The reawakening of science fiction

Rating: 9/10 (23 September 2009)

In a plan to transport aliens to a safer environment in Johannesburg, Wikus Van Der Merwe (Copley) sees what life for the aliens is really like.
James Cameron's return later this year with Avatar is the most anticipated release of the year as we see science fiction fantasy taken to a breath taken new level in HD 3D. Undoubtedly it will sell the tickets and be a smash and many said it would be unchallenged as sci-fi of the year. After seeing District 9, I'm not so sure.
Neill Blomkamp's production is a smart blend of the extra terrestrial with real life. It is a refreshing spark of life in the face of a film genre that has been lost somewhat since the 80s. Since the emphatic Star Wars, Blade Runner and Aliens we have seen loose gimmicks and poorly shot releases. Now the tables have turned and once more the science fiction concept of the other world has revitalized its sleeping audience.
We open with interviews recalling events of the transportation and discussing the motives of the government agent Van Der Merwe. This is all shot on your low quality cameras, which establish a feel of realism for the mood of the build up. We are then moved right to the centre of controversy as we see the agent going about his business, discussing with the camera his intentions. All of this has a fantastic new edge. A documentary style presentation that has I'm pretty sure never been attempted for a film with aliens. It is a complete fish out of the water, a revitalising revelation that should happen more frequently in cinema. My words do this an injustice because unless you see District 9, you won't believe how brilliant it really is.
As the film moves up a notch with its intention of transporting the aliens to a safer environment the emotional core of this screenplay starts to bubble. We see the heavy-handed approach by the government demanding a signature by each individual alien as an act of cooperation and the disgusting nature of the language the way we humans are treating the non human residents. The sad conclusion is that this film is about inhumane humans. The script is so convincing at portraying the aliens as kind emotional creatures and likewise portraying humans as uncaring animals. The dramatic incident involving the central character changes the whole perception of the relationship between humans and aliens, and therein we have our core. A powerful government building break in, a gasping chase to survive and some sharp action come the end provides the ultimate knockout for the eventuality.
There are a few minor complexions with this picture in that the alien scripting and sounds are perhaps too other worldly. Not to forget the ultimate climax between Van Der Merwe and the main alien is sadly conventional film making.
Nevertheless these factors are forgotten in the grand scheme as Blomkamp will shock us all with his astonishing new adaptation of a new feel to sci-fi