When the "Mission: Impossible" franchise graces the big screen once more, Tom Cruise invariably receives a significant boost to his already towering Hollywood stature. This is especially true with this year's installment, "Final Reckoning," which promises to bring the decades-spanning saga to its crescendo. Consequently, it comes as little surprise that the previous "M:I" entry, "Dead Reckoning," has surged back up the streaming charts, currently holding the number-two spot for movies on Prime Video at the time of writing.
What may astonish you, however, is that "Dead Reckoning" isn't even the highest-ranked Cruise film on that list. That esteemed position belongs to "Oblivion," a 2013 science fiction gem that largely flew under the radar upon its release. It's a visually captivating, tightly focused movie with an intimate cast—a type of film that today often bypasses theatrical releases and heads straight to streaming platforms. Yet, "Oblivion" reigns supreme as the number-one movie currently streaming on Prime Video, according to FlixPatrol, perhaps buoyed by the fact that many Tom Cruise aficionados have yet to experience it.
Notably, "Oblivion" was directed by Joseph Kosinski, marking his second feature film following the success of 2010's "Tron: Legacy." This was long before he cemented his status in Hollywood through his collaboration with Cruise on "Top Gun: Maverick." The supporting cast features illustrious names such as Morgan Freeman, Olga Kurylenko, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative.
The storyline of "Oblivion" centers around Jack Harper, portrayed by Cruise, a technician operating on a largely desolate Earth in the year 2077. In 2017, aliens launched an assault on the planet but were ultimately repelled, leaving Earth ravaged. Most of humanity fled to Titan, one of Saturn's moons, establishing a massive colony ship orbiting Earth. This vessel is powered by generators extracting the remaining natural resources from the Earth, and Harper's duty is to maintain these machines to ensure humanity's survival.
As the premise suggests, "Oblivion" is a relatively tranquil film, offering a profound exploration of the breathtaking yet haunting landscapes of an abandoned Earth. However, all is not as it appears. Harper soon finds himself entangled in a conspiracy involving fabricated memories, hidden human survivors, and a stunning dragonfly-inspired spacecraft (a design masterpiece that stands the test of time).
In 2013, "Oblivion" garnered lukewarm reviews and failed to set box office records. It was the kind of mid-tier genre piece that was once commonplace. On a personal note, "Oblivion" holds a special place in my heart as it was the subject of the very first movie review I ever published online. Though the site hosting that review has since vanished into the digital ether, I vividly recall awarding it three out of five stars, finding it commendable at the time!
If this piques your interest, join the growing ranks of viewers flocking to "Oblivion" and immerse yourself in its world via Prime Video.
