Real or Fantasy?

Rating: 10/10 (14 August 2009)

Right off the bat, let me tell you this movie is not for everyone. One couple who had come in loaded with food ended up walking out of the theater within the first ten minutes. If you're a person who squeamish over insects or light gore, don't go. If you're a person who has a vivid imagination to the point where the line between reality and fiction often blurs for you, don't go. If you don't like militant strong arms or thugs running profiting from the running of slums, don't go.
What this movie is, is a very fresh perspective on sci fi and on movie making -- something Hollywood badly needs! This movie is fiction (at least I assume it is -- :) ), but it is presented like a docu-drama. It begins as if it's something real which is happening in Africa today, and we're seeing real footage of the action. It gradually turns into the third person perspective where we're overseeing the events, and then it wraps up with the final moments of the docu-drama.
Overall, it's an excellent movie! I give it a 10 of 10! It's fresh, it depicts many elements of reality (if you read into the overtones) while using fantasy to do so. There's plenty of action, a moderate amount of gore (both human and alien), an abundance of inhumanity to other living creatures, and lots of swearing, but it's also a happy story of sorts. Interestingly, the story doesn't completely resolve (true of any real-life situation).
My fifteen year old son and I watched it and very much enjoyed it, but I'm glad my wife wasn't there because she likely would not have enjoyed it. I would probably see it again in the theater if I have time, and I recommend it to all (who don't fall into the exclusion clauses above).
Happy movie-going!