District 9

Reviewed by Ryan & Matt:

Ryan: 3/4 peels

Matt: 3/4 peels

In this day in age, which is ruled by re-vamps, re-thinkings, re-makes, and re-imaginings of movies made 20 years ago, it is refreshing to see a masterful piece of original work. Neill Blomkamp brings us a scarily real story about aliens stranded in an unfamiliar world and forced to live a segregated life. It is safe to say that there are modern political undertones in througout this movie as well.

This movie begins with an Office-like montage of employees with quick cuts to riots and aliens, which comes off a bit corney and takes alot of time from the meat of the movie. For about the first 20 to 30 minutes, you are more likely to laugh or turn off the movie than sit on your couch and enjoy it. This fail in movie-continuity could be attributed to the rookie director, or any other number of factors which include an extremely complex background to the story, but I urge you to stick with this movie. You will love it by the end.

What came out in this movie, and struck me pretty hard, was a more twisted and heart wrenching version of Avatar. Many elements of native versus new comer, alien versus human, and what to do about those conflicts are ever present. Each movie also includes, to some extent, the main character leaving their own 'race' and befriending a new unknown. However, District 9 does this in an uncomparable way, something Avatar couldn't do. The main character in the movie is more believable, more real, than its counter part. The plot lines and back stories are deeper as well, we get a sense that the dilemma District 9's hero is in is dire and has to be reversed. Rather than in Avatar, where many details that would enhance the story got glanced over.

Take this movie for what it is, a beautiful sci-fi thriller that will pull at your heart. We'll be honest and tell you that the first part of the movie is clearly the first major movie for Blomkamp. When you get to the end, though, you will see the connections to its sci-fi counter part, and you will understand why it is better. Stay with it until the end and you will see that District 9 is possibly one of the best movies of 2009.

Leave us some comments, what did you think of the movie?