A Stunningly Fresh Take On Aliens Inhabiting Earth!

Rating: 9/10 (5 September 2009)

First, it needs to be said that this is a science fiction movie that is uniformly excellent. Neil Blomkamp deserves much praise for originality in writing and directing. Beyond that, Sharlto Copley's acting stole the show, depicting character Wilkus Van De Merwe like a Steve Carell (The Office's Michael Scott) geek-ed up on Starbuck's and more!
If the story isn't exactly new, aliens coming to earth and living among humans, every other detail screams inventiveness...From the beginning where the amazing gross, but intricate creatures are saved from dying inside their ship to the ending where the government's "Fortune 500 Army" stages a no holds barred attempt to kill Wilkus Van De Merwe, you never feel less than rapt by the telling of the conflict you know is bound to happen. Though never overtly a political movie, there's a lot of social commentary that provides an undercurrent regarding greed and war.
This alien movie, when held to a broad assortment of standards, simply shines. As already noted there is a really good storyline-the one must from which everything else springs from. The style of the movie, a shifting between a documentary like film record of the events to the normal third person aspect of "looking-in" that we are more comfortable with, seems, to me, as a perfect way to pull the viewer in fast. The special effects, in particular the amazing detailed aliens who we have never seen the likes of, are a tour-de-force...they are strangely gross and compelling-never being reduced to any kind of campiness. Amazingly well conceived and realized! The real "ace-in-the-hole" is the portrayal of Wilkus Van De Merwe by Sharlto Copley. At first you think of him an annoying nerdy geek and in short order you become very invested in both his character and his plight. Copley's deft acting works in a way not unlike Don Knott's portrayal of Barney Fife as it almost steals the show from everyone and everything else, his role makes the whole story cohere because you are feel empathy for his character and root for his ultimate survival. He may still be a geek underneath it all, but his transformation from milk-toast Mr. Rogers type nerd to a justice seeking "Arnold-like Terminator" is the movies single most brilliant vehicle.
District 9, to me, is an instant classic science fiction alien tale. It starts by grabbing your attention and wastes not a frame in building its story slowly gathering speed and urgency. Most science fiction, as well as a large number of other genre, movies blow it with a wham-bam quick "tie-it-up" maximum shock ending that tastes bad and leaves the viewer cold. Not this one...District 9 ends in a worthy fashion that satisfies and still leaves the door open for almost anything in a sequel. This could be the start of another great science fiction franchise. I recommend it to sci-fi fans without any reservations and give it a 8.5! Excellent!