Science Fiction Matserpiece

Rating: 9/10 (5 May 2011)

The first genuine science fiction masterpiece I have seen, as many critics have already said, District 9 really is the unsung hero of our time. With Avatar having stolen the sci-fi hot spot, while it is still a brilliant movie, Peter Jackson's District 9 is in every way a superior film.
The first half of the film incorporates an extremely realistic documentary-like feel, all about the fact that aliens have taken refuge on earth for many years. The second half is more focused on the main protagonists, Wikus and Christopher Johnson, but retains a realistic feel and has a larger emotional feel. Despite this divide in the style of the film, it all felt natural and the documentary-style was done seriously and added to the suspense of the main plot, creating a unique kind of film I have never seen before. It adds a grittiness to the world of the film, even to the point where I believed the events of the film were very possible.
The story itself is outstanding. Peter Jackson intended to show human beings in a truthful light. Upon their arrival on earth, rather than giving the aliens temporary shelter and help them leave the planet, as humans would the government became obsessed with alien technology and intended to harness their superior weaponry for warfare. As for the aliens, or 'prawns' as they are nicknamed, they were given relatively comfortable homes for several years. But the story opens with Wikus (the protagonist) being assigned to evict the prawns from District 9, into a concentration-camp-like area where the prawns would be isolated from humans. Harsh? Oh yes, and the events of the film kick off from here. Iwon't reveal anything as it really is a film you have to experience, but the pacing of the film finally picks up as the main story begins. The story tackles the issues of corruption, trust, betrayal and cruelty as well as the emotional struggle Wikus is forced to deal with. I loved the fact that the second protagonist is a prawn named Christopher, as well as his young son, who have been planning something for a long time.
As for the special effects, the film truly is perfect. The prawns are 100 per cent convincing as creatures, as well as the technology and prawn space craft. With some beautiful shots of South Africa, District 9 is in the shadow of Avatar. It deserves to be in the light.