Movie Review: 'District 9'

Opening in theaters today is District 9 but, yesterday I got the chance to watch a screening of the movie before its release. Before I continue, I must warn you guys that SPOILERS WILL FOLLOW. The movie is produced by Peter Jackson and written/directed by Neill Blomkamp.

As opposed to the movie's viral ads, this review can be read by both humans and non-humans.

The story follows a group of alien refugees in Johannesburg, South Africa in what is known as District 9, hence that's where the movie gets its name from. As humans become annoyed by the alien neighbors, known as "Prawns", they begin to riot trying to push the aliens out of our planet after 20 years. Contrary to this the governments don't want the aliens to leave because they want to use their technology and weapons.

Right off the bat in the beginning the movie focuses on educating the audience on what District 9 is along with other details on Multi-National United or MNU, which is a government agency. The movie progresses focusing on one person (Wikus van der Merwe) the most. Wikus is played by Sharlto Copley who does a terrific job in the film as he connects with the aliens and makes the audience cheer on the alien side...

The movie really manages to capture our attention as it takes us a bit deeper into the alien life and shows the audience that they too have feelings and thrive to survive. When the star of the movie teams up with a Prawn by the name of Christopher Johnson, the film is able to portray the aliens as almost human like in their own way.

Considering the movie is a low budget film it does great on the CGI front and does not give us fantasy like aliens or alien technology/weaponry. Instead we see weapons that, yes are more advanced than that of us humans but, look like a reasonable possibility. The weapons don't come in shinny bright colors, etc and, is what gives them that "real" factor.

All in all District 9 delivered on what it promised. It is indeed a new take on alien stories and gives the Sci-Fi scene something to be proud of. As for my rating on the film goes, I can say it deserves a 9 from a 1-10 scale, (10 being the highest) and no, my rating is not connected to the title in any way.

Considering the fact that director Neill Blomkamp made his feature directorial debut with District 9, I for one can't wait to see other films by him later down the road.

If you got to watch the movie already drop us a comment and let us know how much you liked it or maybe disliked it.