Thursday, Great Movies, 11:20pm
In 2013’s Elysium, director Neill Blomkamp delivers a dystopian thriller set in 2154, where the ultra-rich live luxuriously on a pristine space station, while the rest of humanity suffers in a ravaged, overpopulated Earth. Matt Damon stars as Max, a former car thief turned reluctant hero, determined to break into Elysium to save his own life and, inadvertently, level the playing field for the entire human race. While the film explores heavy themes of class warfare and corporate greed, it's all framed within the frenetic gunfire, sleek robots, and the odd exoskeleton. Think District 9 but with shinier CGI and a whole lot more Matt Damon.
The soundtrack, composed by Ryan Amon, hits the perfect balance of tension, grandeur, and action. Amon, making his film-scoring debut, crafted a sweeping score that melds electronic elements with a full orchestra. Tracks like "Fire Up The Shuttle" are pulse-pounding, propelling the film’s action sequences, while pieces such as "I’d Like Them Dead" weave in dark, ominous tones fitting for a dystopian Earth. Amon’s use of vocal chants adds a primal, human touch to the more synthetic sounds, echoing the desperation of Earth’s inhabitants in contrast to the sterile serenity of Elysium’s privileged utopia. If you’re a fan of Hans Zimmer's Inception soundtrack, you’ll feel quite at home here, though perhaps a tad more dystopian.
For collectors, the soundtrack’s initial digital release was soon followed by a limited-edition vinyl pressing. This is where things get juicy. It’s one of those pieces where the vinyl itself is a work of art, with the metallic, industrial artwork reflecting the film’s themes beautifully. You might struggle to find it now without selling an organ or two, but if you can get your hands on it, you’ll own a piece of modern sci-fi soundtrack history. Amon may not be a household name (yet), but Elysium certainly put him on the map in the world of film scores.
- Paul Allen