Movie Review : District 9
A few weeks ago I wrote about the movie District 9 and this weekend I got the chance to actually watch it. The first thing I have to say about the movie is that if you don’t like movies about aliens, give this movie a miss. Oh and if you’re expecting another Independence Day, where humans kick alien ass, then you will also be disappointed. District 9 is a very different and original take on the ‘aliens on earth’ genre.
Plot
The movie is set in South Africa where 20 years before, an alien space ship breaks down and is suspended in the sky above the country. The authorities decide to find out what’s up and they discover that its full of aliens. So they decide to set aside a special camp in the country (which is really a slum) for all of them to live. After 20 years there are almost 2 million of these aliens or “prawns” as they call them (gives you an idea what they look like). Problems start when the government hires a private contractor to relocate the prawns to another camp outside the city. That’s when the story really develops…
Verdict
Probably the most original interpretation of the alien movie I have ever seen. There is a good amount of action but also good acting and tension rather than just a bunch of special effects, OTT dialogue and a complete lack of human involvement.
The first 15 minutes actually plays as a realistic documentary with people giving interviews to the camera, which is a clever way of laying out the story. The rest of the movie has a raw, unpolished feel to it which is a welcome change and really helps build up the tension. And just as you think you know where the movie is going it takes a sharp turn and becomes more about the situation one man finds himself in.
The movie plays on your emotions and you actually end up unexpectedly feeling sorry for some of the characters. On the downside there are parts of the movie which don’t seem to flow that well and a sub plot involving Nigerian gangs which is out of place with rest of the movie.
This movie would really appeal to fans of the Aliens franchise and I also could see the influence of the horror movie The Fly. There is also more than a nod to games such as Half Life, Dead Space etc. I wouldn’t call myself a big fan of all these things, but the movie still really impressed me and is definitely worth watching.
You can check out the trailer of District 9 from one of my old posts by clicking [here]
7 Responses Leave a comment
cant wait to see it, seems cool
Deadspace ftw! :P That poster makes me want to go to the shooting range..
Even though I’m not really a fan of scifi movies either..I actually really enjoyed this one.
I didnt like the whole interview/documentary style with the random people (that dont even show up later on in the film!) but it def gets better and the final shootout scene at the end MADE the film!
You did a good job on the review, I’d probably give it 8/10 (if it wasnt for the accents, itd be 9)
oh, one more thing..Christopher? Really, Christopher?!? They couldnt come up with a better name for an ALIEN!
aaa: It is cool and definitely worth checking out. BTW if you decide to watch it through “unofficial” ways, make sure the movie comes with subtitles. There are few key scenes where the aliens talk in their own lanaguage and you’ll be lost without the subs. Unless you happen to be fluent in Prawn talk that is ! :)
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desertpalms: I know !! The name is so pathetic. I think its a lame way of trying to humanise a disgusting looking alien. Final battle scene is absolutely nuts !!
Let me guess, the accent really annoyed you when the main actor starts getting angry ? :)
haha yeah! every other word was ‘FOOK’!
And He wasnt THAT disgusting..=( kinda cute actually..in a way..
Your smiley reminded me of Christopher..
aaa : thanks alot, thats helpful