District 9

District 9 (2009)
Directed by Neill Blomkamp
Length 112 minutes
Rated R for bloody violence and pervasive lanugage




People are often inclined to complain about the state of movies today, specifically concerning the lack of originality and quality. Thankfully, what started as the film adaptation of the popular video game Halo quickly turned into one of the most original and best movies to come out in a long time. Making his directorial debut, Neill Blomkamp has delivered a powerful movie that has you leaving the theater not only commenting on the special effects and gore but also on the immense social commentary found throughout the film. Bolstered by these powerful themes, District 9 is the rare combo of action and drama that truly succeeds in making a meaningful impact.

The plot of District 9 is easy enough to understand and is established in a documentary style. Roughly twenty years ago, an alien mothership broke down over the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, a region with a rich history of segregation, hatred, and misunderstanding. Instead of attempting to establish a meaningful first contact with the aliens, known by the humans as "Prawns" for their shrimp-like appearance, they are soon gathered in ghettos guarded by a corporation attempting to utilize the alien technology to develop new weapons. The protagonist of the story Wikus Van De Merwe, played by Blomkamp's real life friend and new comer Sharlto Copley, works for the corporation as a director of alien affairs (essentially). While serving eviction notices, Wikus is exposed to an alien substance that begins to cause him to transform into one of the Prawns.

The real star and driving force of District 9 is Wikus. Mirroring the transformation process of Jeff Golblum in David Croneburg's adaption of The Fly (an obvious influnce on Blomkamp), the emotional and physical pain Wikus experiences is felt by the audience. I know I personally found myself on the verge of tears numerous times as Wikus struggled with losing his wife. Particularly powerful are the scenese involving the experiementation on Wikus. In the clearest definition of the term, Wikus is a tragic hero, not only physically transforming but also mentally and emotionally transforming from the true monstrosity of a human into the misunderstood Prawn.

Beyond simply being gory, District 9 is a haunting movie that forces you to question your irrational fears of the unknown. Living in unfit conditions, the concentration camps housing the Prawn are dirty, dangerous, and disturbing. It is known by urban developers that a poor environment can lead to bad behavior in the form of gangs, crime, and prostitution, all of which are found in the ghettos of district nine. It's amazing to witness the level of detail in terms of social commentary Blomkamp fit into this movie, not only concerning segregation but also on poverty and society as a whole.

Perhaps the most prevalent theme throughout the film is the control corporations wield in today's society. The corporation that Wikus works for, MNU, attempts to garner new technologies from the aliens, specifially weapons. The problem with the alien's technology is that it only works when used by someone possessing alien DNA. I'm sure you can realize based on my plot summary the interest MNU has in Wikus and his new found transformation. Truly, the scenes involving Wikus being forced to fire the alien weapons will leave your jaw dropped and on the verge of tears.

What is being helmed as a great summer action movie succeeds in delivering on many more levels than initially anticipated. For a first film, Blomkamp has hit a home run. Not only will the thrill seekers be satisfied with the blood and explosions, the most ferocious filmgoers will all find something in District 9. It truly is disturbing to watch the depths the human race will sink to. In a time still plagued by hatred and war, we need more films like Blomkamp's masterpiece that force us to ponder the bigger issues as well as those we may not be comfortable facing.

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote: I couldn't really remember one particularly quote, but there are numerous scenes that will stick out and leave a lasting impression on you.

Oscar Nominations:
Best Motion Picture
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Achievement in Editing
Best Achievement in Visual Effects