The best and most original sci-fi masterpiece of this millennium

Rating: 10/10 (17 July 2010)

'District 9' comes across as a sci-fi drama which is highly realistic in nature, mainly considering the basic backdrop, being Johannesburg, and not the usual Manhattan, Washington, etc. The writer/director Neil Blomkamp set out to create a film about the differences in social awareness within different communities. In this case, he has well presented the race issue in Africa, metaphorically represented by the 'prawns'(blacks) and humans(whites).
Technically, the movie is a delight. The camera-work and editing, used for the unique documentary look, were perfect. The special effects blended with real backgrounds created an amalgam which is highly praiseworthy. The story is very fresh and the screenplay is highly engaging due to a great pace. The character development couldn't have been better. All the actors did their home-work quite well for the authentic output. But, of course, the pick of the lot, is the central character, Wikus Van De Merwe, played brilliantly by débutant Sharlto Copley. He makes the viewer feel the pain and anguish that he suffers during the 'transformation'.
Overall, it was a terrific movie-going experience. The audiences will be eagerly waiting for Blomkamp's next venture, especially the sequel. I would place this film in my 'Top 10 sci-fi films of all time' list with 'The Matrix', 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day', 'Blade Runner', 'Avatar', 'WALL·E', 'E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial', 'Alien', '2001: A Space Odyssey'and 'Inception'.