District 9
District 9 (2009)
Image From IMDB
District 9 was one of the best experiences I ever had in the cinema. The energy, the Prawns, the insane and probably realistic take on an inferior alien race landing on Earth, Sharlto Copley unhinged performance as MNU representative Wikus Van De Merwe, and the outrageous gore… I’d seen very little like it. Violent sci-fi mockumentary at its absolute finest. Wholly unique. All these years on, I still feel all of that from it, it’s superb.
District 9 is crazy from the offset as the cameras take us around the alien slums in Johannesburg and the MNU’s plan to ‘legally’ evict the aliens to what amounts too a concentration camp after their thirty years on the planet. The language used as they talk about the aliens is absurd, and the MNU’s methods disgusting, but honestly, what do you expect. The parallels to apartheid are plentiful, but the film never bogs itself down in that…
… Instead, it’s actually a lot of fun, mostly due to how outrageous Wikus is. He’s almost juvenile at times, but tries his best to take control when he needs too. Him telling you via the camera crew in the documentary style how they’re conning the aliens using cat food is absolutely shameless, and I loved it. He’s a dick, and the story kind of becomes whether he can be considered a loveable dick, or someone who got what he deserved.
The world building is incredible, with the slums looking all too real (my guess is they are) The ‘Prawns’ aka aliens, design is amazing, and their movements and language excellent. I love that they have these insane weapons as well which seem like they‘re straight out of a video game. Why they need half of them who knows, but its a lot of fun seeing heads explode like bloody watermelons.
Despite its bombastic ADHD nature the movie does actually have a fair bit of heart to it as we watch the aliens trying to find a way home. Then, there’s Wikus journey as he slowly transforms into an alien, and finally begins to see them as life rather than a problem. Your anger builds as the human characters become more cruel, especially when, as a viewer, you know the aliens just want to get the fuck out of there and go home.
The effects still look great, and I love the ship looming over the city throughout. The body horror aspect is disgusting and amazing, while the nasty humour still works a treat. Everything about this chaotic movie comes together so well. There truly isn’t anything like it. This should have been the beginning of a long wonderful career for the director Neill Blomkamp, and while he’s done decent work since (Elysium and Chappie) this remains his finest to date.
We need more unique movies like District 9. While the handheld, somewhat mockumentary, style itself may not have been unique, the presentation and story told was. It’s a fine example of what can still be done in the genre without the need of outrageous budgets and superheroes. District 9 is an absolute riot, and will forever be a favourite.
