Movie Review for District 9
Neill Blomkamp and Peter Jackson Take Audiences Out of This World
In Johannesburg South Africa aliens have been stranded since the early 1980s, their ship left hovering over the city. Now, the population of insectoid creatures is living in a slum meant to contain them and keep the general population of Johannesburg safe.
District 9 & MNU
The corporation Multinational United (MNU) that controls security and communication for the aliens prepares an exodus of the population to a new camp some 200 km outside Johannesburg. The naïve son-in-law of MNU’s president is tasked with overseeing the eviction and re-habitation of the non-humans. Wikus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copley) jumps into his new position whole heartedly knocking on doors in District 9 to prepare the aliens for their move.
While searching through the decrepit shacks Wikus comes upon a canister containing a mystery fluid that the aliens have been collecting. After an incident with the liquid Wikus begins to experience a change. He experiences not only an altered DNA but also a deeply altered state of mind and finds a new camaraderie with the non-human captives of District 9.
Neill Blomkamp’s Breakout Hit
With the integral help of Peter Jackson, of The Lord of the Rings movie fame, Neill Blomkamp leapt from the shadows of feature film making onto big screens around the world. The idea for District 9 stemmed from a short film entitled Alive in Joburg that Blomkamp created in 2005. Centering on the tension between aliens and humans coexisting in Johannesburg, Alive in Joburg showed at the Cannes Film Festival.
The camera work is meant to bring audiences in with a style that reflects a war correspondent running through a battle. The often-jarring cinematography makes viewers feel like they are on the edge of the action following lead man Sharlto Copley through the shantytown that is District 9.
Unlike many Hollywood movies that needlessly explain every detail of a film to viewers District 9 leaves unanswered questions and room for theorizing. Coming to the end of the film the possibility for a sequel has been left open as Wikus’ humanity hangs in the balance.
The Making of District 9
A menagerie of South African players that are all virtually unknown to the rest of the world comprise the cast of District 9. Sharlto Copley heads the group as the lead man around which the film comes together. The script and storyline are believable and the performance of the actors seems raw and emotionally charged. Though much of District 9 is created from special effects at no point is there falseness to the alien characters, their surroundings or their vessel.
District 9 is an easily fathomable science fiction that connects with audiences. Viewers around the world are giving this film rave reviews. The movie could have easily been overlooked because of the lack of star power both in front of the camera and behind the scenes but it has turned into the sleeper hit of the summer.
· District 9
· Starring: Sharlto Copley
· Written by: Neill Bomkamp and Terri Tatchell
· Directed by: Neill Blomkamp
· Running time: 112 Minutes
· Rated: R
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