Refreshing take on human-alien cohabitation

Rating: 8/10 (30 August 2009)

How refreshing. A smart original sci-fi movie that's not a remake, a sequel or based on anything already existing such as a toy-line. Even better, not only is it suspenseful and unpredictable, it makes you think and serves its fair share of social commentary without hitting you over the head with it. In short, the aliens are here, arrived 20 years ago, but they're not like anything we expected (more like animalistic shrimp-insectoid hybrids) and they're living in a slum in South Africa the nice humans built for them because the aliens couldn't survive on the big giant spaceship that brought them here, nor could they leave Earth. The story is at first told in a faux documentary fashion before becoming more traditional later on yet always quite dynamic. It's amazing to me that this was made by a first-time movie director considering the talent shown.
The human cast is unknown, at least in America, so it helps suspension of disbelief and they're good but nowhere near the highlight of the guy playing Wikus (somewhat resembling Christian Bale), the functionary put in charge of relocating the aliens far away from the city. I particularly liked the character development of Wikus and how our perceptions of the aliens change as we go along. I also liked the twists and turns foisted upon us. However, I did not like a particularly stupid decision made by Wikus, under emotional duress to be fair, that at the time seemed only there to create conflict and delay the end of the movie. I think the story is partly so good because in similar circumstances, the reactions of the involved parties could be very much like this.
The aliens were extremely well done in terms of looks and movements. It's a thought-provoking movie but it has lots of thrilling action especially in the last part. There are also some gory moments but they're over quickly. The location of the story, South Africa, is brilliant because of all the associations with Appartheid, disinformation and racism. I would say that right now District 9 is overrated on Internet Movie Database but I think it's because people were anxiously waiting for a great original sci-fi movie with some substance. It's certainly not in the top 50 movies of all time but it's probably the best sci-fi movie I've seen in 2009. With a much lower budget, it beats most American blockbusters in terms of enjoyment and satisfaction.
Rating: 8 out of 10