Movie Review: District 9 (2009)

I had the opportunity to watch the Science Fiction film, District 9 this past weekend. The movie was directed by South African director, Neil Blomkamp. District 9 was produced by famed Lord of the Rings director, Peter Jackson. The idea for the film was taken from a 6 min short film made in 2005 by Neil Blomkamp entitled Alive in Joburg. District 9 was filmed in Johannesburg, South Africa (the largest city in Sub-Saharan Africa). No major Hollywood actors feature in District 9, the cast is made up entirely of South African actors. South Africa has the 2nd oldest film industry in the world. There have been many well executed movie projects from South Africa over the years and District 9 is no exception. 28 years ago Aliens landed over Johannesburg, South Africa. The Aliens are given a slum to live in, called D-9 or District 9 while the countries of the world ponders what to do with them. An organization of bureaucrats and mercenaries, Multi National United or MNU (resembling a company like Halliburton or Blackwater) are tasked to handle the relocation of the Aliens to a different area. The MNU is more concerned about making the Alien’s weapons work, the Aliens’ well being is not really of concern to them. The story begins as Wikus van der Merwe (played by Shelton Copley), an employee of MNU, is tasked to serve eviction notices to the Aliens. Wikus van der Merwe is exposed to an alien substance which modifies his DNA. He is detained by MNU, but escapes. He becomes the most hunted man on earth, which forces him to go into hiding where no one will look for him, in District 9

I was expecting a movie with really bad acting, overdone South African humor and bad special effects. I was completely surprised and entertained by this film. This film was made on a budget of only $30 million (a fraction of what is being spent to make Hollywood blockbusters these days). The special effects and action sequences, although sometimes very gory, were brilliantly executed. The South African accent was carried over correctly in District 9, an improvement on previous failed attempts in movies like Lethal Weapon 2. Sharlto Copley does an excellent portrayal of Wikus van der Merwe, an amazing achievement for a first time actor. District 9 is not your typical Science Fiction movie. The film made me laugh, made me think and brought up memories of South Africa’s Apartheid past. The title District 9 is a parody of District 6, an area in Cape Town, South Africa from which people were forcefully removed in the South African Apartheid era. I’m sure that District 9 will give the world an insight about this period, even though it’s aliens being oppressed in the movie. Many film critics and fans alike have marked District 9 as the best film of 2009. In my opinion, District 9 definately has the potential to do well at next year’s Oscars. There’s even been talk of sequel to District 9 even though it’s only been on the movie circuit for the past 2 weeks (in the US). The film was released on the weekend of the 14th of August 2009 in the United States and earned $37 million on its opening weekend, making it the number 1 movie in the US. I will most definately buy this film if it’s released on DVD, the Science Fiction junky inside of me will definately purr with satisfaction and I will feel even more proudly South African than I already am.

This is the trailer for District 9:

Related Links
District 9 – Metacritic
District 9 – Mahala
Movie Review: District 9 – 2 Oceans Vibe
District 9 goes huge – Mail & Guardian
10 Best Things About District 9 – Channel24
District 9 – Official Website at Sony Pictures
District 9 – Wikipedia