If District 9 used science fiction to dissect racism, Elysium does the same with class. The year is 2154, and our world has become an overpopulated hell-hole, unfit for the tender sensibilities of the rich, who have decamped to a gigantic space station in near-Earth orbit named after the paradise of Greek mythology.

Everybody is in the DNA database and coded as an Elysium-dwelling citizen or a non-citizen. The privileges of citizenship, in addition to clean air and water, are access to medical pods that can cure any ailment known to humankind. Non-citizens are, should they get past the shoot-to-kill agents of Homeland Security and arrive on Elysium, “illegal immigrants.” Sound familiar?

This state of affairs offers endless answers to the question, “What could possibly go wrong?” Without giving away the details of how things fall apart intentionally and otherwise, I’ll say that Blomkamp delivers enough whiz-bang action and CGI slathered over top-notch acting by both the stars and the supporting cast, that I’ll venture to guess Elysium will stand out in the Summer of Duds.

I found myself imagining the arguments I’ll have with my conservative friends, because I’m sure they will see it.