District 9

Directed By: Neil Blomkamp
Written By: Neil Blomkamp and Terri Tachell
Starring: Shartlo Copley and Jason Cope

Director of Photography: Trent Opalach, Editor: Julian Clarke, Production Designer: Philip Ivey, Original Music: Clinton Shorter

Rated: R for bloody violence and pervasive language.

    In District 9, a homeless and savaged group of individuals who are in need of food, shelter, and a real life are sheltered by a government into camps. The government is completely unsure on how to respond to their culture, and soon the camp becomes a slum, full of guns, violence, prostitution, and simply put danger. The individuals are subjected to racism, neglect, and exploitation by the surrounding community who simply wants them out and away. Of course, what makes District 9 compelling is that this isn’t another story of African apartheid, but of aliens trapped on Earth.

    On a subversion of the general alien attack story, District 9, directed by Neil Blomkamp, is a sci-fi story that teeters on its metaphor. When a group of disgustingly wretched aliens land and are trapped in Johannesburg, South Africa, government and private contractors set them into camps. The location, the hometown of Mr. Blomkamp, makes obvious parallels to the apartheid and racism that has ravaged not only that state but much of the continent. But District 9 doesn’t stay too longer playing parallels—it’s an science fiction action film, though it will milk its politics for what it does, and with good cause. This summer has seen many films that never question their clichés—Mr. Blomkamp, adaptation from a short film he made four years ago, mixes morals and metaphors with explosions and CGI for something that is truly unique.

    If Mr. Blomkamp’s name sounds familiar, he was handpicked by Peter Jackson to direct the film Halo, based on the popular video game series, before Microsoft pulled the plug. Mr. Jackson, busy on his own projects, gave Mr. Blomkamp this project instead, which shows his technical genius. Half the film plays like a documentary, reviewing the past story of the arrival of the aliens (or in racist slang, the ‘prawns’) while showing the eviction of the aliens out of the slums. But it might not be that easy, especially for the amusingly named Wikus Van de Mewre (Shartlo Copley), who is put in charge of the movement to the new camp, but soon finds himself in deeper trouble than he expected. Without giving much away, Wikus finds himself hunted by all sides, turning to an unlikely alien named Christopher (Jason Cope) for help.

    Things blow up in unlikely and fun fashion throughout District 9, but the metaphor always stays in focus. Whether it’s the trading with Nigerian gang leaders, the lack of responsibility by corporations, or simply the xenophobia on display, Mr. Blomkamp, along with his co-writer Terri Tachell, keeps the pace moving along with the politics. Although the film sometimes falls into a few too many action clichés, especially as it reaches it sequel setup finish, District 9 is thrilling fun. The film will have you cringe at the bloody fun, and awe at the special effects, which, given the film’s $30 million budget, shows you where each dollar went. In fact, the action is surely better crafted than almost every other summer blockbuster this season. If Mr. Blomkamp truly wants to go back to Halo now, I say let him.

    But in the end, what is the point of District 9? Is our society still unwilling to lend helping hands to those who aren’t our brothers and sisters? Mr. Blomkmap’s film is burrowed in nihilistic tendencies that question the fabric of human nature. Of course, giant alien machines blowing stuff up is pretty good fun too. But that would be the undersell District 9—it may not be the perfect thinking man movie, but damn—its devilishly cunning.

Review: District 9