Review: Tom Cruise tones it down in visually stunning 'Oblivion'

Fox ^

[Perdogg]

“Oblivion” is a spectacular science fiction movie... until it isn’t.

Writer-director Joseph Kosinski (“Tron: Legacy”) has created a post-apocalyptic world so rich in detail and gorgeous design, that from the get-go it’s easy to assume this film will become a sci-fi classic. But as “Oblivion” crosses the threshold from the unknown to the all-too-obvious, the Tom Cruise alien adventure falls into familiar territory.

[llmc1]

The latest trailer looked pretty good. But I think I’ll wait for the DVD since we spent our movie budget money on Jurassic Park IMAX 3D. It was so worth it.

[trisham]

I’m looking forward to it.

[Nachum]

Cruise is like Mel Gibson - they may be borderline weirdos in person but put them either behind a camera or in front of one and they are two of the most talented people in the movie industry.

Indeed. One other thing is that nobody has ever complained about working with them. The project comes in under budget and in time. Lot's of respect here.

[Nachum]

Strange how things work...I’ve only seen one Tom Cruise film I DID like: Collateral. The rest were so much dreck to me. But I’m glad we don’t see eye-to-eye...it gives us things to talk about! LOL!

Ah well, sometimes you eat the bear, sometimes the bear eats you :)

[Monkey Face]

That’s what the local gamblers say, here in the Vegas Valley...;o]

[trisham]

I really liked "War of the Worlds" and the "Mission Impossible" movies. Cruise is great.

I love Gibson's movies as well.

[Monkey Face]

I haven’t seen Valkyrie, but if I can watch it without paying for it, I will do so. Thanks for the info.

‘Face

[x]

“Oblivion” is a spectacular science fiction movie... until it isn’t.

Don't tell me ...

... is that when Travolta shows up?

[vbmoneyspender]

The Mission Impossible movies are getting better with each sequal. Jack Reacher was good too.

For Gibson, I loved his recent movie Get the Gringo. Really funny. Even does an imitation of Clint Eastwood directing a movie. Hilarious!

Re Gibson, The Imaginationland South Park episode has a scene where the military is trying to get help from Hollywood in conquering monsters coming from our collective imagination. They bring in several directors to help. First M Night Shyamalan, then Michael Bay and finally Mel Gibson. Pretty fun clip: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xphtbw_south-park-those-aren-t-ideas-they-re-special-fx_fun#.UXB6KEqNDs8

[Nachum]

<(I>The Mission Impossible movies are getting better with each sequal.

I sort of like the first one the best. It was (to me) the closest thing to the original concept. Kept us guessing.

[chris37]

When it comes to Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman, I am made entirely of snot from head to toe.

But thank you, I do appreciate the answer regarding Glowbull Warming, because I really hate Glowbull Warming movies.

Knowing that it’s not one of those, there is a chance that I’ll watch this, because I really do like sci fi movies.

I’ll likely wait until it comes to PPV though.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Time of your life, eh, kid ?

[Vanders9]

It’s a much more serious movie than usual Tom Cruise fare. One of the problems with being an “action adventure hero” is, of course, that you get old eventually :) I think a lot of people were expecting that Valkyrie would be the start of his transition to more staid character based roles. Still he’s still turning out the adventure stuff too, so maybe he’s not quite done with that yet.

[Perdogg]

I saw the movie tonight, I liked it a lot, very strong ending. Both Andrea and Olga are Hawt!!!! I smell an Oscar nomination possibly for Olga.

I do not understand why people are continuing to complain about Cruise. Another conservative themed movie character.

If you like Phillip K Dick, you will like this movie. The Screenwriter must have been a fan, in fact, he bordered on outright theft.

I believe the rifle Cruise carries was stolen from “Starship Troopers”.

[Truth29]

"As for Oblivion, I can't wait to see it despite whoever is starring in it. I don't discriminate against sci-fi or any other genre simply because of the politics of whoever is starring in the film."

Once they go political I can't forget it. I used to love Morgan Freeman, but once he became Morgan if you oppose Obama you are a racist Freeman, he ruined it. I just tune him out now.

[tbw2]

I’ve read cracked.com articles on the reuse of props and even whole sets by Hollywood.

[LS]

I am not on the "boycott" Cruise list and actually think HE, not Hoffman, should have won the Oscar for "Rain Man." (I know, I'm in the minority). He was great in "Rock of Ages" and to my surprise showed he could really sing.

I think much of the blowback is not his politics but his Scientology and how he has employed it to oppress women. He threw away a beautiful Mimi Rogers because she was too old, broke up with equally beautiful Nichole Kidman and Katie Holmes because they wouldn't go "full scientology."

[trisham]

I love sci-fi, so I’m very pleased that you liked this movie, although I’ll probably have to wait until I can buy a copy and watch it at home. Still, it will give me something to look forward to.