District 9

Often with summer movies, studios unleash marketing campaigns more grandiose and bombastic then the films they represent. Rarely are we subjected to carefully calculated and subtlety fascinating viral advertising that actually compliment and in some cases improve the experience of the film. But the latter is certainly the case with District 9, that's slow build of buzz has been due to pure intrigue and creativity not the promise of an effects laden blockbuster.

District 9 presents every element one would hope for in a science fiction film; an original story, credible effects, action and competent direction and acting to hold everything in place. Even for those drawn in with the promise of alien fuelled mayhem they will find so much more in the way of intellectual stimulation, even if it is on a subconscious level. For first time South African director Niell Blomkamp, he creates his vision without interruption. It contains an un-linear, documentary style narrative, boasts no name stars and features segments of brutally bloody violence. On all accounts, District 9 could have been a disaster, but the pure audacity and overall quality of the film fuels it through the barrier of mainstream scepticism and into the realm of both entertainment and apt societal message.

Boasting only one main character, by the name of Wikus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copley) District 9 could have felt monotonous if it were not for the delicate humanity given to the alien visitors, named 'The Prawn' which ultimately makes it far more of an ensemble piece. The aliens of the ghetto called District 9 came to Earth decades ago, found malnourished and dying in their empty spaceship which hovered over the city of Johannesburg. Now Van De Merwe, a chief consultant for defence contractor MNU, has been tasked with relocating The Prawn to a new camp further outside the city limits. But disastrous complications of this eviction make Van De Merwe a fugitive from MNU and an outcast from his friends and family which forces him to turn towards the only allies he has left, the aliens.

Like most tentpole summer releases, the special effects here are outstanding. What makes District 9 so compelling is how flawlessly they are integrated into a realistic context and how these CGI creations exhibit all the genuine emotions of their real life human equals. The success of this film further puts to shame films like Transformers thats bland soulless, machine like story becomes colder and less interesting with each passing second. The social commentary of Apartheid and racism toward the Prawn as they live among humans is kept to the background and never becomes preachy. District 9, is above all else, a pure science fiction film.

For those who may grow restless with the human driven elements of the opening half will certainly be enthralled by the stunningly choreographed and brutally violent action packed finale. The characters are by no means forgotten by the ending as the closing scene boasts an aura of hopefulness, while being touchingly tragic. If District 9 is not the best movie of the season then I will be greatly surprised, and regardless of if it is surpassed in these final weeks, this film is an impressive infusion of genuine heart, creative intelligence and summer movie fun.

© 2009 Simon Brookfield