Oblivion

In this derivative, exposition-heavy, sci-fi adventure, Tom Cruise stars as Jack Harper, a high-tech security repairman, stationed high over Earth in the year 2077. Unlike his partner/controller, Victoria (Andrea Riseborough), Jack feels a curious affinity with the desolate, half-destroyed planet that he has never called home. But even though his memory has been “wiped,” Jack has disturbing dreams of being on Earth 60 years ago—before the devastating war—with a shadowy, dark-haired woman named Julia (Olga Kurylenko). On a drone reconnaissance mission, only weeks before Jack and Victoria are due to leave for Saturn's moon Titan, Jack discovers the mysterious Julia in a wrecked space-travel sleeping pod, after which he's captured by rebellious human “Scavengers,” or Scavs (led by Morgan Freeman) and begins to learn that what he has been taught to believe is far from the truth. Directed with striking visuals by Joseph Kosinski from his graphic novel, Oblivion is chockfull of familiar bits-and-pieces from better, post-apocalyptic sci-fi films—like Blade Runner and The Matrix— including Sally (Melissa Leo), their computer-voiced commander, a close relative of HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Since neither Kurylenko nor Riseborough forges any emotional connection, Cruise is left the thankless job of trying to carry this nonsensical thriller by himself, but star charisma only goes so far. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary with star Tom Cruise and writer-director Joseph Kosinski; the production featurettes “Destiny” (11 min.), “Illusion” on visual effects (6 min.), and “Harmony” on the theme song by M83 (6 min.); and deleted scenes (5 min.). Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are the behind-the-scenes featurettes “Combat” on the stunts (16 min.) and “Voyage” (10 min.), an isolated score option, and bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for an unoriginal sc-fi flick.] (S. Granger)