Oblivion is a 2013 science fiction film directed by Joseph Kosinski, which strives to pose questions about the human condition while placing the earth in an apocalyptic state. For this film, Tom Cruise plays the main character, and the journey is nothing short of visually extravagant and emotionally layered as history, long buried beneath the sands of time, waits to be unveiled.
Oblivion features prominent works of philosophy and classical science fiction, while also granting the audience a peek into the turbulent psyche of an individual unraveling his identity. Apart from the mindless beauty of the film, the audience is also calmed by the almost dream-like score and a profound narrative which emphasizes the importance of individual introspection and courage.
Setting and Story Overview
In the narrative, the year is 2077, where humanity is pitted against the alien race named the scavengers in a devastating war. Though the war ended in humanity’s favor, the earth lay in ruins. While the remaining population has made residence on the moon Saturn’s moon Titan, a few derives in order to oversee the last portions of resource collection left on earth.
In the film, Tom Cruise portrays Harper, the stationed drone technician and repairman, who drone pilot fighters and maintenance equipment necessary for protecting colossal drones harvesting the Earth’s dwindling natural resources. He lives in a high tech tower with communication officer and wife (the wife seems to be a technocrat). They claim memory loss was a security strategy to enable them to concentrate on their task.
Jack appears to be an exception. He dreams about a strange woman whom he cannot recall ever having met and a lost New York City. He begins to become more inquisitive about the empyrean world and starts stealthily excavating the scrapped materials in a contravention of the standing order.
Everything Change When a spacecraft crash lands and Jack saves a woman named Julia. He then remembers, the woman from his dreams. Everything starts changing from the day of Julia’s arrival. Jack’s perception about the wars he fought, his duties, and even himself starts changing.
Jack is now exposed to various powers and must make crucial choices that will help him accumulate new ideas of himself and what is left of civilization. His journey in search of the truth is an attempt to address the powerful dominant forces that form the future of the rest of the mankind.
Central Figures
Jack Harper (Tom Cruise)
Within the confines of the film’s setting and narrative, Jack stands out as the focal point. Capable and level-headed, Jack remains calm under pressure, yet, as he is left with unsolved puzzles of the past, he begins to unduly overthink. All of the uncertainties and shortcomings Jack Harper ends up possessing leads him into self-discovery and an inspiring journey by the end of the film.
Victoria (Andrea Riseborough)
Victoria is an associate of Jack’s and also one of his colleagues. Jack is calmer and more focused when compared to Victoria, as he embraces the freedom of the empty space above, whereas she is bent over the borders and restrictions of the confines below. Jack poses a stark contrast to Victoria, as she views the reality of the situation with the mission as relatively unquestionable. Jack begins to question their reality, and she exhibits increasingly more discomfort over this, for the mission’s end is shrouded in a complete void.
Julia (Olga Kurylenko)
Julia emerges as a splendid reminder of a romantic and lost purpose Jack owns in clouds of memory. She is calm and strong yet exudes a quiet demeanor. Making effortless Jack and Julia’s connection to a key segment of Jack’s life, she also represents the nyctophobic past that Jack had once lived – a life of truth where reminiscence, purpose, and strong values abounded.
Malcolm Beech (Played by Morgan Freeman).
While guiding Jack to see the more profound aspects of the situation, Malcolm proves to be a thoughtful leader from whom even a person with quiet bearing such as Jack would be able to learn a lot. By remaining calm and philosophically thinking of the many aspects of a situation, a person is more able to grasp the intricacies of even mental issues. His more philosophical and thoughtful side allows him to offer help to Jack, while Jack too is encouraged to help himself and seek out the truth of the matter.
Thematic Development And Analysis
Oblivion as a film is largely about forgetting the past, and the attempt at trying to find the missing pieces. It hinges on the theme of memory. It is the film’s character Jack is primarily shown trying to remember something that does not fit with the world he has been conditioned to believe. It does not allow the film to rest. It keeps asking questions, and it does not let you simply brush them aside: When memory is “made” redundant, will we still be tagging the same person to the “self?” And, can instinct and feelings rekindle the same attachments we once had with ourselves?
Truth and Deceit
The text suggests there is something buried that Jack has yet to discover. The tension, which the narrative builds around the rest of the story, suggests that he has not even scratched the surface. The hidden truths that he uncovers as the story progresses, he uncovers them at a great cost. It aims to stimulate the audience and encourage them to dig deeper into the situation and to challenge the established narrative when they feel something is missing.
Connection and Humanity
Even with all its futuristic elements, the film still captures the essence of what lies at the heart of relationships – partners, family, and society. It is through Julia that Jack learns the meaning of love and develops an understanding of using passion as a way of connecting with people. The film teaches us that it is through heartfelt dedication that a person’s true identity is revealed.
Sacrifice and Renewal
New truths change Jack profoundly. He realizes that the decisions in his hands will have profound consequences on the lives of many. He is personally moved to act on their behalf, demonstrating the age old philosophy of self sacrifice for the wellbeing of all. He represents a glimmer of optimism for the future.
Visual Style and Soundtrack
The film’s visual appeal is astonishing. There is balance and beauty in the depiction of Earth’s terrain – mountains, deserts, and decaying cities. The earthy, the flying sleeks in Jack’s airship and his glassy scrapers give a marvelous timbre to the continent on ruins below.
The film’s audiovisual composition is a perfect match with the outstanding score that is subtle yet evokes a strong mood to reflect and navigate on. The composition heightens the film’s emotional impact, instilling a sense of awe; tension is heightened during needed scenes and respite is brought to introspective, still moments.
Much of the acclaim for Oblivion went to the combination of stunning visuals and deep emotional components. At the same time, the audience reaction was apathetic, as reviews were divided. It has changed, however, as the criticism regarding the ambition and artistry of the film has shifted, and appreciation for the film’s emotional heart has taken center stage. As the reviews came in, the science fiction elements were praised as being mature, philosophical, and thought-provoking. This, alongside the action sequences, was noted in the praise as a film-exploring principle, the tom cruise film, supporting element of the film, subtlety in stemming a characterstic prime mover.
Taking all conclusion of the film Oblivion has went down to memory, identity, and the remaining bearings of humans in the future and the choices that lie in front of those who desire to consider as future the emotional depths of being humans, closer to a more science fiction narrative. It is also noted that the film is more than just an adventure and that it’s truly a meditative piece immersed in the beauty of philosophical pondering.
The film Oblivion Cavern depicts captured emotions and thrilling thrilling visuals. In addition, Oblivion’s complex themes presents an engaging cinematic experience that lasts way beyond when the theatre goes dark. While watching the film, viewers find themsleves lost in discovering the the tangled an understated layers,
- The mythic aspect of memory, as well as the hope that spring comes when reason fails, begs an answer.
- The film’s unusual technological advances don’t just fascinate in an age of the digital. There’s art in these machines. They’re fine objects, free from the agitation of industrial production. And, like the thunderhead’s enchanted clouds, themselves work of art that take flight as sculpturing of air. The great artist whose mark is on the machines resides in the film’s sound. These machines aren’t just the expected tools which help in the story being told. It’s as if the very soul of aviation is captured in them. In them, The fragile, pale essence of aviation, is pinned down and rent asunder. And every particle of its being sings.
Watch free movies on Fmovies