District 9

District 9, The movie of rookie director Neill Blomkamp and produced by Peter “The Ringmaster” Jackson, is without a doubt, one of the best movies of the summer, and is one of the rare sci-fi movies that will make you proud of being a nerd. This movie did more than just keep me awake in my seat for an hour and 45 minutes, but it was so captivating, original, and badass, that it physically blew my mind (it is a very messy and embarrassing story, that I do not wish to share). Despite being a summer blockbuster, this movie was so different, and invented its own rules for storytelling.
Now, all movies have their flaws, and this is no exception. Some of the choices the director made I disagreed with, but apart from the small things I disliked, this movie was original, intelligent, cool, interesting, thought-provoking, and just simply oozing awesomeness. Let’s get to it.

STORY
Now it is difficult for me to say anything without spoiling the movie due to the fact that the trailers reveal very little. The story takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa, where alien life forms have landed, or rather, been stranded. They have been on Earth for over 20 years and probably will remain forever. All of this information and history of the aliens is told to us by several MNU (Multi-National United) officials interviewed for a documentary. One man, Wikus van de Merwe (Sharlto Copley), is put in charge of relocating all of the aliens to District 10, a more secure place, that is much farther away from the people of Johannesburg, who have become quite angry with the aliens living in their city. One alien, Christopher Johnson, realizes that they are not allowed to evict him from his home and refuses to leave.
And that’s really all I’m allowed to tell. I can say though, that this alternative world that is created is quite realistic because of the excellent detail, and the way they explain it (documentary format) is very well done. The entire movie is not shot that way though, only the first act, which I also liked. The first act of the movie, is an introduction, an explanation, and sets up the rest of the film while also serving as a different film on its own. As a documentary, it talks about the changes that are made when the aliens land, how they are treated, how the public feels, and how the government reacted. The alien discrimination was very interesting, and I think if the entire movie was a documentary about that sort of thing, it may have been worth watching (in a much different way than the actual movie). I enjoyed how they used the short documentary to give us an idea of what the government is like in the situation, and shows the aliens as more than just things from another planet, but as a similar race that, although not treated as such, seem very human. (I also think its hilarious that this discrimination is happening in South Africa[you know, in an ironic way. Discrimination itself is not funny and a major issue in today’s society and Spike Lee is currently holding a gun to my head telling me what to say]). So overall, first act is great, and I liked the documentary (and the camera is steadier than the Bourne movies. Thank God.)
Second act: development of the characters Wikus and Christopher. Though most of the stuff about this belongs in my review of the characters, I can say that the second act was very well done as well, moving the story along, and really getting you to sympathize with both characters, despite them being almost total opposites. Also, I’m not sure if it was because of the first act being a documentary, or the way the story in the second act was set up, but the pacing seemed to be slow at points. The movie was only an hour and 45 minutes but it seemed like it was a bit over 2 hours. I was never bored at any time in the movie, and it was never really “slow”, but it just seemed longer than it was. Regardless, second act is win.
Third act: This is what an action movie should look like. This was intense. What so many action movies tend to do (superhero movies are the worst with it) is that they have a good opening action scene, a action scene in act 2 that kicks ass, and then there is an anticlimactic battle at the end. I don’t think D9 really fits into the “Action” genre, and the final scene still left a boot print on the buttocks’ of many. It was so much action without ever being overwhelmed. There is no quick editing that ruins the scene, there is never a time when you can’t see what’s going on, and there is never a time when you feel disappointed or they had an opportunity to go bigger with the action and effects. 15 seconds into the scene, it was already better than anything Transformers 2 did. The effects were used perfectly and were far more real than what I’ve seen in any other movie. Blomkamp uses the effects without ever exaggerating them or relying on them, and that’s what makes these effects better than what James Cameron promised to us (I only use “promised” since it doesn’t seem like he’s actually going to give us something. Seriously, Mr. Cameron, after Terminator 2 things just went downhill didn’t they?). So overall, third act: A+.
Now complaints: Although it goes along with the realistic approach, I still think the writing is weak. A necessary sacrifice in order to be believable, but since writing always is one of the more important things for me, I just did not like it. But I’m putting this movie in a bad position since I’d be unhappy with it if it did have good and interesting writing since it wouldn’t fit. So really “good writing” changes definition with story, so it succeeds, it just ain’t my cup of tea.
The story is good; it’s just a bit deceitful. For the documentary, we are given something far different than the rest of the story. I would have liked it if the movie had focused a bit more on the alien discrimination, and the government’s greedy and selfish motivation for what they do. But in the end, its all there, just more subtle. And its not about that, its more of an underlying plot point. It’s really about Wikus and Christopher, and it’s pointless to say that there should have been more of the other plot since that would be a different movie entirely. So I guess its not an argument, just a suggestion for District 10.

CHARACTERS
Sharlto Copley as Wikus van de Merwe: First thing is first; he deserves an Oscar nomination. Now, the fact that this is the first time he has ever acted in a movie is beyond incredible since so few actors ever have a great performance in the first movie they are in (except for Ed Norton. Primal Fear. He is awesome.Bow before his might.) Apart from being sincere, realistic, and likable, Copley had to improvise most of the dialogue in the movie, only being sure to hit the beats Blomkamp wanted. This guy has skill. He can be funny one moment, tragic the next, intimidating, caring, and back to funny again within 10 minutes. He is able to develop his character through his actions and emotions, without ever really having to say something.
Jason Cope as Christopher Johnson: Jason Cope is the voice of the alien, Christopher Johnson (his immigration name of course). Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have to mention a CGI character, but this is the best CGI character since Gollum in Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings”. The character is so real, and obviously Copley’s ability to have a conversation with a ball on a stick the will later become a humanoid though special effects helps both performances. The conversations are so casual and ordinary, you really forget that one of the characters in the conversation was made by a computer. The creatures don't even speak English, but if you look at their beautiful faces, you feel everything they feel. The design of the creatures was also original (I know I’ve used that word 20 times now, but this movie just bleeds originality). The creatures “barbaric” nature, and morality give a different (original) take on other “intelligent life forms” and this is shown in the way they look. Dealing with drug lords and giving them weapons for cat food, going through garbage, prostituting themselves, and not taking care of themselves all becomes more believable when you see what they look like. Overall, I liked the way they looked. It’s not like they look like some stupid blue elves- Goddamn it, Cameron!
David James as Kobus Venter: The douche character of the film, Venter, is a mercenary who is hired to keep the aliens in line, and get violent if necessary. He is insane, brutal, and kills things without a second thought. Much like the military (Do you hear me Michael Bay! They aren’t Jesus with bullets!)
OVERALL
D9 is one of the best movies of the year. I absolutely recommend it to all people who are capable of watching violent movies. It’s the best at what it does, but what it does isn’t very nice (yes I just made a reference to Marvel’s “Wolverine”. Pardon me, I meant Disney’s “Wolverine”). It’s a movie that is very different, and original, and original, and also original. It’s a movie where you don’t know what so expect, and its better that way. I recommend you don’t read this review. It will ruin everything…Its James Cameron’s fault.
Final Rating: 8.5/10