District 9 Review

District 9 (2009)

3.5/4

District 9 was presented by Peter Jackson as a Scfi Fi documentary filled with not angelic aliens but humane. Niel Blomkamp has been involved with many Sci Fi flicks but this is his first feature film. And Peter Jackson is the right man to start it with. Jackson might as well be the modern Steven Spielberg. And what more to start a career then to do something you are already familiar with. District 9. A more then compelling story about alien slavery who desire freedom through the voice of one human. Or through the actions you might say.

The plot is followed through a place called District 9 located in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is known that the aliens had landed here 30 year ago. All they want is to go home. But apparently their ship module fell into earth. At this time, the humans are skeptical and appear to have raided the area and capture the aliens and housed them in district 9. More like just another Shack Town that has been abandoned. The aliens are soon called Prawns. Known to be some cricket race.

That is how it all started. Since then aliens have started to negotiate with the humans while our mankind used the alien intelligence to manifest ridiculous weapons that shoot blue lasers. The film kind of starts of with a documentary type approach. Making it look like your watching something off the history channel. This time its not about presidents or natural disasters but aliens. After the somewhat slow start, the film treads into raw violent action deprived of human touch. I'm talking about ripping arms and such. Extremely graphic and it can at times be to much. But I felt it was needed for that realistic touch. To not become just another Sci Fi flick but to feel like we are there. Watching from the news or experience it first hand. As if prawns really do exist in South Africa. At this point, all you want is the lead guy Wikus Van Der Merwe(Sharlto Copley) to help these near helpless creatures.

This film doesnt come without its controversy. With its apartheid and its racial indifferences. Yes, the south african civilians are shown as vagrants and the theme seemed to be racially divided. But there is a much greater problem. The aliens are often abused and toyed with like animals or tested like assembly line leftovers. The cruelty can often seem like some cheap trick by PETA. But it creates that human emotion that seemed left out of our human friends. The prawns become the humans and the humans become the beast. In other words, the humans are shown to be more barbaric then humans are. Which is probably true. Our hunger for power and advances doesnt lie. We love it. We would do anything for it. Even if it does question our moral.

Neil made us remember that not all aliens are godlike creatures that save the world with their UFO's and martian magic. But to be relatable. To show affection and to express basic human emotions. To give us a feel about how real this world can be. Instead of this fantasy that Fox News puts up every day. I felt sorry for the aliens. I loved them. There are no other sentimental feeling but for the love of an entire unknown race. Something to look for in the near future. Aliens...do not come to our world.

This film is not only visually stunning(Despite with a budget of 30 million) but an endearing story about a man who chose to do the right thing. One who chose freedom other then oppression. The funny part is that with its rather small budget, everything looks so real. I guess Peter Jackson knows what to do when it comes down to special effects. His Lord Of The Ring Trilogy speak for themselves.

With its dark undertone and graphic nature, its the most disturbing film of the year. But put a little bit of human heart and some top notch action and you get the years best film.