Nine reasons to watch "District 9"

Rating: 8/10 (21 August 2009)

Peter Jackson and aliens did not make the list, but here are nine other reasons to go see the Jackson-produced movie "District 9." 1. Action. Lots of it. "District 9" hosts massive and impressive firefights on several occasions, and watching the gunplay alone might be enough of a draw for some testosterone-driven viewers.
2. It is faux-documentary film-making at its finest. Director and writer Neill Blomkamp has created a story that, at moments, reeks of realism. The "news" footage and interviews give parts of the movie a sense of grounding in the actual world that is sometimes hard to shake.
3. It is an original story with a unique personality. Kudos to Blomkamp and co-writer Terri Tatchell for their fascinating and quirky screenplay about the results of an alien ship settling above Johannesburg, South Africa.
4. Sharlto Copley might become your favorite new actor. With the awkward charm of Michael Scott and the determination of Rambo, Copley's character Wikus Van De Merwe takes viewers with him through the danger and emotion of "District 9" with refreshing poignancy.
5. Everyone else is talking about it. You should be too. "District 9" grossed almost $40 million at the box office its opening weekend, and the film has already jumped to the upper echelons of the IMDb Top 250 at #31 (while the film's ranking will most certainly drop after it's initial fan boost, it could easily stay on the list for some time).
6. The movie actually has something to say, a surprising accomplishment for an action-oriented movie in the Michael Bay era. Combine an ethical dilemma about the inhumane treatment of non-humans with the moral principle of walking a mile in someone else's shoes and you have the thought-provoking idea "District 9" presents.
7. Excellent visual effects. Blomkamp didn't have the advantage M. Night Shyamalan had in "Signs" of only showing his aliens for a few scenes, so the aliens in "District 9" had to be able to be on screen for the majority of the film without being a distraction. He and his design team succeeded, as the "District 9" aliens are unique but familiar enough to evoke empathy from the audience.
8. Creative (and cool) alien technology. The alien weapons play a large part in the film, and a robotic alien suit (ala "Bioshock") gives a fresh feel to familiar action sequences.
9. It is a fascinating movie which has achieved the rare feat of being as thrilling and interesting as its marketing campaign. The widely distributed alien-clad posters promoting the film suggest "District 9" is unfamiliar territory. The work of Blomkamp and his crew ensure it's like nothing else you've ever seen.