A Different Type of Sci-Fi

Rating: Null/10 (6 March 2010)

District 9 (2009)
*** (out of 4)
A sci-fi film with brains is somewhat rare especially when it's released during the Summer Blockbuster era but this one here actually works on both the brains and action. In 1982 a spaceship comes to Earth and hovers over South Africa. Over the years the aliens take refuge in District 9, which becomes a run down slum so a group (MNU) goes in to evict them but soon the main guy (Sharlto Copley) is facing tensions from both sides as well as himself beginning to change. I really wasn't sure what to expect from this film but it turned to be rather impressive, although I'd stop well short of calling it some sort of masterpiece. I think the film does manage to bring its political message without being too preachy and I enjoyed the fact that the alien race pretty much fills in for countless races that could have been used in a non sci-fi film. I also liked the fact that these aliens didn't attack New York, Chicago or various other large cities as we quite often see. Setting the film in South Africa makes for a certain look and atmosphere that the movie picks up and runs with. The scenes of the ghetto filth the aliens live in can certainly be viewed a couple different ways as could all the angry hatred being thrown at them. For the most part this movie tries to thrill you with its smart writing, although you know you're going to have to eventually get to the action. When the action does come it's quite impressive in its over-the-top, gory nature that has countless bodies being blown up and other carnage. The film also has a rather dark sense of humor that comes across quite well. The CGI effects are never overbearing and they never take center stage over the story, which is a major plus as is the fact that the overall look of the film is very impressive and realistic. I think another strong aspect of the story is the fact that we can believe everything we're seeing. Performances aren't too bad, the direction very solid and we get a nice music score. A very impressive little gem, although I would argue it runs a bit too long in the end.