Sure it's a SciFi film, yet it has little in common with the typical movie we are used to,

Rating: 8/10 (15 August 2009)

After reading favorable reviews I dragged my wife to the nearest movie theater for the 2nd day of introduction. Well... this movie started out as a documentary with shaky hand-held cameras and then takes off in a complete other direction. It starts with the main star Wikus having been selected by his father in law to head the group that is to relocate aliens that landed in the area about 20 years before and are now undesirable and must be forced to move away. Wikus is a by the book type of person and does his best to retain his composure as the man that does the job. He is accompanied by men with guns that are to enforce and protect him from any aliens that don't behave. Wikus comes across as a nice guy, a bit naive and somewhat dorky and certainly not a hunk. As the movie progresses we are shown how the confined aliens are mistreated by the humans. It somewhat parallels the treating of the black citizens by whites years before and that is not well. Wikus gets into deeper trouble with the aliens and then his own people throughout the film and without divulging the plot suffice it to say he's got his Hand full. I don't know how he understood the weird gibberish the aliens uttered, but without his perception and interpretation,the movie could not function as it did. The aliens are really nothing we can identify with as humans. Let's say they are every bit as handsome as the Predator character, once he removed his mask. I do not recommend eating shrimps during this movie. As a matter of fact it reminds me of Gallagher, the physical comedian, where fruits and vegetables flew towards the audience during the show,...here we have other parts flying. I never understood how the aliens built what they had, because with their claw hands they couldn't even hold a cigarette. The film is certainly fast paced and keeps one entertained throughout. The sound and stereo is phenomenal and in our theater it was somewhat loud, yet that depends were one attends. The graphics are realistic and that gives credibility to the whole genre. The actor that portrays Wikus is in almost every scene and carries the movie. His performance in my humble opinions deserves recognition. As for the other actors I can't identify them - for they are unknowns... at least here in the US and that eliminates any distractions. For a budget of $30 million it is quite a film. I recommend seeing this for any and all that appreciate a good Sfi-Fi film with the exception of younger children because of them being exposed to the excessive violence.