Elegant, sleek, and more than a little generic.
What Works: This may be the first post-apocalyptic movie to ever be called “cozy.” There’s a relaxed, leisurely rhythm that goes perfectly with the very hi-tech style (just wait until you see what the actual villains are…to call them non-terrifying would be understating it). Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman do what they can with roles they’ve played dozens of times before (hero and wise old guy, respectively).
What Doesn’t Work: What Oblivion has in high-pedigree it lacks in visceral thrills. The climactic action scenes look like video games and no one (including the audience) sweats much. Plus, there’s a “been there, disparaged that” feel to such a rote apocalypse movie.
What I Would Have Done Differently: Been Tom Cruise and picked a different script to get made as my next big tentpole picture.