An original premise for a Summer film

Rating: 7/10 (14 August 2009)

This summer has been filled with sequels (Transformers, Harry Potter, etc.) and remakes of old favorites (Star Trek). The best thing going for District 9 is it's originality. I was excited to see this film for that very reason. Something not usually seen in the summer blockbuster. A story with more to offer then a big budget. And I wasn't disappointed.
District 9 is the story about refugee aliens who land in Johannesburg, South Africa, much to the dismay of the locals. A concentration camp is built outside of the city to please the humans. Wikus Van De Merwe, played with reckless abandon by first timer Sharlto Copley, is a member of the MNU, the Multi-National United, the organization trying to use their technology, mostly their weaponry. He tags along as they begin to move the aliens to their new home, in order to discover more secrets. What he finds is a canister filled with a mysterious fluid. After accidentally spraying himself with it, he begins to change into something "different."
Saying anything else would give away to much. The fun of this film is not knowing too much about it. I can tell you that it does earn it's R rating. The violence is relentless, especially in the climactic finish. And the film drops more F bombs than a Martin Scorcese film, almost. But in a film like this, it should be expected. The only flaw in the film is it's different styles. The opening of the film is almost entirely done documentary style. Then it plays out like a Sci-Fi film. Throughout the movie, the film switches film an action style to "real" footage from security cameras. It distracts from the experience.
Overall, the film delivers. The premise is without a doubt the most original of the year. Copley is excellent. And the look of the film is great, better then most big-budget films out today (The film only cost 30 million to make). This is certainly worth a look. Don't miss it.