Oblivion ***½

Joseph Kosinski directed this Sci-Fi Adventure. Watch Preview. Cast: Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Olga Kurylenko, Andrea Riseborough, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Melissa Leo. Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, brief strong language, and some sensuality/nudity. Running time is two hours and six minutes.

On a future Earth that has evolved beyond recognition, a drone repairman's (Cruise) confrontation with the past will lead him on a journey of discovery as he battles to save mankind.

Sci-Fi fans should find this very enjoyable while those who aren't in that category are likely to be confused. Production values are first rate and while it's a little longer than I normally like the pacing didn't seem to suffer. This is Cruise's pic all the way. The actresses are definitely subordinate and Freeman isn't integral for that long. I've read some complaints about the voice-over prologue but it's important to the story since it tells you what Cruise's character thinks is the truth. You'll want to pay careful attention to the last twenty minutes if you're to have any chance of understanding what's really happened. The ending makes perfect sense only when you have that understanding. I saw this in the IMAX presentation and think it made a decided difference in the film's visual impact.

There are no additional scenes once the final credits begin. The largest screen possible is recommended. Theatres/Times. IMAX Times.