District 9

I resisted the seductive call of the DVDrip so I could watch this film for the first time in the cinema, and now I can say that I would have been furious with myself if I had missed it. Neil Blomkamp delivers a great science fiction film, the best in recent years (and what’s nice is that this isn’t the first time this year that I say this, and maybe not even the last, re: Moon and Avatar). I respect the radical style change between the first and second halves, but I loved the first half better because it’s something incredible and never seen before in the genre and in this form. Rather than to Cloverfield, District 9 is more similar to the unknown Japanese horror film Noroi the Curse, which keeps the documentary format uninterrupted for its entire runtime. The events of the second half could not be captured as a “documentary”, that was very clear to me. Even though it reaches its “WOW” peak somewhere at the beginning, the rest of film is so striking and breathtaking that it was a joy to watch. The occasional lapses in the script are easy to ignore – they aren’t as big as I’ve read in some reviews. I recommend it. Edit: The second viewing brings the rating down to four. (17/09/2009)

There was a loophole in Hollywood, and a guy who is no stranger to the word "compromise" slipped into the A-list mainstream. I’m glad Peter Jackson gave Neill Blomkamp the chance to make an incredibly engrossing and captivating sci-fi for a ridiculous thirty million. The film squeezes out the subject matter to the last drop, and then there are the special effects sequences. The feeling of "this is how it might actually happen..." beats the viewer over the head in every scene, and yet it doesn't falter in its pace. Objectively, I could ask several "why and how?" questions, but subjectively, I was ecstatic the whole time. If Blomkamp really does make a "Halo" movie, I want to see "Hal-Life" from him too, the guy’s got what it takes! I hope he succeeds. (20/09/2009)

One of the smartest movies of the year. It's not so much the idea, but rather the way Blomkamp updated the genre. District 9 has everything one can ask for from dejected offshoots, moreover in a completely sophisticated package. And the idea of using a documentary not only as an authenticating component, but above all as a means of explaining abbreviations, simply deserves recognition. (23/09/2009)

The prawns would probably love Whiskas, but personally I would prefer to pay entrance for a movie that had it clear in its head whether it wants to be a sloppy B sci-fi where the worse it is the better, or E.T., Transformers, Children of Men or War with Newts. I’m not saying that it can’t be combined into one whole, but certainly not by forcibly changing genre every quarter of an hour, forgetting about everything that has come before and shaking a stolen closed circuit camera around like a maniac. I followed the trend presented by Blomkamp and within fifteen minutes I forgot that I had ever seen this movie. (21/09/2009)

Documentary preview spoiled by senseless perspectives "outside", bizarre exaggeration of side lines and glaring logical absurdities. Plus one solid action scene. This script simply hit a wall after ten minutes, as it unfolded into pig soldiers, insane scientists, and ritual-thinking Nigerians. Additionally, the only likable character is the backgrounded alien Christopher, who outshines the selfish Wikus in almost everything. Every battle clash must be accompanied by some bloody effect, prostitutes sleep with aliens (??), and Blomkamp clearly hits the taste of the audience and critical majority, who applaud him for the gritty atmosphere. But it does nothing for me, so for those few solid (although quickly drowned) ideas, just like this. (07/11/2009)

I’ll say up front that it's a better 4 stars, because I'm still a bit bleary eyed. It was there, what people are like. There was action. There were powerful weapons. There were interesting aliens. It was cool X-D I'm so freaked out about it. It's definitely worth a movie ticket. It really was beautifully believable, the documentary style didn't hurt it, at all. Watch it again? Why not. Well, the best part was the use of the "dusting" gun anyway. I guess I'm a weirdo for liking it... In short: I have such a hard-to-describe feeling about this movie, but my cheeks are burning, which means it was good and that I paid maximum attention. (16/09/2009)

To be honest, things have been going downhill for the sci-fi genre for a long time, at least since the famous Star Wars films by Lucas. Too often, both viewers and creators confuse it with the popular fantasy genre, which is much easier due to its fairy tale themes. Pure sci-fi films are rare and are often made according to a certain template, for safety reasons. Blomkamp's District 9 is a very pleasant innovation and a combination of several subgenres into one spectacular and satisfying spectacle. In its essence, it is a simple story in the style of a straightforward adventure, interwoven with many action elements of classic sci-fi, spiced up by a documentary introduction and an interesting anti-hero in the lead role. Sharlto Copley does not look or act like a positive character for most of the runtime; instead, he acts like a cynical opportunist (the scene of the "abortion" of an alien newborn) who is primarily trying to save his own skin. The main motif of District 9 is the racial segregation of different ethnicities and cultures - it is no coincidence that the director placed his story in South Africa... In addition to the cramped environment of South African slums, there are dynamic camera shots that capture action scenes without the viewer losing track for even a moment, unfamiliar actors who are trying their best, a range of directorial ideas, raw dialogue, and overall creativity, which make District 9 look more attractive and visually impressive than many genre counterparts with much higher budgets. The fast pace and tension allow the viewer to overlook certain logical errors (one can only envy Wikus for how quickly he learns to control the combat robot with alien technology) and shortcomings. Although District 9 may not be at the absolute peak of the genre, it is still my nicest cinematic surprise of this year... Overall impression: 85% (20/09/2009)

Definitely the surprise of the year. I really didn’t expect D9 to be this good. The original approach of the guy who I’d almost written off during the test shots for Halo blew my mind. Blomkamp knows his stuff. He’s good at provoking mixed feelings, where you don’t know whether to laugh or be disgusted. The whole movie is supported by an amazing performance from the unknown Sharlto Copley and his Wikus is everything but a good-guy main lead. Regardless everything he does at the beginning, the viewer still can be on board with him. Most of the people and the prawns, are bastards anyway. When I think about it, the only actual good guy was Chris. :-) It’s the best sci-fi so far this year (but this will probably be beaten by Avatar which comes out December 17th). This year’s Terminator can go take a walk. - Should I shoot the little bastard? - , you can’t shoot it now, it’s illegal to do that. (14/11/2009)

Revolutionary in its devilish directorial style and overall concept, above average in action scenes and rawness, average in visual effects and technical execution, below average in the idea and concept of the script. Just what was expected. But it is very enjoyable entertainment. (04/10/2009)

In a word: Amazing. In more words: The way that District 9 rubs shoulders with all the recent sci-fi "sensations" like Transformers, Terminator Salvation and, ultimately, Avatar is astounding. I haven't seen such an original film, full of fresh ideas, engagingly shot and, as far as the main character is concerned, superbly acted in a long, long time. It takes more than ordinary talent to make a sci-fi action spectacle that also contains a deep, topical and a very pressing idea. And Neill Blomkamp seems to have plenty of it (Jackson knows who to put his money into). To all this I add the exotic South African setting, the music, the flawlessly made aliens and the documentary style that really draws you into the story... This amounts to five honest, 100% stars. (18/08/2010)

Yeah, it is original, but I couldn't get rid of the feeling that the director, in an attempt to kick the audience's ass as much as possible, sometimes overplays his hand, which was especially evident in the insanely action-packed and over-the-top ending. On the other hand, the main idea is really good, the narration in a light documentary style is quite brisk and the depiction of the aliens as despised scum of society feeding on garbage is a really unprecedented touch of diversity, on which everyone has to make their own opinion. I definitely highly recommend watching the film, it’s a shining example of the fact that even with a little you can make quality and suspenseful science fiction that doesn't play games and serves what the viewers expect. That said, I would never call it a cult-classic. 75% (23/05/2012)

The beginning of that sad tale of a young, relentless director who, despite the studios and the conditions, broke uncompromisingly into the big game. Surprisingly, the latter didn't chew him up or conform him, but instead sadistically granted him unprecedented creative freedom to show that the public doesn't want his films so much, but likes those stories about filmmaking rebels. District 9, Elysium, and Chappie all have the same parameters. Incredible set design, a fantastic sense of editing and camera angles, interesting themes and attractions. But neither of them were able to string these together with a script that didn't rely on unlikely clichés and one-dimensional supporting characters. With visual directors, this is better tolerated the first time (see here), less so on subsequent attempts. See the subsequent general disappointment with Blomkamp's imo best film (and one of the best action sci-fi films perhaps ever), Elysium. It came with exactly what everyone actually wanted from the director (dirty audiovisual hedonism), but when they got it they suddenly started thinking about the story, the script, and the message. (14/11/2021)

District 9 suited me like no sci-fi has lately. I'm not afraid to say that I was really impressed at times (whether it was the action scenes or the confident and dynamic direction) and in my mind I was blessing Peter Jackson, who hired a really excellent director and for a few tens of millions of dollars allowed great entertainment to arise with him, not to mention rather original entertainment within the genre. (16/03/2010)