Movie Review: District 9

THREE THINGS I LIKED:

1. THIS IS SCIENCE FICTION DONE RIGHT — And let's get this out of the way right from the start: I'm typically the least likely to get enthused about any sort of sci-fi flick. But it was easy to see why Peter Jackson produced District 9—and why so many people I run into think he directed it. But it's actually 29-year-old Neill Blomkamp directing his first feature here, effectively using limited special effects in the "splat-stick" style reminiscent of Jackson's earlier films. In comparison to the humans-as-enemy angle James Cameron reheated and served up for Avatar, Blomkamp's method feels fresh and unique.
   
2. THE UNEXPECTED SOCIAL COMMENTARY — Blomkamp, who was born in South Africa, stages District 9 such that his giant alien spaceship docks not over the typical New York or D.C. location, but right over Johannesburg. And without ever feeling preachy or heavy-handed, the film's TV news style and resettlement of its aliens touches on apartheid and xenophobia issues that added unexpected complexity.
   
3. CAN I PICK ON CLOVERFIELD AGAIN? — Because here's another handheld attempt at sci-fi, but done with far more skill and with characters I actually liked. As Wikus van der Merwe, the cowardly son-in-law to the head of the film's evil corporation, Sharlto Copley is nothing short of revelatory in turning his character into a hero.
   

THREE THINGS I DIDN'T:

1. "MULTINATIONAL UNITED"? — Was this really the best name they could come up with for the giant evil corporation? Such obviousness seems better suited for the audience of, say, Wall-E. Or maybe even the Starship Troopers crowd that felt that Paul Verhoeven effort was something wittier than it actually was.
   
2. BECOMES SOMETHING OF A BUDDY FLICK TOWARD THE END — The alien Wikus has a couple of rather coincidental run-ins with is named Christopher Johnson (Jason Cope). Christopher has a young son too and the film's third act essentially sends the trio into fairly standard shoot-out action.
   
3. COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN — I guess 20 years is a long time for a spaceship to be having engine trouble, but it still seems like too short of a span to have the aliens and humans having so little trouble understanding one another's language.
   

25 WORDS OR LESS:

I'd consider it to be the highest possible praise when I say that I would be interested if there is indeed a sequel.