the base of his skull. Where did th… no. Just no. Don’t ask.
Things are rarely so simple, especially with the Mexican Amateur Space Administration. In order to use magic healing beds, one must be a registered member of Elysium. All of which costs a lot of money, more than Max could earn in a lifetime let alone the few days he has to live. A deal is made with the cartel whereby Max will be sent to the station. Though instead of healing himself, he will bring down the entire system. Maaaaaan!
Fitted with the best technology Mexico has to offer, Max heads to Elysium and the painfully predictable ending.
There’s a sub-plot with an ex-girlfriend (?) who’s a nurse, she has a kid with a terminal form of cancer. I think. Doesn’t matter. The only cure is on Elysium, but will she make it and how!
‘Elysium’ is as dumb as films get, but you’re unlikely to notice this immediately. I too got caught up in the spectacle and blanked most of it out. The second viewing is where I started noticing moronic issues such as wealth transfer to the poor and free healthcare for all. That makes sense. If you’re an idiot. Reward people for doing nothing and have them live forever, continuing to breed like animals at an unsustainable level. Not like that’s why the West has already failed as a civilisation. This is why Elysium exists; to segregate the talented from dent heads and let them die out.
‘Elysium’ obviously has no grounding in reality, our reality, real reality. It’s the wet premonition of every deluded addict in California. You’re supposed to feel bad watching it because you’ve succeed in life and others haven’t. Fuck ‘em.
There’s a story, a good one, which should bring you back for more mentally punishing sittings. Unfortunately, it’s those subsequent torture sessions which will ruin the movie for you. If you’re paying attention.
Don’t Read This Section!
I’m not covering the entire movie and taking away potential earnings. This is an area for parts of the review which may ruin the viewing experience, not for disclosing every plot point. From here I’m assuming everyone has seen the film.
Robots and the Incident
Robots are everywhere. They’re servants to the rich on Elysium, security guards on Earth, parole officers and medical professionals. All safe jobs humans could be doing, should be doing. Wait for it…
The set up for Max (Matt Damon) is that he works a manual labour job in a dangerous factory. Something a robot would do much faster and quicker, without breaks or pay. Also, the robot is less likely to get injured and bring down society. You know what’s coming…
Max is manning some sort of radiation oven? Humans place pallets of equipment inside, they get radiation treated then humans pull the pallets out. One day a pallet gets dislodged inside the oven, setting off an alarm. Max tries giving it a kick but can’t adjust the load properly. The supervisor turns up and meekly announces “Either you go in there right now, or I’ll find someone who will”. A normal person would have responded with “You go in” or “Find someone else”. But that’s toxic masculinity and we can’t that in a Hollywank movie.
Supervisor leaves, max enters the oven and the door plot-triggeringly slams. Oh no! Whatever the hell this cooker thing is activates, Max screams like the blue-haired incompetent bitch who’s job this should have been in the first place, then passes out.
Why is a robot not doing this job! There’s a robot working as health and safety officer at the damn factory. After Max is injured, a robot gives him some pills and informs him he’ll die. Why? That robot only exists because of humans doing jobs that the robot should be doing. If the floor workers were all robots, there would be no need for health and safety.
Why is there no safety sensors to detect people inside the oven and shut it down? The technology exists in this universe. We know because the magic beds, which cure everything, can detect and differentiate between living beings using them. You know who doesn’t need biological safety sensors in a factory? Robots.
Why didn’t Max use a stick to nudge the pallet from outside, fixing the problem with near zero danger! Something wild have been observed doing in jungles; using sticks to eat terminates out of holes. Maybe the door starts closing but gets jammed open by the stick? We know there’s a door close sensor because the oven only activates once it’s closed. So there’s no danger of leakage with the door wedged open by a stick.
Why should we even care?
This single dent-headed action, in a poorly thought out scene, is the movies foundation. Without this pathetic set-up, Max would never go to Elysium and everything would continue as normal. How am I supposed to sit through another 60 minutes of this monstrosity when this thought is repeating over and over. Unless it’s all a dream?
Our ‘hero’ is not. He’s a bad guy dishing out revenge on people he thinks injured him, under the guise of making the world better for everyone! Apart from the lives he’ll destroy on Elysium and the people he’ll kill to get there. In reality, everything was all his fault. No one made him enter the oven. If the supervisor had sent someone else in, they would have died and Max would take their job. Everyone’s a winner. Yeah, even the dead guy. One less day of misery to live.
Perhaps this series of fortunate events was intended as some social commentary on the value of human life? Where the company cared more about their expensive robot workers than humans with no families, that’s why humans worked the shop floor? That’s a more generous interpretation than ‘Elysium’ deserves. It was probably just bad writing (cough).
I don’t want to live in a world where we need a sign reading…
The Factory
Why was the factory? The people in this movie have no respect for where they live or work. That’s why they’re not welcome on Elysium. Animals.
Technology - Shields
Kruger has a personal energy shield. Why does Kruger have a personal energy shield? Is it a South African thing? No other person or thing in the film has a shield. Wouldn’t it have been handy for Flichtner’s shuttle to have a shield, considering it contained 2 heavily armed robot guards. I doubt Bugatti were happy with their product placement when their shuttle was so easily destroyed.
Perhaps Fichtner, a high ranking person who does something important, could have a personal shield? Maybe give one to the security guards on Elysium or at least the robots, considering their ‘lives’ are more important. Apparently.
How about fitting Elysium with a shield system as a final line of defence against illegal economic migrants. They managed to evade the Elysium missile defence, which was nonsense, but it would take more than some Millennium Falcon skills to bypass a shield wall.
Energy shields are dumb and create too many plot holes. That’s one of the infinite list of reasons why ‘Babylon 5’ was so great; no energy shields. Apart from ‘Thirdspace’.
Technology - Guns
Bullets are small and there’s a limit to what technology could feasibly be placed in a 7.62mm round. Even in the realms of nanotechnology, likely a good 500 years away, there isn’t much room. Depending on the ammunition, it could require a very limited power source.
Air-burst bullets from a modified AK which explode within 5 meters of a designated target? No. Each round would need multi-directional senors to detect the target, a computer and power source all within the bullet. If they stated any target, I could be persuaded to buy shares. It would need a lot less computing power and fewer sensors. However, an air-burst round which only detonates near robotic target would convince me to go in on a time share.
Perhaps the robots emit an EM signal or the round is detonated by proximity to metal? No computing power needed and no energy source as it could be accomplished through magnets. Maybe. There are still holes in the idea but it’s far more conceivable than a friend or foe programmable bullet for a modified AK.
How about a a big arse laser cutting gun which instantly carves a large breach point in Bugatti shuttles. A vehicle designed to withstand the extreme friction of Earth’s atmosphere. It comes with multiple laser shape settings, from some dumb reason, with circle a seemingly popular choice. Not sure why when the door was square and the square beam fitted perfectly, because it’s square. Whatever. It looked quite unwieldy, likely because of power requirements. Smart design.
Given how fast and effective it was, why did no one create a smaller version to be used on robot guards? That would have been far more useful. A lightweight version could also cut off the shuttle door locks so the Mexicants could gain entry, rather than cutting a holiday home sized chunk out of the frame.
More importantly, if the Mexicants have this technology then why are they living like a third world country?
Would you like a machine gun which is aimed through a VR headset? Sounds fun. Did I mention you still have to be holding the gun, steadying it and manually pulling the trigger? Negating any benefit of the VR headset. Firing arc is still limited by arm movements. You would need to be facing the target but wearing a VR headset. Sounds shit. Definitely something the US military would fund.
Compound this with incompetence and the one guy who absolutely couldn’t get shot, absolutely does. Due to the VR headset guy looking in the opposite direction to the enemy, firing directly at and striking Fichtner who is nowhere near the robot target.
Everything about this weapon concept is terrible.
Flying miniature explosive homing discs? Put these in the same category as bullets; dumb dumbs. These mini UFO’s seem to have target tracing technology built in. They’re launched at targets from distance, fly towards a self-tracked target, dig themselves in and are remotely detonated. The amount of technology required for all this is unfathomable in something akin to a short stack of POGs.
Surface-to-space shoulder mounted missiles. I mean, it’s one of the more realistic weapons. The only major limitation the ordnance would have is fuel. Kruger fires a salvo of missiles out of a shoulder mounted launcher, not much larger than anything in current world armies. They following shuttles barely in the air, though fired from quite the distance and out of sight. Once fired they make an immediate 90 degree course correction to their targets. No attempt at all to vaguely aim in the general direction of the shuttles. Why not aim it at the shuttle?
Jump cut to shuttles now outside the atmosphere and the missiles are trailing at quite the distance. Continuity much? If the missiles haven’t caught up with the shuttles by the time they’re in space, they aren’t going to hit. But they do. I guess there’s some crazy new fuel and propulsion system in Elysium. Fair enough.
If the missile guidance were linked to a satellite targeting system, it would work. Kruger would have access to the most advanced technology there is given he’s funded by the Elysium government. OK, I’m fine with this weapon.
Rail gun. Why in the name of shit French accents wasn’t this in more of the film! After Max reaches Elysium he encounters an armoury of insane weapons. He picks up a rail gun and it is awesome. The looks, sounds, firing effects and damage it does are spot on.
Firing a rail gun within a space station is about as intelligent as walking in to a large, active, microwave oven. It doesn’t cause too much damage though. Perhaps the Elysium superstructure is made of some tough, unknown alloy. Or the gun isn’t that powerful; being designed to penetrate flesh and lightly armoured robots?
The only issue I take is with reiterating the opening point. Why wasn’t it used more in the movie when it looks so cool. Kruger was armed and funded by Elysium, so why didn’t they give him one back on Earth? Maybe they’re outlawed on Earth? He seems to like swords and knives so maybe it’s personal preference.
Why didn’t Max take more than 1 when he left the armoury. It ran out of ammo quicker than a fat person out of a china shop after an earthquake.
Technology - Magic Healing Space Beds
I don’t how else to describe it. There’s a slightly futuristic looking tanning bed, exclusive to Elysium, which people lay on and subsequently healed of any ailment. We witness it curing skin cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, mending broken bones and rebuilding a guys head which was obliterated by a grenade. Each of these procedures take a mere few seconds to complete. Apparently it can repair and/or regenerate hands too, as mentioned in a passing conversation.
Even with the nano-ist of nanotechnology, this is moronic. When active, the bed hums and glows as a hoop spins around it. Maybe something is transferred through the bed? If not, then there must be a form of healing radiation from the spinning hoop? I’ll take any information on how it functions over nothing.
Could a machine cure cancer? I don’t see why not. Bad radiation to kill the cancer, good radiation to cancel out the bad, then some genetic manipulation to remove it from DNA. I didn’t say it was believable, but that’s a simple way to explain a machine curing cancer.
Could a machine rebuild a dent head? Possibly. Could it be done in a few seconds? Of course not. It’s a plot device by hacks who have written themselves in to a corner. The background is that a grenade explodes close to Kruger’s head and inflicts significant damage; jaw is destroyed, face is completely caved in and eye sockets shattered. Basically an insurance write-off.
However, the brain is still functional. Which would normally be the point I switch a movie off as the concussive effect would scramble his noodle. Reminder; he has significant cybernatic enhancements. It’s plausible these extend to brain implants, helping him survive such horrific injuries. Why? The film has made it abundantly clear that robot lives are worth far more than humans.
Anyway, Kruger is alive and rushed to a magic space bed. We’re treated to some very expensive computer graphics as his head is rebuilt within seconds. This is beyond radiation therapy or stimulating the body to heal, it must be nanotech. In the realms of science fiction that would normally be totally acceptable. Little machines repairing bodies? Been done a thousand times.
It’s the speed that bothers me. Within seconds the face is stripped down and rebuilt; jaw, teeth, tongue, nose, eyes, skin and hair all reconstructed in less time than it takes to boot Windows 10. Another insult to the viewer. How am I meant to engage with this universe if so much in it makes no sense?
Enough about the technical aspect. Why are the beds only found on Elysium? They work on Earth as proven at the end of the film. How much effort would it take to infiltrate these planet side facilities over flying in to space? I would bet infinitely less. More plot holes.
Fuck it, let’s say the beds cause climate change. Every other idiot uses that excuse.
Technology - Elysium
‘Elysium’ is set around 130 years in the future. Currently humans barely have the technology to reach our moon, let alone build a sustainable base there. That’s generously given a timeline of 70 years space experience. Technology moves at a frighteningly slower rate than peons realise. Systems such as artificial intelligence won’t be close to conception for another 500 years. Pre-programmed responses on a computer are not AI, they’re a case statement at best.
In this universe there is at least 1 space station which resembles a Halo rings. It has it’s own atmosphere, gravity, is self-sustaining with worthless missile defense systems that can’t even shoot down illegal economic migrant shuttles.
It’s impossible to do in 130 years. That’s all I’m saying on it.
Technology - Cyborgs
They’re pretty cool to be fair. I did have some notes, but after writing all the crap above I’m second guessing myself. The mechanical enhancements aren’t too far off current technology. There are videos floating around of people wearing similar style suits for heavy factory work. A few pistons, gears, pulleys, metal poles, a better supply than exists in our reality and the suits are quite feasible.
The Mexicans
If Mexico, as a country, had a successful space shuttle program a hundred years from now… OK. That’s easily believable. The world space program took off in the 1960’s and 60 years later we have the ability to reach other planets in our solar system. We don’t, it’s a waste of time and resources, but we could!
The picture ‘Elysium’ paints is one of an underground Mexican cartel operating a space program out of the ghetto. Not easily believable. Even today Mexico has a problem with corruption, but this is taking it to a comical level. If their government did have a space program, are we to believe 60 year old cleaning ladies are smuggling space shuttles out in their buckets? No one’s noticing?
It’s not a slant against Mexicans as a people. I’m sure they have a few mathemagicians sitting around who could easily manage a space a program. Obtaining all the technology required is the problem and it’s not explained. In a movie so heavily based around science as ‘Elysium’, these things either need to be explained or believable.
Sharlto Copley (Kruger)
A great actor terribly cast. This is not his role, even though he does an amazing job in it. If anything, the roles should have been reversed with Copley as the factory worker and Damon as the evil jacked-up mercenary. The casting agents must have gotten their post-it notes mixed up. Copley doesn’t have the physical attributes of a traditional tough guy. Usually a bad thing. However this is one time the technology makes sense. To a point.
Kruger has been cybernetically augmented with black PVC piping, which we’re to believe are metal poles, along with computer stuff. These enhance his physical attributes. Meaning he doesn’t need big muscles to make big muscle moves. However, there must be some physical element to using this equipment?
Hydraulics and electronics can supplement strength, but they can’t replace it. A person would still need a level of physical strength. Then how does that apply to the fight between Kruger and Max? They’re both been enhanced to a seemingly equal level., however Max has been hitting the roids. Does that make him stronger or are they equal in strength?
Kruger’s fight scenes were good and his character well fleshed out. The more times I watch it, the more comfortable I feel accepting him as a formidable villain. Especially after he’s headed by the magic space bed, goes bat-shit crazy and murders Delacourt. An awesome, unexpected treat.
Ending
Max plugs his brain in to the central Elysium computer, initiates software he mind-raped from Fichtner and dies. I don’t have a problem with that as it makes sense in the context of events which took place; Max’s noodle computer downloaded a program from Fichtner which gave him access to Elysium systems, but it contained embedded security which killed anyone accessing it. A well designed system.
The upload erased Elysium personnel databases, meaning no more security and anyone can use their systems. Effectively, everyone is now a resident. The work all those people living on Elysium did to earn their place there was for nothing. If everyone is entitled to the same quality of life, then why would any sane person run themselves in to the ground.
Why pound 16 hour days as the CEO of a major international organisation, if you’re lifestyle will never exceed that of an unemployed Twitch streamer? To better humanity? Fuck humanity. A sentiment shared by every person across the globe who’s bank balance reads over 2 commas.
It’s not an ending I approve of but it could have been worse. Scratch that, it will get worse. Fortunately there won’t be any sequel to horrify us. Rather than the Mexicants flooding Elysium with illegal economic migrants, the computer ‘recognises’ a humanitarian crisis and dispatches medical shuttles to Mexico. I counted 3 shuttles each decked out with dozens of magic healing beds. Is that bad?
Yes. Now the impoverished people are going to be healed and live much longer lives. The poverty will get worse, housing become more condensed, which brings more crime, fewer food and less utilities to go around. Their lives are not going to be better by living longer. They will be significantly worse.
People on Elysium are currently unaffected by this medical intervention, or so it appears on the surface. Why were these beds only on Elysium and saved for the ultra-wealthy? They must contain, or require to run, an extremely rare material. Instead of being conservative with this to prolong the lives of people that change the world, it’s being squandered on the unemployed. People who should be replaced by robots because they’re so fucking stupid they willingly walk in to giant active radiation ovens.
With the Mexicants now living longer and living conditions worsening, what do you think they’re going to do? That’s right, they’ll flood Elysium with illegal economic immigrants. We see this today in all the great countries. Literally each one is being invaded by dregs and the local inhabitants are being attacked. Whether it be their way of live, beliefs, living conditions, jobs, homes, possessions or physically. There’s a reason their countries are shit holes. It’s what they made them.
The only hope we have is that someone quickly restores the Elysium database, all the Mexicants are locked out of the system and better backups is implemented for future attacks. Otherwise they may as well evacuate the station, fire maneuvering thrusters and burn it up in the atmosphere.
Morality
The morality of ‘Elysium’ is a lunatics inversion of sanity. It perfectly encapsulates the idiocy of every Western government, teaching institution and media organisation. I wish the most painful of rectal deaths upon everyone involved in this project. It angers me that much. Even Fichtner. He should turned the role down.
We learn that it’s bad to be successful and want to live in peace. If you’ve worked hard, overcome every obstacle and made it Elysium, you are evil.
It could be argued that the Mexicants don’t want to live on Elysium, only access to the magic healing space beds. For what, to live longer? They live in a grossly overpopulated area, are breeding like animals and have done nothing to better their lives. This film is a lecture on equal rights. No such thing. People are not born equal, they have to prove themselves through action.
Intelligence would dictate these people stop having kids if they can’t support themselves, let alone them. No. We’re shown scores of children running around the poverty stricken wasteland begging for money and causing trouble.
Gangs and criminality are common throughout this fictional Mexico. Our ‘hero’ was a gang member, which is how he ended up in prison and working a menial factory job. That was his fault, just like the accident that ultimately killed him, yet he never takes responsibility. At the slightest sign of adversity he returns to his criminal past. Which gets Fichtner, along with some very expensive robots, permanently terminated.
Max’s entire neighbourhood is a shit hole. Graffiti, dilapidated buildings and everything is filthy. These people have no respect for where they live. Why should they be allowed on Elysium to ruin the lives of people there? Why should they even be allowed to visit and extend their worthless lives?
The message you should take from ‘Elysium’ is that the faster we build robot armies, the faster we can wipe out the dregs and live in peace. On Earth.
More
There is so much more to hate about this movie, but I doubt anyone is still reading by now…
