Feb 22 2010
District 9 (2009)
Starring Sharlto Copley and a bunch of CGI aliens
Directed by Neill Blomkamp (produced by Peter Jackson)
Rated R for bloody violence and pervasive language
1 hour 52 minutes
2009 Best Picture Nominee
There aren’t any actors you would recognize in this film… and that makes it better. Constructed to resemble a documentary, District 9 tells us how an alien ship has hovered over South Africa for decades while the ship’s inhabitants have been confined to a slum in Johannesburg. Today, amidst growing conflicts between the extraterrestrials and humans, one man (Copley) leads the effort to resettle the multitudes of aliens in a more remote location. In the process, an accident happens that allows him to understand their world more completely. The most amazing thing about this film is how real it feels. The sets and special effects are amazing and surprisingly believable and the directorial style makes you feel like your are watching current events unfold. I was really captivated by how just how unique this film is in so many ways. Other than a slightly disappointing (sequel-begging) ending and a few too many gallons of blood and guts, this was a fun and exciting movie.
Grade: B+
P.S. How come this movie was nominated for Best Picture and Star Trek (my favorite movie of the year) wasn’t?
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this movie. I did enjoy it, and I even liked the ending. It just wasn’t as great as everybody else says it is.