Oblivion

Name: Oblivion
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Thriller
Released: April 19, 2013
Duration: 124 min
Rating: 54
Cast: Andrea Riseborough, Melissa Leo, Morgan Freeman, Nikolaj Coster Waldau, Olga Kurylenko

2013

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 1151 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 1151 Ratings

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Oblivion

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: April 19, 2013 | PG-13

Starring: Andrea Riseborough, Melissa Leo, Morgan Freeman, Nikolaj Coster Waldau, Olga Kurylenko, Tom Cruise, Zoë Bell

Summary: Jack Harper is one of the last drone repairmen stationed on Earth. Part of a massive operation to extract vital resources after decades of war with a terrifying threat known as the Scavs, Jack’s mission is nearly complete. But when he rescues a beautiful stranger from a downed spacecraft, he begins to question everything he knows.Jack Harper is one of the last drone repairmen stationed on Earth. Part of a massive operation to extract vital resources after decades of war with a terrifying threat known as the Scavs, Jack’s mission is nearly complete. But when he rescues a beautiful stranger from a downed spacecraft, he begins to question everything he knows. [Universal Pictures]… Expand

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 124 min

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Critic Reviews

Andrew O'Hehir

Apr 19, 2013

Oblivion is a technical triumph rather than a philosophical breakthrough, demonstrating how beautifully digital effects can be blended with real people and real sets, demonstrating that neither Tom Cruise nor the 1970s will ever die, and announcing the unexpected arrival of a major science-fiction director. Read full review

Aaron Franco

Apr 17, 2013

Oblivion is a terrific-looking movie, alternating spare, sterile environments with homey organic ones, and making both look tremendously pretty. Kosinski also handles his action well, with cut-and-dried clarity and edge-of-seat energy. Read full review

The Playlist Oliver Lyttelton

Apr 10, 2013

It is overlong, and familiar, and never quite hits top gear -- it's never especially bad, but neither is it especially excellent, beyond the visual wow factor. But there's still a lot to admire in the film, not least that it's engaging from the first moment to the last. Read full review

Empire Olly Richards

Apr 10, 2013

Kosinski has again built a fantasy world that feels real to its core, but once more put most effort into the scenery and too little into the people. Read full review

Richard Corliss

Apr 22, 2013

In space, Jack hopes, someone may hear you dream. But in a movie theater, no one will see you yawn. Read full review

Lawrence Toppman

Apr 18, 2013

Oscar-winners Morgan Freeman and Melissa Leo turn up in cameo roles anyone could have played. Kosinski was smart to limit their screen time, because it’s awkward to have actors with weight and charisma hanging around those who lack both. Read full review

Calum Marsh

Apr 18, 2013

Absent of any sense of self-awareness, Oblivion seems only self-serious, a ponderous mess both misguided and unaware. Read full review

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User Reviews

batlantern_87

Apr 20, 2013

While the movie seems like a mixture of several different science fiction films, it is not fair to say it is unoriginal but it is more of a respectful throw back to the science fiction films of the 1970s. It has some spectacular action, some great concepts, and always beautiful imagery. It'sWhile the movie seems like a mixture of several different science fiction films, it is not fair to say it is unoriginal but it is more of a respectful throw back to the science fiction films of the 1970s. It has some spectacular action, some great concepts, and always beautiful imagery. It's not only worth checking out, its worth seeing, telling your friends about it and then seeing it again!… Expand

23 of 34 users found this helpful2311

crazyspaceman

Apr 20, 2013

The emotional weight, strong acting, and impressive visuals are enough to make the film a must-see. The story is much stronger than its getting credit for, and although some pieces seem familiar, they are grounded in plot and explanations that hardly make them derivative. This hasThe emotional weight, strong acting, and impressive visuals are enough to make the film a must-see. The story is much stronger than its getting credit for, and although some pieces seem familiar, they are grounded in plot and explanations that hardly make them derivative. This has underrated written all over it.… Expand

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

skyminster

Apr 22, 2013

Oblivion is a unsurprisingly great film, I had no doubts that it would be "great" ever since I saw the trailer; I didn't lose faith in it after seeing it's mediocre reviews. I disagree with most of them. Oblivion is thrilling with it's explosive action and mind-boggling yet great story-line.Oblivion is a unsurprisingly great film, I had no doubts that it would be "great" ever since I saw the trailer; I didn't lose faith in it after seeing it's mediocre reviews. I disagree with most of them. Oblivion is thrilling with it's explosive action and mind-boggling yet great story-line. The director lets you get to know the characters immensely well (with one or two exceptions...); he also manages to grab your emotions and lets you hang on the edge of your comfy seat/chair. It's not immensely intense or thrilling, but is to a nice extent. The actors portray their characters well, the cinematography is great, the music is good, the story is awesome all these things are great, but not phenomenal: so I give this film an... 8.4/10!… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

MaxHazard

Mar 18, 2014

Let me make this short and to the point. Is this movie good? Indeed it is. Will you remember it in a decade? Probably not. There is nothing mind blowing or necessarily original about this film, but while it may take different aspects of other Sci-Fi media, it manages to execute it in aLet me make this short and to the point. Is this movie good? Indeed it is. Will you remember it in a decade? Probably not. There is nothing mind blowing or necessarily original about this film, but while it may take different aspects of other Sci-Fi media, it manages to execute it in a successful manner. That, in my eyes, makes it a worthy title for the genre when understanding that many others like it are not so lucky. I would recommend Oblivion for those who enjoy slower paced Sci-Fi films, but I can not say the same for those who do not. This is not a must see, but when considering that Oblivion does feature a cast of Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman, maybe that is enough to please film goers who do not typically go for these kinds of movies. So in closing, good film, fun casting, but nothing amazing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

StaticSpine

Apr 20, 2013

The only positive side of this movie is visualization. Gorgeous post-apocalyptic America. The storyline pretends to be something big but it appears to be collected from parts of other sci-fi stories and if you've seen at least Moon 2112. Some of this one's storyline twists will be obvious toThe only positive side of this movie is visualization. Gorgeous post-apocalyptic America. The storyline pretends to be something big but it appears to be collected from parts of other sci-fi stories and if you've seen at least Moon 2112. Some of this one's storyline twists will be obvious to you. The (melo)dramatic moments do not seen natural to the other components.
P.s. and I liked Andrea Riseborough's role. She was great.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

Xishnik

Nov 3, 2022

The concepts and plot in the movie while interesting on paper, are explored and executed in exceptionally uninteresting ways other than in a few scenes. The characters are very poorly written and the direction in this movie is almost zero. The writers/producers/directors didn't seem likeThe concepts and plot in the movie while interesting on paper, are explored and executed in exceptionally uninteresting ways other than in a few scenes. The characters are very poorly written and the direction in this movie is almost zero. The writers/producers/directors didn't seem like they wanted to even try. The only people who gave it their all were the people working on visuals and cinematography where the movie truly shines. In all other ways other than visual and conceptual, this movie is a giant flopapotatmus. Wasted cast and talent on the poor writing and direction. Also, Every time someone was firing a gun it felt really poorly executed. VFX: 8
Cinematography: 8
Action: 6
World building: 6
Acting: 5 (probably this remarkably bad due to the poor direction and writing)
Direction: 2
Writing: Not effective unit (2)
Pacing: sometimes an 7, sometimes a 3 => 5
Sci Fi: 6
Overall it gets a solid: "you should see the other guy" outta 10.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

bluefrankie55

Mar 12, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This was the worst movie I've ever seen. The only reason I saw this movie was because I saw that Morgan Freeman was in it and I was like "Hey Morgan Freeman's in it it couldn't possibly suck really bad" yet it definitely did. My main (emphasis on "main" meaning definitely not limited to) problem with this disgrace of-a-movie is that it makes no sense. I don't know if one can message me on Meta critic but if you can could someone please attempt to explain this movie to me. This is me at the movie:

So there's a guy and he's like a clone i guess? Wait what? Who? How? When? Where? I went to the movie with my mom and it took our brainpower together about 2 days to sort of figure out what this movie was about.… Expand

1 of 16 users found this helpful115

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11	#11 Most Discussed Movie of 2013
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