Apartheid Allegories and Awesome Action in Africa - DISTRICT 9

DISTRICT 9
2009 - 112 minutes - Science Fiction/Action
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Country: South Africa
IMDB: 8.0
Metacritic: 81
RT: 90% 


CinemaChagrin's Rating: A-

Watch this movie if you enjoy:

• a realistic and immersive film atmosphere
• "documentary-style" movie-making
• impressive sci-fi action sequences and special effects
• aliens

Avoid this movie if you dislike:

• lots of gore and splatter-filled violence
• science fiction/aliens
• South Africa
• Afrikaaner accents

District 9 is quite possibly the best and most convincing science-fiction film of the past few years. With a thoroughly engrossing atmosphere, convincing and complex lead character, and incredible special effects and action sequences, District 9 is a blast to watch.

In 1982 an alien ship came to Earth and settled over Johannesburg, South Africa, of all places. This ship didn't carry a fearsome and sophisticated alien race, but instead a sickly group of refugees. Quickly segregated into refugee camps-turned ghettos by the newly formed Multi-National United (MNU), the aliens (sardonically labeled "prawns" by humans due to their crustacean appearance) soon become victims of a newer, more vicious form of apartheid. 30 years later, the South African government wants the prawns moved away from the city. When government bureaucrat Wikus van der Merwe (played by a terrific Sharlto Copley) is charged with evicting the aliens from District 9, all hell breaks loose. To say anything more would spoil the fun!

The opening act of the movie is shot in faux-documentary style quite effectively to portray the current situation in Johannesburg. Interviews with MNU employees, international scholars, and everyday citizens immediately establish a convincing aura of realism.  The second act of the movie plays out more like a traditional sci-fi/action film (albeit done extremely well), but by this point the audience is so invested in the characters and story that a pervasive feeling of tension remains even during the over-the-top shoot-em-up sequences.

Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley) evicting a resident of District 9

The film also effectively displays the level of savagery that humans can inflict on other living things (and each other) and evokes a level of sympathy for the aliens that is impressive. The special effects (done by New Zealand's Weta Workshop) are strong throughout, especially given the film's modest $40 million budget. The prawns appear convincingly life-like, and the alien weapons and machinery have a unique and striking visual style. 

District 9 is a thrilling, visceral, and disturbingly realistic twist on the "aliens-visit-Earth-in-flying-saucers" sci-fi trope, and an absolute blast to watch. With compelling characters, a riveting story, and action with a purpose, this film is a must-see for fans of the genre and fans of good film-making in general.

-CC