Stories always had a great impact for civilizations. They are proofs of the past and inventions of the future. Today, the stories are transmitted through films and books, just like a long time ago they used to be transmitted orally. Sometimes stories bring to life things that we are afraid of: dystopias are a reflection of the fear the society feels towards an unknown future. Dystopias are a form of science-fiction.

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The philosophical ideas behind the science-fiction works with a concept of personal identity and with concepts like being human, the conscience and artificial intelligence, moral implications of a meeting with extra-terrestrial beings and transforming the future with the evolution of science and technology. What is common to all dystopias is the presence of a character coming from another medium, of restoration and emancipation. This character can be the human condition in what we might call post-humanity.

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Oblivion is another dystopian, post-apocalypse, cyberpunk SF which fits perfectly in this category through story, themes, motives, character, image and atmosphere. Jack Harper (Tom Cruise), the main character, is tormented from the beginning of the film by his memories that haunt his dreams. He asks himself whether they are real, if the memories define or not his identity. Still, he knows that his memory was erased after the war where the Earth was protected by invaders. He is skeptic and filled with uncertainties.

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The action takes place on Earth, in a post-apocalypse medium after the entire planet was destroyed by nuclear bombs. This is the medium where we find Jack whose mission is to take care of the remaining resources of the planet and to repair the drones (independent weapons). He lives in a tower, which is very typical for SF films, all made of windows. Gadgets are everywhere; it’s minimalist, but luxuriant.

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The film explores a very common idea in SF films: the human life can be recreated by scientists or can be manipulated by extra-terrestrial beings with superior scientific powers. The memory is very important here, as well as feelings and desires. Jack has a human body, but his memories have been erased. His obsessive flash-backs and his decision come from an emotional stubbornness. He doesn’t follow the rules and like this he finds out who is in charge of the new society and who he is.

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The survival and reproduction instinct are very well underlined: the NY hat, the book he “saves” in the middle of the fight, the flower he finds. There is a very touchy moment when he finds a hidden house with a windmill.

There are some moments where clichés are present. The moment when he remembers that the woman he saved in a fight is his wife, some lines seem very superficial:

“Are we gonna die?” the wife asks;

“No.” says Jack. (after several seconds) ”Maybe!”

The message is not far from all the messages of a SF: machinery is not a person’s best friend, they can turn against you and your feelings are basic to the human nature. And we shouldn’t forget that Oblivion is produced by Joseph Kosinski (Tron: Legacy), and he turns the image and special effects in a powerful weapon.

by Diana Vasile

Diana Vasile studies Audio-Video Communication at the National University of Theatre and Film. She likes writing since she was little (when she was 10 she wrote the sequel of Harry Potter, since she longed for it). The passion for film appeared when she was a teenager and melted into writing scripts. She is an autodidact in her spare time, but she loves parties, driving her car, cooking, cleaning and watching TV series.