Get yourself as many tins of cat food to see this sensational gem!

Rating: 10/10 (12 April 2012)

Please don't be put off by the fact that this is a sci-fi film about aliens. Of course if you do happen to be a complete sci-fi boff then you won't need telling twice to go down and see this, because you've probably spent your whole life trying to find that next great alien invasion films. And here it is. But, I hate sci-fi films, especially those with stupid aliens in them because you just can't take them seriously. Alien films are often a load of rubbish as well unless you're looking at family-orientated ones like "ET" or "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". But, adult alien films (don't!) are often bad or just don't get it right like "Signs" which turned out to be really naff. So when I heard the hype surrounding "District 9" I looked at the trailer and thought, "This looks like complete tripe!" But when I saw it Asda for a fiver, all I could see was the raving reviews from pretty much everybody! Even Chris Tookey and Chutch claimed to adore it, so in the basket it went.
I wasn't expecting much, but what I did get was something phenomenal. I've now seen it three times and each time it's still managed to leave me breathless. "District 9" isn't your ordinary alien invasion film, or at least it doesn't seem like it. It's a complete masterpiece from start to finish. Neil (the director) plunges you straight into this alien world from the very first frame and its impossible not to get seduced by it. Everything's told using a "mouckumentary" if you like, and it's really clever and sometimes weirdly believable. Maybe, it's because of the fantastic parallels concerning today's society and apartheid? The opening comes thick and fast and immediately grabs the viewer and pulls them in to the world of Johannesburg but not as we know it. I think that truly great films should make the viewer fell like they're their and not actually watching something on the telly. Films like "Black Swan" and "The Artist" have done this to me, and also "District 9".
The film also seamlessly transitions from a sort of found-footage stroke "mouckumentary" and actual film. I suppose you could sort of look at the camera crew following the main character, Wikus, as a metaphor, of the humans seeing the aliens through lenses that aren't don't show the aliens truthfully, then when we're transported into the world we see what is really happening with the aliens, and we get the frustrating truth. It's a film that "Avatar" wanted to be, only "District 9" is one hundred million times better than "Avatar"! It explores themes about apartheid and treating people right without shoving it down your throat in a patronising way. It's extremely poignant and handled beautifully. When Wikus ends up becoming friends with one of the aliens it's extremely touching and you end up caring for both of them.
That's another great thing about "District 9" it has fantastic characters. I'm sure if this got a Hollywood re-do then they would make the character of Wikus as someone who has no flaws, a bit like the paraplegic man in "Avatar". Some sort of hero who knows exactly what he's doing. Whereas here, Wikus is the definition of a lovable tw*t. He isn't at all perfect but he has such a kind heart and is good-natured. It's only until he knows how it feels to be an outsider that he really starts to understand these aliens. He's a complete idiot and the film does have some really funny moments, although it does help with him having a south-African accent as some how everything they say just sounds so much funnier! The aliens are also in most aspects, more human than the humans, and you really want them to succeed, especially with that incredibly adorable baby alien!
"District 9" is not just only superbly written but also fabulously directed. It's fast-paced and the final third or so of the film is just complete non-stop exciting action that is just handled beautifully. Oh, and I'm not talking stupid, pointless action where the director decides that it would be better to just blow up something to make it look cooler (hello Michael Bay). No, this is action with a point. The characters have a motive and its a motive that you really want them to succeed with. It's breath-taking to watch and the special effects are literally out of this world! It's like the end of "Avatar" only much more exciting because the characters are so much more likable (and some appropriately unlikable). It also manages to take itself seriously without making it look ridiculous. That might be because it managed to poke fun at itself at the start which was also refreshing to see. It's brilliant.
So whatever your view is on aliens, get down to your nearest supermarket (or maybe there's a nice cheap one on "Amazon" or "Ebay"!) and buy it! Because this isn't just a film about aliens, it's a film about people and I think that's the point. You see the aliens and think "Oh god, here we go!" but as the film goes on you see them as people too. The cinematography is also sometimes breath-taking, especially with those iconic shots of that incredible mothership, which really must've been a spectacle to see at the cinema! "District 9" is a shot of adrenaline, straight into the heart and I didn't want it end.