A refreshing movie

Rating: 9/10 (13 September 2009)

There are few genres in film that have become as stale as sci-fi. It usually a go to when the producers want to make a cheap action movie, a snide social commentary or make a nonsensical make sense. It has become riddled with clichés and over all bad story telling.
While District 9 seemed unique, I was quite confident that it was to be a usual alien invasion movie: peaceful aliens pushed to the breaking point, cowardly protagonist becomes macho hero, and all is well as the aliens sail off into the sunset.
This could not be further from the truth. When discussing the movie with my friend afterward, I could not think of one major sci-fi cliché that was used in this movie. This is a truly original work, possibly the first brilliant entry in what I hope is a long and prosperous career for Mr. Blomkamp.
This was not the perfect movie, by any stretch of the imagination. But, while one could nitpick things here and there, this is overall a modern sci-fi classic.
District 9 is a compelling, original and gracefully made film that will stand the test of time.