District 9 is modern science-fiction masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (14 December 2015)

In his directorial debut, Neill Bloomkamp grips audiences with pure realism, and themes of racism, poverty, and dystopianism; and takes it in a whole another direction with this gritty and powerful science-fiction masterpiece. Partially shot in documentary style (not in a found-footage kinda way), this movie takes a place in a world where aliens have inhabited Earth, and are living in poverty as refugees in a shoddy village in an rural South African area enclosed by the military. Society has shown disapproval for the aliens' residence, and have ignited genocide and brutality against the aliens. Sharlto Copley plays government agent Wikus Van De Merew, who is exposed a hazardous alien chemical that causes him to transform into half- human, half-alien. With the military out to kill him, and his family distant from him; Wikus takes shelter at the village populated by the aliens, where he must defend himself and the aliens from the military.
Neill Bloomkamp has a great visionary for storytelling and visual effects, and this film succeeds greatly at demonstrating it. This film mixes themes of racism and poverty, common issues that third- world countries face today, and adds a science-fiction touch to it. With the plot revolving around aliens growing up in a dystopian society and living in a slum-like villages where humans show hostility against the alien race, the film tackles many topics that would have viewers raising questions about society today. The first twenty minutes or so are quite distressing to watch as viewers are demonstrated how the aliens are harshly mistreated, and these scenes really set the tone of the film. Xenophobia also plays a major role in the plot as well. The military shows brutality against the aliens because they found them to be a threat to society, and do not feel safe in their residence. From there on, the film progresses through a fantastically written storyline. There is never a dull moment left here. The director just masters the film with an extraordinary script and expresses something original and thought-provoking. He handles the subject matter in such a dark and gritty manner, and knows how the keep the story alive for the entire time.
The visual effects add greatly to the realism of the film. Prized with stellar visual effects and stunning cinematography, the battle scenes taking place during the final half-hour are eye-popping and entertaining to watch. The excessive violence, dismemberment and the gory-heavy results of the battles are enough to sicken some viewers; but those are tough enough to stomach the graphic aftermath of the scenes are in for a wild ride. Sharlto Copley shows off amazing acting in these scenes that, and feels so natural as his character. The overall quality of these scenes should very little, if any, sort of disappointment.
District 9 shines as a modern science-fiction masterpiece of its decade, and is a pure demonstration of what director Neill Bloomkamp is capable of. This film is very powerful, realistic, and raises a lot of question for viewers to ask. District 9 is simply a must- watch film.