Aliens Humanised

Rating: 9/10 (1 February 2011)

When done properly, no other genre has the kind of capacity to deal with heavy issues, and raise scary questions, as science fiction. In much the same way as the classic Blade Runner (1982) and more contemporary Moon (2009) have done before it, District 9 raises a whole host of ethical issues including discrimination through apartheid, xenophobia and a generally broadened perspective of what constitutes common humanity, all of which contribute to an exceptional final product.
In his first feature-length film, Sharlto Copley plays MNU employee Wikus van der Merwe. The organisation he works for is in control of District 9, a refugee camp housing a multitude of aliens (derogatorily referred to as 'prawns' by their human captors) after their ship landed on the outskirts of Johannesburg during the Cold War. While entering the compound to serve some creatures with an eviction notice and check for illegal activity, he is infected with a foreign substance that causes him to slowly mutate into a prawn. A wanted man in the eyes of every scientist and soldier, Wikus becomes an outcast on his own planet, and must find ways to survive until the procedure can be reversed.
This film does a great job of introducing and thoroughly developing a range of themes without becoming too preachy. It dosen't take much to recognise the parallels drawn between the mistreatment of the aliens in the beginning of the film and the similar life led by modern- day refugees and other races once seen to be inferior, particularly during the era of apartheid in South Africa.
The more significant and central theme is the way Wikus is forced to change his view of the creatures as he becomes more and more like them. Initially indifferent towards their plight, he is left with little choice but to abandon that way of thinking and turn against the very organisation he once worked for. Indeed, as corny as it may sound, he does not prove his qualities as a compassionate being until he fully develops into something physical inhuman, beautifully illustrated in the film's final shot.
One easily overlooked positive of District 9 is the impressive way in which it is shot. Opening with all the elements of a mockumentary (use of hand-held camera and informative sequences intercut with 'experts' offering their opinion regarding the state of the alien compound), it seamlessly merges into a more traditional style (invoking the proverbial fourth wall) when required. While working under MNU, we are given an inside look into just how Wikus earns a crust. But as he begins to morph, we are very much on the outer, no longer familiar with the happy-go-lucky individual we were introduced to, all to the credit of director Neill Blomkamp.
If I had to give this film one criticism, it would be the poor characterisation of the antagonist, a military officer with the task of capturing Wikus the fugitive. Virtually every line of dialogue he is given is painfully cliché, and in one instance his poor choice of words really dampens the intensity of what should have been a highly emotive scene. Regardless, Blomkamp delivers a film high on self-purpose, with a dash of social commentary for good measure. Never have I felt such anticipation for a possible sequel.
*There's nothing I love more than a bit of feedback, good or bad. So drop me a line on jnatsis@iprimus.com.au and let me know what you thought of my review.*