O Masterpiece
X Excellent
O Good
O OK
O Mediocre
O Avoid
Review by Jason Pyles / August 14, 2009
For those who insist that “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” and “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” are good movies, I suggest contrasting them with “District 9,” Peter Jackson’s sci-fi action-drama that not only has spectacular special effects, it also has an intriguing story line that’s enhanced by the subtext of its themes. In other words, it’s a blockbuster that’s entertaining visually and intellectually.
“District 9” is presented as a documentary that examines an alien invasion. Starting with archival footage from 1982, the film shows how a gigantic alien aircraft arrives over Johannesburg, South Africa, and looms ominously in mid-air. After three months of silence from the visitors, an organization called Multi-National United (MNU) flies up to the alien ship and cuts its way inside, where it finds bug-like extraterrestrials, struggling and malnourished.
On the ground below the ship, MNU establishes a holding camp called District 9, a slum that becomes home to 1.8 million aliens for the next 20 years after their arrival, during which time, tensions and intolerance between humans and aliens result in escalating unrest.
The costly inconvenience of hosting the invaders has made them a despised nuisance. Humans want the aliens to leave just as much as they want to return home, but their ship is inoperable. Violent and unsettling mayhem ensues.
“District 9” has a bizarre, almost comedic beginning with a pseudo-documentary style similar to a Christopher Guest film, like “Waiting for Guffman.” Then the tone suddenly grows more dire, with footage resembling “Cloverfield” or “Quarantine” — minus the motion sickness.
The aliens themselves are unsightly creatures, seemingly inept delinquents that chew on tires and love cat food more than E.T. loves Reese’s Pieces. Their language is reminiscent of Greedo’s, from “Star Wars,” which means their dialogue is necessarily subtitled.
“District 9” does an excellent job at shaping our initial opinion of the visitors, provoking our contempt and an “us” versus “them” attitude. Then it pulls the rug from beneath us, stirring our compassion and sympathy for the aliens, reversing the target of our disgust to humans.
“District 9” is a blatant, metaphorical commentary on illegal “aliens” and refugee camps, and the moral questions of humanitarianism associated with them. It also addresses sacrificing life in the name of scientific or militaristic progress.
“District 9” is the best film of the summer and perhaps the best film so far this year.
Directed by Neill Blomkamp
Sharlto Copley / Vanessa Haywood / Nathalie Boltt
Sci-Fi 112 min.
MPAA: R (for bloody violence and pervasive language)
1 comment:
Amen brother! When you add in the fact that it was made for a mere $30 million dollars and had not a single known actor - it may even rise to the level of masterpiece! I'm going to see it again!
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