History has taught us not to expect too much in the way of intelligence or creativity when it comes to summer blockbusters – particularly those about aliens coming to earth. Yet somehow, first time feature director Neil Blomkamp has managed to make a film that is both.
District 9 Plot
Set in current day Johannesburg, District 9 is a multi-layered sci-fi flick that chronicles what happens when a group of stranded alien refugees is "helped" by the human race. When the alien ship is left hovering over the South African city, the humans decide to check things out and find out what's going on. To their surprise they find a ship full of aliens: dehydrated, starving, and desperately in need of their help. The humans feel that they must do the right thing and help, but with a few strict conditions.
Given the film's South African setting it's hard to ignore the intrinsic comparisons to apartheid, or any culture or group that so blatantly excludes another. But despite the moral message, this is not solely a political film. While the first half sets up the political agenda beautifully, the second turns into a man-on-the-run/shoot-'em-up caper with plenty of blood and gore. Call it a thinking man's action movie (yes, such a thing does exist).
District 9 Format
Blomkamp tells the story in a documentary style - mixing news footage, home movies, a corporate promotional film, and interviews - to establish an air of legitimacy that makes the story alarmingly realistic and believable.
As the story's hero Wikus, Sharlto Copley is perfectly charming in his feature-acting debut. Slightly clueless, yet surprisingly resilient, Wikus goes from enthusiastic evictor of the aliens (or "prawns" as they're demeaningly known) to understanding sympathizer. To explain why would ruin the story, but rest assured, Sci-Fi fans won't be disappointed.
The visual effects are impressive, particularly since they were done for a measly $30 million. Filmmakers who spend hundreds of millions per movie would be wise to take a cue from District 9.
District 9 DVD
Featurettes included in the 2-disc DVD examine how the impressive special effects were created. Also included are a director's commentary, 3-part documentary "The Alien Agenda" and more. DVD and Blu-ray will be available Dec 29th, 2009.
District 9 is a genuinely original and exciting science fiction movie that makes a case for intelligent life existing somewhere out there. What isn't so clear is whether or not there's any down here.
- District 9
- Directed by: Neill Blomkamp
- Written by: Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
- Starring: Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, Nathalie Boltt, William Allen Young, Sylvaine Strike
- Runtime: 112 mins.
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