Quick Review: District 9 (2009)

DISTRICT 9

BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELL
JULY 7, 2013

Not only did director Neill Blomkamp bring something new and rejuvenating to the science fiction genre, but he also does so in his directorial debut with “District 9”. Exhibiting the skills and wherewithal of directors twice as seasoned, Blomkamp delivers a fresh, clean look at the alien invasion genre paired with huge political undertones set on South Africa’s backdrop. With no apocalyptic tie-ins or the usual invasion undertones, Blomkamp turns this idea on its head as the aliens become stranded on earth and placed into camps.

Sharlto Copley leads the film and his first feature role, as the nerdy government agent sent to inform the aliens of their eviction to a new compound. Still, as he and the others maneuver through the alien shanties, they come across more than they bargained for, eventually turning Copley’s character, Wikus, into a refugee as well. The visuals in “District 9” are sublime, especially for a director’s first feature. The CGI aliens blend in with their human counterparts, making it easy for the viewer to follow along while the giant spacecraft set-piece hovers seamlessly in the sky. With an endorsement from Peter Jackson, Blomkamp is well on his way to becoming a staple in the science fiction genre.

RELEASE DATE
August 14, 2009

DIRECTOR
Neill Blomkamp

WRITTEN BY
Neill Blomkamp
Terri Tatchell

BASED ON
“Alive in Joburg”
by Neill Blomkamp

STUDIO
TriStar Pictures

R
(for pervasive language including sexual references)

ACTION
COMEDY
SCI-FI
109 minutes