Considering how disappointing 2013 has been for big-budget summer flicks, there’s a lot riding on Elysium to save the season from becoming one of my least favorite in recent years. Star Trek Into Darkness ended up being a pile of inconsistency, Iron Man 3 managed to be overwrought and underwhelming at the same time, and I won’t even start in on the likes of The Lone Ranger, White House Down or World War Z. If it wasn’t for the “tastes great, less filling” Pacific Rim and Man of Steel (Yes, I hated it less than you did), I’d already be calling the summer of 2013 a complete wash.

But as solid as Damon was, Sharlto Copley stole this movie from both him and co-lead Jodie Foster. He could have taken his character Kruger – kind of a black-ops mercenary with “control issues” –  way over the top. Instead, Copley skates the character on the edge, a broken man with a fractured psyche – though the too-obvious visual reference later in the flick might be unnecessary. The craziest part about the character – other than actually being, you know, crazy – is that even as he takes on the mantle of being the film’s true antagonist, the audience might realize that his endgame isn’t so dissimilar from the good guys’ … except for the whole “desperately trying to kill Max” part.

But Elysium largely ignores the bigger social questions it begins to ask. The prologue sets up the world of the haves and the have-nots well enough, even though it does place too simple of a black hat on the citizens of Elysium and their protectors. But the story as a whole dances around those issues rather than taking them on – as well as wrapping everything up in a nice, neat bow as the credits role. I’m generally one who appreciates a story with a (relatively) happy ending but not in this case. I’m not sure I would have necessarily liked the morals story as Blomkamp would tell it, but I certainly would have appreciated him trying rather than simply teasing.

But if I take a page out of his book and ignore those questions as well, as I mentioned before, Elysium is largely enjoyable, and something I might try to catch again in theatres again. There are several “holy-crap” moments, mostly involving gory death scenes, and incredible sound design that most home theatre enthusiasts won’t be able to truly appreciate. But, sadly, the flick isn’t enough to turn my opinion around on 2013 tent-pole films, which can really only be saved by Ender’s Game and Hunger Games: Catching Fire at this point.

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The commenting period for this contest has ended. Follow us on Twitter @CliqueClack for alerts on news, reviews and giveaways.

CliqueClack has partnered with Sony Pictures and Allied Integrated Marketing to send readers in the Baltimore, DC and Norfolk areas on a trip to Elysium. In the year 2154, two classes of people exist: the very wealthy, who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined planet. The people of Earth are desperate to escape the crime and poverty that is now rampant throughout the land. The only man with the chance to bring equality to these worlds is Max (Matt Damon), an ordinary guy in desperate need to get to Elysium. With his life hanging in the balance, he reluctantly takes on a dangerous mission — one that pits him against Elysium’s Secretary Delacourt (Jodie Foster) and her hard-line forces — but if he succeeds, he could save not only his own life, but millions of people on Earth as well. Elysium is directed by Neill Blomkamp (District 9).

The screenings will take place on Wednesday, August 7, 7:00 PM at the following locations:

• AMC Mazza, Washington, DC
• AMC White Marsh, Baltimore, MD
• Regal MacArthur, Norfolk, VA

A random drawing will be held on Sunday, August 4th. 25 winners for each location will win a unique GoFoBo.com code which is good for up to two Admit One passes. To enter the drawing, please read and follow the rules:

• Leave a comment with BALTIMORE, DC or NORFOLK as your choice of screening location. We do not need any other information except the city, please!
• ONE comment per person/email address/IP address. Duplicate comments will be discarded. CliqueClack reserves the right to disqualify any entries that appear to be duplicates.
• Commenting period runs from 10:00 AM, Thursday, August 1 – Noon, Sunday, August 4. Winners will be chosen at random.
• Winners will be notified by email on Sunday, August 4. A valid email address is required, so double check the spelling before entering. Any returned emails will be considered a disqualification and another winner will be drawn.
• Winners will receive a unique GoFoBo.com code to claim their passes. These codes can only be used for up to two Admit One passes.
• Winners should plan to arrive early at the theater. Passes do not guarantee you seats. CliqueClack has no control over the number of passes distributed and is not responsible for seating at the theater. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Have a look at the film’s official trailer, and let us know where you want to see Elysium! Elysium opens in theaters Friday, August 9th.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=QILNSgou5BY