Watching Oblivion is not the end of the world-you’ll really like it.

End of the world and time travel movies are fascinating because, unless they’re really horrible, they look OK from one angle or the other.  There is also the steampunk element that make them visually fun, when done right.  Oblivion is an end the world movie that’s been compared to a live action version of WALLE.

In my opinion that’s an unfair comparison. Oblivion has a very big scale, is gorgeously filmed and can easily stand on its own.  Another knock that can be taken at end of the world movies is that they don’t have strong characters.  Again, it’s the end the world, if characters in an apocalyptic movie were too happy or engaging then there would something wrong with the end of the world.  I want Earth’s last survivors to be somewhat solemn, ready to fight if needed and a little bit mopey.

Mopey until they find out that it may not be the end of the world!  Victoria and Jack staff an outpost on Earth that protects these giant ships that are sucking up the seawater to power the mother ship.  Jack has faint memories of Earth, Victoria is straight and by the book.  On one trip to the surface Jack is attacked by a group of  human shaped creatures who are trying to attack the giant seawater sucking ships.

So far it could be somewhat standard science fiction.  The story from there takes multiple  turns that you don’t see coming  and one that you can see coming.    Oblivion is not a perfect movie, but it is very good.  The scenery is vast, desolate and unique.  Even if you wholly dislike science fiction you’ll like watching Oblivion for the Icelandic scenery.

Parts of the Oblivion are familiar and will remind viewers of The Matrix, Independence Day or other recent science fiction movies.  That’s not entirely a bad thing because those parts don’t stay too long and the search for what exactly is happening on Earth continues.  There are a couple parts of the movie where it dragged a bit, cutting the movie by 15 minutes would’ve made it stronger.

Having said that, the soundtrack is near perfect and it’s fascinating to look at.  The special effects blend effortlessly into the background and make you like the characters.  OK, ‘like’ is relative, especially if you’ve seen the movie.  Again, it’s an end of the world movie, so nobody is particularly likeable.  It makes you ‘curious’ about what happens to them.

Huge bonus points for the film NOT being in 3D, but being filmed in IMAX.  IMAX suits Oblivion very well, if you’re curious about seeing the movie, see it in IMAX.  The vast Icelandic scenery, contrasted with the science fiction props and special effects look magical on the big screen.

Similar to Prometheus, if you go to Oblivion expecting to be entertained you won’t be disappointed.  If you go looking for the best science fiction movie of the year you’ll be disappointed.    Just go expecting a nice, above average action/space movie and you’ll have a heck of a time.  Children probably won’t like Oblivion.  There isn’t anything that is not appropriate, it may just move a bit slow for their taste.