A must-see movie; a real surprise for the adventurous movie watcher

Rating: 9/10 (7 October 2009)

I love movies like this: I knew nothing about it before I sat down to watch (I never read a DVD cover synopsis, preferring instead to allow the director to tell his story; and I hadn't read anything about District 9)and the movie proved to be an absolute delight.
Shot in a grainy, hand-held camera, documentary style, this movie (set in South Africa) introduces many interesting and fresh features compared to Hollywood's rather stale handling of alien action films.
With its unique story line; rough editing; sometimes indistinct audio (the South African accents are not always easy to grasp - and even the aliens don't speak English!), viewers have to engage and stick with the flow so as not to miss anything. But, for me, all that just added to the pleasure of the experience.
The movie also has interesting sub-messages: comparisons with the apartheid times and reminders of classes of citizenship; the shanty towns in Soweto; issues and infringement of human(or rather alien) rights); likely emotional attitude/fears towards aliens on earth; man's failure to harness advanced technology; and alien/human inter-breading and social order. (I may have missed one or two).
But hold on - don't let the last paragraph turn you away. This movie is absolutely enjoyable without ever consciously thinking about any of that. The story is very strong - just as a story in itself.
Also strong, as a warning, is some of the action, which is graphic in places. But, frankly, I never felt out of my comfort-zone (and I abhor extreme/unnecessary violence/foul language on the screen).
I didn't know any of the actors (which also I like in movies) and the acting was totally believable. As for the special effects - Superb, without being over-the-top. The aliens looked as if they were just standing around like you and me. I take my hat off to the technical team.
Little to say thats negative about this movie. It won't suit everyone, but actually the crazy mix of story, rough shooting, effects and message gives it a wider audience than your average action-packed adventure.
My recommendation - watch it!