MovieChat Forums > Sharlto Copley Discussion > Awful in Elysium

Awful in Elysium

posted 11 years ago by fletcbk
9 replies | jump to latest

He never really bothered me in District 9 or The A Team (although I thought he was perhaps overdoing it in both), but he's really bad in Elysium. He devours the scenery, goes completely over-the-top, and nearly wrecks the last third of the movie.

This film is supposed to be this really smart, relevant allegory and then here comes this rampaging villain to hijack the movie...I think the film would have been stronger if Neill Blomkamp hadn't made this such a large role. I mean, we barely get to know anything about the supposed actual villain of the movie: Jodie Foster.

I know most of you will disagree--the comments seem like this guy's the heir to Laurence Olivier or something, even though he's been in a handful of movies and wasn't that good in any of them except maybe District 9--and probably tear me to pieces in the comments, but he really is pretty bad in this.

[–] zeekmati 11 years ago

I agree. He went from a seemingly effective black ops agent thug to having some mad aspiration to take over elysium. I really like the film but he didn't make it great.

[–] ncnemesis 11 years ago

BULL *beep*
This is why many actors don't venture out and do different kinds of roles.

But then you also complain when they keep doing the typecast over and over

I believe he was brave in exploring another avenue besides the bumbling side kick

Not to mention HE WAS FREAKING BAD ASS AS THE ANTAGONIST

might be one of my top ten movie villains

[–] fodemo3 11 years ago

He was the only memorable character in Elysium.

[–] Sweet_and_Lowdown77 11 years ago

Your beef isn't with Sharlto, it's with Blomkamp.

He wrote the script and directed the film. He has the power to say "Too much" or "too over the top" or to simply rewrite the script to not feature him so much.

An actor makes choices, but the director can alter that choice and direct the performance.

[–] MightyViper 11 years ago

Kind of sounds to me like you might have a bit of a problem with the writing/directing as opposed to his performance. I mean...it's not as though the movie was going to end on some subtle allegorical point beautifully made and he just went NOPE RAMPAGING TIME. Those ingredients had to be there from the off.

Instead of just waiting for their turn to speak.
- Marla

[–] nsa006 11 years ago

Don't know who is to blame, but I fully agree with the sentiment. The character went from badass antagonist to "will someone please take him off the screen". It doesn't help the entire last third of the film was laughable and impossibly bad. Shame, because the first half, Sharlto included, was so very good.

[–] divisionbell-2 11 years ago

He was excellent in Elysium. Great movie overall, but this man absolutely shined.

[–] fannyalex123 11 years ago

Ikr! I think he's really amazing. He is just so charismatic that whatever role he plays, he turns into like a magnetic field and pulls the audience from their seat. I think he really did a great job playing kruger, at least it's not like the usual "serious type villain". With the over the top thing, maybe it's supposed to be like that. Who knows. Nonetheless, I love him as an actor and can't wait to see Oldboy.