An instant science-fiction classic

Rating: 9/10 (27 October 2009)

Neil Blomkamp's scifi representation of the African-Apartheid couldn't do a better job of mirroring humanity's dark side. While the slimy, dubious aliens serve as the focus of this mockumentary it is the capable abuse that humanity can inflict on itself and like-beings that is the thematic subject of the film, and Blomkamp does a wonderful job of displaying it in the most subtle manner.
While this film follows in a bit of the shaky-film line of docu-drama cinematography, the film stays coherent and the second half of the film could be taken as straight fiction with only minor interruptions in the action. The acting is excellently done by all the actors, with the distinctly dis-likable, flawed and yet pitifully sympathetic anti-hero Wikus Van de Merwe being well-played by Sharpto Copley. Wikus serves well to bring focus to the plot through his own perspective.
While there was plenty of drama and perhaps some well-played dark humor, the film was not short of action-packed scenes that escalated with ever-increasing tension and were amazingly represented by the most photo-realistic cg I've seen in some time. For example, the incredibly realistic looking aliens also carried uncanny human expression. I would imagine the large bulk of the film's small budget was spent on the cg.
Possibly among the most unique aspects of the film was its gripping ending that was genuinely heart-felt and disparate at the same time. Please don't miss out on this scifi-classic. (warning: the film has a fair share of gore, strong language and graphic violence).