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Movie Review: "District 9"

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First-time Director Neil Blomkamp has not only created an action-packed science fiction thriller but an emotionally poignant movie exploring the nature of discrimination and segregation. “District 9” is often suspenseful and always thought-provoking. It is a sadly realistic look at what would occur in a situation where human beings had the tide of power on their side. With heavy influence by producer Peter Jackson (“Lord of the Rings”) this movie although imperfect is an original technically-brilliant movie that captivates.

Filmed as a “mock-umentary District 9” is the story of first contact with an alien race in an unconventional manner. The alien spaceship for reasons originally unknown comes to a standstill over Johannesburg South Africa. The spaceship is immobile for months without any signs of alien activity. Eventually MNU agents (“Multi-National United those who deal with alien affairs) are able to penetrate the spaceship to discover a startling sight – more than a million extraterrestrial beings, malnourished and confused, trapped inside. Consequently, MNU establishes District 9, a refugee camp that separates prawns” (derogatory term for the alien race) from the general public supposedly as a temporary solution while finding a wayto return the aliens home. But as the audience soon realizes MNU has a different motive.

This movie succeeds on many levels but two in particular come to mind. The first is the impressive action sequences. They are exhilarating realistic bloody and fun. Anyone who loves action will find plenty here. 

But more importantly the movie excells as a social commentary–especially in regards to discrimination and acts of “de-humanization.” Treatment of the “prawns” steadily worsens. Humans (especially MNU agents) violate aliens’ rights as refugees use brutal force when it is unnecessary and do not hesitate to kill innocent “prawns” if they get in the way of MNU. In many instances throughout the film the injustice done to these creatures is so upsetting draws tears. One scene in particular in which agents experiment with the aliens and their weapons is so believable and heartrending it will have the viewer gasping for justice.
 
The most intriguing part of the film is the plot twist. The protagonist and leader of the MNU eviction excursions Wikus Van Der Merwe (Sharlto Copley) becomes a criminal refugee himself and soon realizes the nature of his previous actions. With the tables turned on him he realizes how the “prawns” feel and soon has to come to terms with the fact that physical characteristics don’t determine the worth of an individual.
 
District 9’s “mock-umentary” style allows an expansive look at the worldwide impact of first contact with extraterrestrials. It also allows for different perspectives on current issues outside the viewpoint of MNU thereby enriching the film’s convincing messages. However the shaky home video-camera filming style that accompanies the storytelling can be distracting.
 
In the end despite the fact that it does not tie up loose ends “District 9” immediately takes its place among the best of the science fiction genre. The visual effects are fantastic; the themes are poignant and relevant and the emotional depth is overwhelming. This is one of those films that even haters of science fiction will find intriguing and worth their while.