I keep hearing how a little ‘indie that could' needs our support, how true film fans need to spread the word, this indie that is supposedly so disadvantaged is called "District 9". It is backed by Lord of the Rings ringmaster Peter Jackson and its first person ad campaign is quite the buzz. So the real question is does it deliver? The answer would be, yes.
Site Map "District 9" takes place in present day, with an alien mother ship hovering over Johannesburg for the last twenty years. Its inhabitants have now become refugees living in slums below. With those slums come the usual criminal element of black marketers, arms dealers and drug lords. With so many problems, the solution Multi-National United (also known as MNU, the corporation who manages district 9) comes up with is a relocation program to a concentration camp type set up. As we follow Wikus Van De Merwe, played marvelously by the incredibly inexperienced Sharlto Copley, in a faux documentary we see him spearheading the eviction notices of the aliens to their new home. In over his head, Merwe encounters an alien unlike the others, referred to as Christopher Johnson, this alien is smart and non-violent. After confiscating some of Chris Johnson's alien technology Merwe's journey begins and we are really drawn in. At the heart of his Journey we find a story not to dissimilar to most, MNU's reason for helping these aliens is not the philanthropic cover they would lead the people to believe. Rather an arms manufacturer's violent need to learn the secrets of the aliens' advanced weapons in order to reproduce them and profit greatly.
"District 9" lays the ground work in its first half with great Science Fiction storytelling and ends with amazing action and fight sequences. Directed by Neill Blomkamp, another relative newcomer, the execution of the doc style is so well done it pulls the viewer in completely. The flawless CG compels you to really feel for the aliens once the story unfolds and we realize the true plight of this wayward race. Fantastic, story, great action and solid Sci-Fi lead me to whole heartily recommend "District 9", make sure to See It On The Big Screen!
John Crockett's Movie Rating System
See It On The Big Screen
Catch It On DVD
Wait For HBO
Watch It On Network TV After Thanksgiving Dinner
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
