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District 9 is a sci-fi film produced by Peter Jackson, and is the feature film debut for director Neil Blomkamp District 9 is based on a previous short film by Blomkamp that came about after Peter Jackson’s Halo adaptation fell through. So how does District 9 hold up as a sci-fi film?

Disctrict 9 tells a story of a mysterious alien race (dubbed “Prawns” due to their crustacean like appearance) stranded in Johannesburg, South Africa, where they are segregated and forced to live in the most horrendous of slums (District 9). The prejudice of mankind forces the Prawns to live in a most dreadful state.

The media makes them out to be criminals and degenerates (granted, some have become such things due to their more-than-hard living conditions, but most have just been unjustly vilified), and after the organization MNU (Multi-National United) takes control of District 9, they plan to relocate the Prawns to a new, even worse locale (which is to be District 10).

MNU recruits one of their field operatives, named Wikus van de Merwe, to lead the relocation of the Prawns, and confiscate any illegal alien technology (in truth, the MNU is really looking to study the alien weaponry, which coincides with the DNA of the Prawns and only works in their hands). Wikus, like most everyone else, doesn’t show the slightest bit of compassion for the Prawns or what everyone is doing to them. One of the aliens, “named” Christopher Johnson shows anger and disdain that he and his son are being forced into relocation. Amidst his evictions, Wikus van de Merwe stumbles across a lab of sorts where Christopher Johnson and another Prawn had been conducting experiments. Among these experiments is a canister filled with a mysterious liquid, which Wikus manages to accidentally spray on himself (personally, I would have kept my hands off of the thing).

At first, everything seems okay, but Wikus starts to suffer from strange side-effects, and realizes that he is slowly becoming one of the Prawns. And the MNU realizes they could use him as an experiment to find out how to use the alien weaponry. It is then that Wikus begins seeing things in a different light, and his only ally is (as you might have guessed) Christopher Johnson.

I won’t delve any further into the plot, but I will say that its deeper plot and characterization make District 9 one of the best and most standout science fiction films in recent years. Though unfortunately, some of its deeper meanings get a little lost in a bevy of (still entertaining) action sequences in the third act.

The visual effects of the film are another highlight. Granted, they aren’t quite as believable as Avatar, nor does the film do as much with them as The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. But when you take into account the film’s relatively low budget, the Prawns become an even greater visual achievement.

District 9 is also filmed in a “mockumentary” style, which also gives the film a more unique feel. It seems to somehow immerse you more into the world and plot of the film. This mockumentary style also makes the story progress in a more unique fashion.

I also must say I liked the Christopher Johnson character, I found it interesting and refreshing to see such an alien character treated like he was another human character. Obviously, his alien-ness is a major factor of the plot and themes of the film, but we get a more human side to him as well. Too often sci-fi features have alien characters that feel so bland, or each member of a collective alien race acts exactly the same, without any individuality. But the Prawns of District 9 are more human, some are good, some are bad, some are simply troubled, and they all feel like an actual race of creatures, instead of strange aliens with one collective mindset.

I also liked Wikus van de Merwe as a main character, as he seems to have more depth and character development than most sci-fi heroes. And he is made all the more believable by Sharlto Copley’s acting performance.

There’s something about the human/alien dynamic between the two main characters that gives the film another fresh take on sci-fi. Usually the alien character just serves as the “cool guy” of the group of primarily human main characters, District 9 instead has a human and an alien both fighting for survival, and both are equal characters.

As a whole, District 9 is a wonderfully refreshing and unique take on the sci-fi genre, and an all around great movie. True, the latter parts of the film begin to stray a little too far into a series of action sequences at the expense of the better story structure of the earlier parts of the movie. And the deeper themes of the film also seem to take a backseat towards the end. But I’m not about to write it off because of it.

I enjoy good sci-fi, but too often I find it bland and riddled with techno-babble, and they too often seem to lack the creativity that you would think should come with the territory. But District 9 is the kind of movie that reminds me why I like sci-fi, an original plot, creative storytelling and a unique style.

And considering this is the directorial debut for Neil Blomkamp, I have high expectations for his next film. And District 9 more than makes up for a lost Halo film (especially when one considers how awful video game to film adaptations usually end up being).

Always remember a smile is cheaper than a bullet.

(1 votes, average: 8.00 out of 10, rated)

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