District 9 Review
Aug 13, 2009 by Vic HoltremanFind out why District 9 is destined to be an instant Sci-Fi classic.
Short Version: With its unique story, fantastic visual effects and real-world look, District 9 is sure to be a future Sci-Fi classic.
Screen Rant reviews District 9
District 9 is probably not what you’re expecting.
The trailers and clips that you may have seen so far don’t really tell you what the movie is about – and that’s a good thing.
20 years ago, an alien ship appeared over (of all places) the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. That’s a pretty matter of fact statement made within a couple of minutes of the start of District 9, which starts off in documentary fashion, complete with behind the scenes types of shots that wouldn’t appear in the final cut of a documentary film.
District 9 (and the documentary) revolves around the story of Wikus Van De Merwe (played extremely well by Sharlto Copley), a supervisor for mega-corporation MNU (Mutli-National United). When the aliens first arrived, an attempt was made to integrate them into the civilian population despite their radically alien, insect-like appearance. However there were issues between them and the humans including theft, murder and mayhem on a sometimes massive scale. Eventually things came to a head (evident by the numerous “no aliens” signs), segregation was imposed and they were moved into a huge refugee-type camp called – District 9.
While the film was produced by none other than Peter Jackson, director Neill Blomkamp was raised in South Africa until he was 18, and this film is a direct reflection of a similar camp/shantytown called “District 6″ which was used to segregate blacks until apartheid was finally lifted.
At the start of the film the discovery of the aliens is described along with the fact that over their 20 year stay (there was something wrong with their ship and they’ve been unable to leave) their number has grown from one million to 1.8 million. With the clashes with the local population the decision was made to move them all to a new camp over 100 miles away from Johannesburg, and this is one of the focal points of the film. Van De Merwe is put in charge of coordinating the giant migration (which must began with a legal eviction of the “prawns” as they’re derisively called) from their current homes.
MNU is tasked with this project – but another very significant part of the company is weapons manufacture. They want to figure out how to make the alien weapons work, but they are designed to be triggered only by alien DNA. Solving this problem would mean billions of dollars in profit for the company.
The story revolves almost exclusively around Van De Merwe, and it is hinted at very early on in the film that something happens which causes him to be eventually branded a traitor. We’re with him through the entire film and to say he goes through some tribulations and changes is putting it mildly. Watching him evolve as a character as the movie progresses is one of the best things about the film.
This film is a fitting movie for winding down the summer movie season – while it has its share of action and explosions, it also tells a compelling story and wraps it in social commentary (and don’t worry, it’s not remotely “preachy”). It has drama, action, violence, touching moments and even some comedy – but all these aspects seam together smoothly for the most part. Towards the end of the film there is something that will immediately call to mind the robots from Transformers, and considering what’s come before that does seem a little out of place and inserted just for the sake of a big action set-piece.
The documentary approach that opens the film starts out light and a bit funny, and it may throw you off a bit. As the film goes on eventually the obvious documentary approach falls by the wayside and we’re back in standard observer of what’s happening mode, with the sporadic news clip and interview inserted as a kind of narrative.
This movie is rife with tons of little details that all combine to add to the tapestry of the film – Van De Merwe’s clumsy geekyness at the start of the film, his wife reminiscing about him, the misinformation in news reports (that may take you back to Robocop just a little bit), the aliens’ obsession with cat food (of all things!), and it goes on and on.
District 9 is rated R and for good reason: There is a ton of gore and violence, and enough F-bombs that even if you tried you’d lose count. Now neither of those are a bad thing in the film – they both fit into the context perfectly (there’s almost a certain glee that comes with the amount and level of blood spatters that hit the camera lense throughout the film). I’m just letting you know that this is one where you might want to fork out the bucks for a babysitter.
I would dare say that the movie will take you in a direction you didn’t expect and that after you watch it, it may take a while for what you just saw to sink in. Is it perfect? No – there are a few things that I thought were a bit of a plot hole or stretched out time-wise that didn’t make perfect sense, and in the third act it seems to get a bit over-”actiony” just for the sake of it. But if you’re looking for a smart Sci-Fi movie to cleanse your palate of the fluffy Sci-Fi films that have been the hallmark of 2009, District 9 may be just the ticket.
Discuss your non-spoiler thoughts on the film below, or head to our District 9 spoilers page to talk about the film without worrying about ruining for people who haven’t seen it yet.
Our Rating:
4.5 out of 5
Around the web:
Loading ...
No hateorade,
Just dont want to see it.
This movie looks sick. I love the realistic style and look to it. I’m gonna go try to see it today. Thanks for the review I knew Vic would love it
So Tim, just because someone didn’t like nausea-inducing camera work in CLoverfield, means that they’re uneducated? I went in to that movie with high hopes and left extremely disappointed. Such potential and it was totally wasted.
Now on to D-9. This is a movie I WILL go see even if my GF doesn’t want to. I didn’t see Transformers 2, Terminator or GI Joe yet, but this is one I HAVE to see. It has that unique vibe to it that I once had for The Matrix. Glad you liked it Vic, because now I am almost 100% sure that I will too.
Now I wasn’t really shocked by the *twist* of this film because I’ve seen all the clips and all the different trailers released for it before it came out and was able to piece it together, but it was still a very well executed movie that was extremely enjoyable and something everyone(except little kids) should go and see. It’s a good movie that puts a good finish to a disappointing summer of movies.
I really think the positive buzz on D9 is going to help it win the weekend.
It will for sure have a strong second week once everyone hears how kick ass it is on Monday.
790 you just made me want to see it less. I hated Cloverfield. I thought it was pure crap. I was considering it with how much everyone on here is raving, but the trailers don’t look good and you made a comparison to Cloverfield.
@ Daniel F
There’s nothing Cloverfield about it. Im not sure what your movie tastes are but just imagine a movie you thought was going to be mediocre when u saw the trailer, and then when you saw the film you were like Damn that was tight! Thats what District 9 is if the trailer didnt sway you on seeing the film.
@ SIN187UM
Thanks for that. You made my attempt at humor seem reasonable lol.
Anyway, obviously we can’t make you gain interest in this movie but it seems like some ppl are just being “unreasonably difficult” about giving this movie a shot.
To be honest, this summer season did not produce quality movies. Entertaining, yes, but not quality.
This is quality and entertaining. Give it a shot. You won’t regret it.
Well Daniel, there is some handheld action but its hardly noticeable.
The story doesn’t let you stop and dwell on that…
The trailers are they way they are because they didn’t want to spoil the story arc.
(Opps almost gave away the story arc)
@ ogb
NP, and yes the summer has produced some ho hum films or films that didn’t live up to their potential, but this one has delivered as you and many others have stated.
SIN187UM, what I found to be similar to Cloverfield was the realism and the handheld documentary shots… It produces the “Ride effect…”
Ok I can agree with you on realism as far as Cloverfield in the cinematography aspect, and partially on the handheld only because it takes place in the first part of the film. Id say the ride affect is more closer to Quarantine/REC(for the Euro people), thats just me though.
The way the carnage was portrayed made the film believable. This is clearly not a superhero film with no blood.
District 9 would have been ruined as a PG-13 film.
I think a lot of films are ruined by PG-13 status when they should be rated R, and then we get some crap Unrated version that is basically just the same as the rated version with gasp 5 minutes of footage and audio commentary and the ever useless DIGITAL COPY.
D9 was so fully rated R that it wouldn’t have worked as a Unrated version.
Usually those movies work in a boob or a F bomb that’s about it. D9 was rated R all the way through… It was more like an HBO special nothing held back and I loved it!
Definitely seeing it again next week.
@ 790
Oh yes I know it was, I did see it
. Im just saying unrated DVDs aren’t what they used to be as far as deleted scenes and content. There must be a petition to sign to stop digital copies hiking up the price of DVDs as well as a digital copy is basically the same as a coaster.
I wouldn’t mind the digital transfers if they allowed you to convert them to whatever format you want instead of that protected crap so I can’t even convert it to mp4 to watch on my blackberry… Whip out my drm remover… *looks around*
SIN187UM, yeah I don’t use the digital copies either. I’ve found that most movie buffs don’t watch movies on Iphones. Its more for kids.
Or adults who have to spend more hours of their lives at work instead of at home. Not like I don’t watch the movies on my tv, but it would be nice to watch some at work too, don’t let my employer know that, the Blackberry is for business use only of course, lol.
Sucks to actually have these things called “responsibilities” where I have to “work” to pay these little things called “bills.” Dammit Obama, when can we just sit around and get money from the government??? Hurry your butt up, come on…
p.s. iphones suck, Blackberry FTW!
I just saw the movie and loved it. All I could think was “WOW this is what Cloverfield should have been.” The actiony bits were great. I think that the end was a litte bit wedged in, but you got to admit, the robot was really frigging cool (exploding head taser HELL YA).
I love the amount of gore in this movie. I really think this movie had some really good horror roots to it. How freaking disturbing was the moment when they cut the cast off of him, as well as the tests that MNU preformed on the main character.
I also really loved the gun fights with the tip of the hat to some old scifi alien invasion movies with the alien lighting/ray guns that just turn anything living into pink mist.
I also hate to say this, but i really got emotionally attached to the aliens and their plight. I found the characters believable and sympathetic. Witch is a rare thing to find these days in a movie like District 9
I think the thing about this movie is,that we as Americans are so pampered and hand held through movies now, that we arnt used to seeing a really heavy movie thats not “fluffy”. We rarely get movies anymore that challenge us both emotionally, action wise, and morally.
Well said John !!!
Totally agree,,,
Wow i sure did use the letter “I” alot. sorry about that. Just trying to convey what was good and what wasnt
Oh one more thing…did anyone notice the fact that they left it open to a sequel
Um John, this was supposed to be a SPOILER FREE discussion. I believe there is another thread about D9 if you want to talk about stuff that happened IN the film.
News update “District 9″ is dominating the box office this weekend already making 14mil on friday.
GI Joe has fallen way behind with a 68% drop off. As I knew it would.
To Andy….you just proved my point about un-educated comments concerning the brilliant “Cloverfield”. It was the experience and the film maker making you a part of the experience. Just got back and what many say, 790, pumpkin king and Vic are so true. MY GOD! We were there to witness this even and I can only compare the experience to a Cloverfield. God Damn….WE WERE THERE!!!!!!!!! Hard to put into words the way this film has made me feel, I have high hopes for the next generation of film making. I am still processing what I have just witnessed. 790 is correct…..PG-13 would have not worked for this type of movie experience! Bloody BRILLIANT!
sounds great! can’t wait to see it.
Good to hear it’s doing well. It deserves to.
You have to go back to at least BLADE RUNNER for a film comparable to D9 in terms of freshness of vision. I hope it’ll be similarly influential in both looks and story-telling.
I just saw it this morning,and I can say that this is far and away,easily the best movie to come out all year.
Nuff said.