District 9-Movie Review 06/05/2010
Posted by Films to consider in Australian, Movies, Science Fiction, South African language film, Thriller.trackback
District 9 (South African/Australian) 2009
Among numerous other awards and nominations:
Nominated, Best Picture; Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Visual Effects; Best Editing, 2010 Academy Awards
Nominated, Best Screenplay, Golden Globes
Directed by Neill Blomkamp
Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
Produced by Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) and Carolynne Cunningham
From the very first moments of this sci-fi film, filmed on location in South Africa, I was taken in by it. Presented as a mix of documentary and storytelling, the premise is that a spaceship full of about one million ailing aliens hovers above the city of Johannesburg. Humans take them off the ship and extend humanitarian aid – for a time. More than 20 years later, with the alien population nearly doubled, the authorities decide they must be moved away from the city. Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley), intent on doing his new job at Multinational United (MNU), is in charge. He gets a lot more involved than he planned.
A chilling and, for the most part, subtle commentary on human nature. Film 2 is mentioned in the special features, and I’m looking forward to it.
Caution: Rated R for bloody violence and pervasive language (although the violence is abstract enough that I didn’t find it disturbing)
112 min.
For more information about the film:
http://www.d-9.com/
FILMS TO CONSIDER 
I loved this movie (and i’m not usually a big fan of loud, explosive sci-fi type things)! Sharlto Copley was so compelling as the clueless and unquestioning bureaucrat who finds himself suddenly in the middle of a horrific situation.
Yes, he was great. That’s why I’m looking forward to a sequel. How’s he going to get himself out of this?
DB