District 9

Rating: 10/10 (17 August 2009)

District 9 is one of the most original, thought provoking and entertaining science fiction films to come out in years. It has some of your usual traits of the genre such as aliens, spaceships, a futuristic and apocalyptic setting and gadgets and futuristic weapons. Also what it does have that many recent films of the genre, or many in general do not have is a gripping story and a social commentary message that goes along with it. Never before have I seen a film with a story that shows us humans as racist and intolerant towards alien visitors to this planet of ours. The aliens are sectioned off into poor and rundown areas and are then planned to be forced out of their homes and live in a compound of small tents continually guarded and monitored by human government agents. The aliens in this film are not evil invaders come to destroy us, but instead are here to make homes and raise their families. Because the humans are so intolerant and violent toward them, they want to leave home, but do not have the capabilities of doing so. The story also focuses on the one government worker named Wikus Van De Merwe who is sent to reassign these aliens to their new homes, but is later found himself on the run from his co-workers and the government because of corrupt and evil minds working beside him. Wikus's life is completely changed upside down. The film starts off with him as a mild mannered and sweet man, but as he is forced to defend for his life we see him change radically and do what needs to be done in order to survive. The transformation by both actor Sharlto Copley and the job done by the director and screenwriter are amazing. It's true human psychology and character development at it's best and the performance by Copley is amazing and will be sure to bring him Hollywood's attention and more roles for him in the future. The first half of the film and some of the last half is also done in a documentary type of style which I found to be an interesting way to tell the story and the whole film is shot in a realistic cinema verite style which I think works perfectly here to make you feel as if you are there and to give the film a look of authenticity. You have probably read my complaints on many films that go overboard with special effects and have little to nothing of a concrete story. Here we have a brilliant screenplay and while the special effects don't play a large role on the story, they are still here and are actually well done and do not take away from the real source of interest which is the characters and the situations they are in. I never thought I would be saying this about a science fiction film, but some of it feels like a documentary on some sort of news program dealing with poverty and social issues (although this time using aliens) as well as intolerance and racism as well as having action and the futuristic aspects as well. What a genius way of getting a message across and entertaining the viewer and leaving a lot to talk about after the film. A completely engrossing, sometimes disturbing and altogether unique concept that hammers home a message that is relatable to our times and probably will be for years to come. A brilliant achievement of film-making all around and one of this year's must see films and also one of the best. If the Academy Awards went out of their usual type of selected materials for Best Picture, this one would definitely hold a strong chance of being nominated, or maybe even winning. We can at least dream.