“District 9” is a gritty faux documentary that takes us to Johannesburg in South Africa to witness the momentous arrival of a towering alien spaceship. Instead of heavenly voices and benevolent, super-intelligent space brothers, us humans are greeted by a race of starving, diseased, crustacean-like creatures whose crumbling UFO has simply run out of gas. Unsure of what to do with these million or so wretched refugees, South Africa sets up District 9, an alien internment camp eerily reminiscent of the Apartheid-era slums. Apparently, they're just too “alien” to cuddle up to.
The aforementioned screwing of yourself is no longer of any concern to me, because frankly, District 9 is a smarter and more action-packed story than what you guys probably would have tried to get them to do with a Halo flick. My guess is you would've pushed for a PG-13 rating to get more people in seats. Also, you would have cast Brad Pitt as Master Chief, if given the chance. Instead, Jackson and Blomkamp went straight for the jugular with a very violent R, and then made the choice of casting one of Blomkamp's friends, a non-actor, mind you, in the lead role. I suppose you would find that to be a disaster, wouldn't you?…read more [ScreenJunkies]
And yet here sits District 9–the best non-Pixar film of the season, squatting amid the debris like a Tiffany's necklace in a landfill. To be sure, it remains a proud B-movie, with a concept cribbed from Alien Nation and held together by the remains of producer Peter Jackson's aborted Halo movie. And yet it brims with breathtaking originality, putting dozens of larger pictures to shame with its wit, soulfulness and imagination. The splat factor remains quite high, fully justifying its R-rating and capped by a spectacular extended fight which leaves the viewer exhausted. To a certain extent, such earthy pleasures are fully the point of the exercise. But District 9 refuses to be bound by them, girding its drive-in credentials with humanity, depth, and an admittedly obvious but deftly executed message about just how inhuman we humans can be…read more [Mania]
The film's South African setting brings up inescapable parallels with its now-defunct apartheid system of racial segregation. Many of them are obvious, such as the action to move a race out of the city and to a remote location. Others will be more pointed in South Africa. The title “District 9” evokes Cape Town's historic District 6, where Cape Coloureds (as they were called then) owned homes and businesses for many years before being bulldozed out and relocated. The hero's name, van der Merwe, is not only a common name for Afrikaners, the white South Africans of Dutch descent, but also the name of the protagonist of van der Merwe jokes, of which the point is that the hero is stupid. Nor would it escape a South African ear that the alien language incorporates clicking sounds, just as Bantu, the language of a large group of African apartheid targets…read more [Roger Ebert]
First, let me give a thank you to Peter Jackson for giving Neill Blomkamp the ability to make this film. Thank you Neill Blomkamp for creating the one of the best films of the summer and certainly one of the finest science fiction films in years. And as a film student, there's plenty going on to dissect and figure out how it was done. A great thank you to you both as well as all those who worked on the film.
District 9 is a true tour de force debut; it has a robust story, well-drawn characters, emotional, superb action, and solid direction and will keep you interested from beginning to end. It's a smart, socially conscious science-fiction film that requires audience attention and the audience thinking about the situations and what is going on. D9 is one of the best science fiction films of recent years and in my book, ties with The Hurt locker for being the best film of the summer...read more [Horror-Movies.ca]
Fanboys were orgasmic when producer Peter Jackson previewed District 9 at July's Comic-Con in San Diego. Variety tagged it the “thinking person's alien movie.” I'm assuming Transformers 2 is the stupid person's version. And since Michael Bay's attack on the human thought process has already grossed $380 million in the U.S. alone, District 9 has its work cut out. Smart sci-fi movies, such as Duncan Jones' Moon, are typically shuttled to the indie ghetto...read more [Rolling Stone]
When the movie begins, it has been decided that the prawns are to be relocated to District 10, an area far away from the city. Leading the eviction notification to the aliens is the newly appointed Wikus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copely, looking Bale-like but very effective inhis own right). It is while he is completing this task when a story begins picking up speed, and I think you less you know about this movie the better. In fact I may have already said too much...read more [MoviesOnline]
District 9 isn't exactly sci-fi for the ages– it's too unclear on what it has to say, and its story ranges too far within the meticulously created world without providing any real insight. But it's impressive not just as a debut, but as a new example of how to use original sci-fi as a mirror to our own world, and without $200 million budgets and space battles or even hobbits. Peter Jackson took the money he made making a faithful and beautiful adaptation, and has used it to fund something truly, remarkably original...read more [Cinema Blend]
Refreshingly, District 9 upends expectations that have been lowered over the years by remembering that human behavior is the most fascinating special effect of all, with the inexplicable motivations of alien creatures coming in a close second. The aliens, it must be acknowledged, are not examined in breathtaking detail — we don't learn about their home planet, the nature of their mission, or what exactly happened on the spaceship that caused it to stop in its tracks. Precious little of their culture is displayed; it can hardly be said that a voracious appetite for cat food and garbage defines a people. Are the ones stranded simply “worker bees,” as one human describes them? Or do they truly represent the best of their breed?...read more [Cinematical]
Sci-fi fans will spot similarities between District 9's premise and the 1988 film Alien Nation that starred James Caan and Mandy Patinkin, which was later made into a television series. In that film alien refugees became the latest minority in the multi-ethnic melting pot that is Los Angeles. Like that film, the aliens also arrived in giant flying saucer-like spaceships. But that is where the similarities end.
Whereas the aliens in Alien Nation were of the Star Trek-lite variety being played by human actors with spotted bald makeup, the aliens in District 9 are, well, truly alien. They resemble giant insects and are immediately dubbed “prawns” by the human populace. Their sheer alienness makes their integration into human society difficult – if not outright impossible. Soon the city of Johannesburg is littered with Apartheid era-style “Humans Only” signs. The alien designs – CGI creations by Peter Jackson's legendary New Zealand WETA effects outfit – while not particularly original are very well done...read more [SciFi Movie Page]
Original District 9 Short Film:
What crap review and quotes!
I’m a white guy living in South Africa and this movie and website write-ups are making the white South Africans look like Nazis.
I’m not going into some political debate about how the world view of South Africa is completely twisted.
There’s a simple eye opener: our current government, the one who fought “for freedom and democracy” and threw the country into financial and health chaos is communist, not secretly, openly. Yes, that means Mandela is Stalin. He wrote a paper called “how to be a good communist”, Google it!
Apartheid may not have been the best solution, but at least the whites AND blacks had good schools, hospitals, sanitation, strong economy … and today? A corrupt government, corrupt president, corrupt police force ……
Look at the highlights … http://www.africancrisis.co.za/
John I tottaly agree with you, being a South African myself, everybody seems to over look the reverse apartheid(BEE)towards a non black South African,but are quickly to bring up what our ancestors did to make South Africa a brilliant country in the past… I miss those days….
But thats besides the point…. I just wanna watch this movie is gonna be OFF DA HOOK!
Even if you agree with the Political statement of this film, it’s unwatchable. Badly written, directed and acted. The worst piece of $(#) I’ve seen in years.
I have to say this is one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. Political tripe with a Science fiction spin. Boring, stupid pretense, horible camera angles/shake/movement (a la Blair Witch project) makes it difficult to watch without feeling physically ill. Actually got up and left about 3/4 through. An absolute waste of $12.50 and two hours of my life… Save your money and rent it on Video if you must.
brad you need to get some intelligence then try watching the movie again because you obviously were to stupid to understand it. I will destroy your soul and eat your heart. prepare yourself my nigger fiending chud.
figures – a bunch of afrikaners panning one of the best sci-fi movies in years…and I mean literally years.
finally there is something worth watching for us sci-fi fans rather than this michael bay dribble – you want to talk about cra# then look at any movie he’s ever done… you can fill a latrine with them!
…like any of you had a more original idea
anyone who liked this film is not into sci-fi.
warmongering morons only like this film.
the lead guy was a non actor annoying twat. i had to turn it off after the first hour he was pissing me off so much.
all you likers of this film must be on medication that has warped your brilliant minds into vegetable soup.
yeah just another movie thats going to drive tons of people to the internet, so they can download a movie and watch it at home, instead of being ripped off @ the theater.
Horrible movie. I feel cheated out of my money and my time by slick advertising. I felt like I paid them to beat me over the head with ridiculous social allegories. I sat in the theater cleaning out my purse and wishing I could sneak out to the car and listen to the radio. Didn’t they review the footage of this before they released it? Shameful!
District 9 was a winner even if you regard the social commentary. It was suspenseful, action-packed and the acting was superb.
What is hilarious is all this hate toward the movie and people who enjoyed it. What’s up with that?
Uh, lolwot at Wes and John. I mean seriously. I’m a white South African. And you John,are talking the biggest load of bullshit about apartheid ever. The economy was shit by the time the ANC took over. Admittedly it is well known that the ANC does have socialist leanings, but just because they do does not make Nelson Mandela ‘Stalin’. Look, communism/socialism does not have to be evil. The ideas, while naive, could thearitically be worked into a society. Communism /= evil. ALL COMMUNISTS ARE NOT EVIL. Anyhow, I’m not a communist myself, and support the DA in elections. But just a point.
Ultimately, the movie is about how we treat each other. I am American, and have visited SA several times. Of course there are different viewpoints…just look at the reaction,for example, to the US attempt to reform healthcare much less how one interprets the movie’s politics.
But when you dissect the movie’s plot to its core, to me it’s about how horrible we can be to each other and how the only way we can truly relate to one other is to “walk in each others’ shoes.” Even then, some will refuse to empathize. The question is, “To be or not to be?”.
I thought this was one of the best films I’ve seen in a long time. I really hope a sequel, District 10, is about them coming back and kicking our ass
D-9 had a lot going for it — character development, great acting a at least a few people, awesome alien weapons; it felt a bit preachy at times throughout the movie though
I am not from South Africa nor America but from Uranus. Stop reading the reviews of idiots who are jealous they didnt come up with the idea for this great movie.
No movie is as bad as some of the comments listed above… well maybe a few like the last 2 Star Wars movies… but anyway you get my point.
It really is a good, solid, well written movie. If you dont want to pay $12.50 for a movie… then come to Texas where its only $9.00 :-) Just see the dam movie already, its great!
Not a bad movie but it kind of felt like it was a video game in the making.
I thought this was a good movie that used the stereotype of South Africa to its advantage.
Read my review at
http://www.williamleggett.co.uk/home/2009/9/6/district-9-the-review.html
D-9 was a good movie. Great plot and characters that made it awesome to watch. Will definately get the blu ray.
Truly the best sci-fi film I’ve seen in years! It makes me proud 2 be South African! You cant deny that its the best movie to ever come out of S.A. I dont care how critical you are! I loved this movie because it was truly entertaining from begining to end. Niel Blomkamp needs a well deserved pat on the back
I’m not South African, love scifi.
Great movie, really great!
I’d actually watch it twice, and I never do that.
Yes, the lead is an annoying moron for the first half, he’s supposed to be. You need to see the second half.
Political statement? It’s utter shite and that’s the bottom line folks. I can’t believe such an unbelievably bad idea was ever entertained for long enough to make it through to release as a feature presentation. This film has no redeeming feature, at the start it seemed like it may have some commentary on deep social issues, but no; it really is just awful. If you think this film is in any way addressing social or political issues then you are, for lack of a more polite term, a moron. Neil Blomkamp deserves a smack round the head, not a pat on the back. I hope to God I never have to endure anything as crap as that ever again. Fuck off Neil Blomkamp, just fuck off.
This movie is about how us humans treat other humans when we forget that they are also humans.
Common people, corporations, buroucrats, scientists and criminals, all of them treating the segregated ones as if they weren’t like them.
What do you do when you see a beggar asking for a coin on the street?
Do you ignore that person if you find out that it is your own brother, old friend or other kind of relative?
Do you give him a coin just to feel better with yourself neglecting that doesn’t help him for real?
Don’t you see the politicians using them, pretending to be helping them?
What makes someone that doesn’t have the same economic level, the same skin color or eyes shape or doesn’t speak the same language different and so alien?
This movie opens that wound in your mind. For a while. Then you back to normal. But you know this movie made a point. That’s what SciFi does when it’s well done.
Regards,
I’m another white South African, and read John and Wes’s posts with amazement and wonder. Amazement that they actually believe the crap that they’re spouting, and wonder that they haven’t emigrated to Australia with the rest of the Bittereinders.
White South African’s aren’t being portrayed as Nazis; human beings in general are being portayed as inhuman. Yes there is a nod to Apartheid, as there is a nod to the xenophobia of a year or two ago and a nod to the lunatic left with the “One prawn one bullet” phrase. All South African certainly, but that’s the point isn’t it?
It seems to me most commentators outside of South Africa miss several points about the movie:
Firstly, older white South African males (like myself) who were coerced by the former Nationalist Party government into joining the army will recognize the typical style of several of the military-type characters and the type of propaganda that was spewed out at the time. Wikus van der Merwe’s naïveté about the motives of the organization he works for is typical of the journalism of the time, as is the nepotism surrounding his appointment.
The second point being missed is that this movie is not really a true sci-fi movie at all, in the sense that the sci-fi genre originally concieved by the likes of Jules Verne was a means to contemplate how the future world we are going to live in will be affected by the proliferation of science and technology. District 9 does not look to the future but rather to the past …and to the present (much more than reviewers of this film acknowledges or perhaps realizes), and specifically the social ills of the present SA. Do take note that Nigerians crime syndicates did NOT exist in the old Apartheid era, but is a HUGE problem now, created by the present ANC government. Forced removals as depicted in this movie is very much a feature of the PRESENT South Africa, as much as it was a feature of the past. If you don’t believe me, go read this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abahlali_baseMjondolo
…and this…
http://www.abahlali.org/node/302
The latter is what I find most conspicuous in its absence in most of the reviews and commentaries. It seems that almost nobody outside of South Africa has noticed the connection the movie makes with the recent violent xenophobic clashes that took place between Zimbabwian refugees and the indigenous squatters. That is, I believe, why the budget for this movie could be so small – they did not have to spend a fortune on recreating the past; there are plenty of shantytowns dotted all over South Africa at present where they could shoot on location for free. The following link to an article covering the Zimbabwian refugee problem contains a photograph of the type of refugee camps the present government supplied to the immigrants – District 9 audiences will immediately recognize it:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/06/xenophobia_in_south_africa.html
In fact, I suspect that the filmmakers specifically used direct footage of their own, or maybe of a news bureau’s image bank, for the concentrationcamp shots. This feature of the film, please note, does not resemble anything from the Apartheid era. It does however hark back, if you do want’t to scratch in the more distant past, to the British concentration camps for Afrikaner women and children of the Boer War of 1899-1901.
I don’t think foreigners are quite aware of how bad the situation really is here for Zimbabwian refugees. In my hometown, Hartbeespoort, near Pretoria, Zimbabwians who have been driven out of the local squatter camps have taken to the wilderness concervation areas of the nearby Magalies Mountains, some sleeping under cliff overhangs, using makeshift barbed wire fencing to prevent the leopards from eating them. That is how desperate they are. This current reality hardly receives any media attention.
I think what makes the movie great is precisely the fact that it conflates features of the past Apartheid era with features of the present and thus demonstrates that there are big similarities between them. History is repeating itself!!
Foreign reviewers have furthermore in my opinion missed the point that the concept of ‘alien’ is not only applicable to the tensions between South African and Zimbabwian slumdwellers, but between South African slumdwellers and the ANC government who currently stands accused of grossly betraying their own struggle ideals and promises made to the poor, and also between them and the rest of South African society who seems to have abondoned them. The above links I gave clearly shows that, and its relevance to this film.
That is, I believe, why the budget for this movie could be so small – they did not have to spend a fortune on recreating the past; there are plenty of shantytowns dotted all over South Africa where they could shoot on location for free.
For this reason I agree that District 9 is one of the greatest films, if not THE greatest film coming out of South Africa ever. The dark satire is awesome.
The fact that everyone is taking the opportunity to air their own semi-educated, quasi-political points of view (some more than others) is a testament to how effective this film really is at inspiring a little thought. While the larger South African apartheid comparison is obvious, the film still remains open to interpretation…so what the reviewers have to say is often far more revealing of personal beliefs than anything the film itself supposedly set out to demonstrate about actual historical events.
If you are pissed off at the way this film depicts certain aspects of the story it means that it climbed into head and made you think. If you’re not prepared to question why it pissed you off then you’re better off zoning out to 100% pure eye-candy Transformer style.
Wow such mixed opinions . All in all this film was very good . Yes i understand some off the views but really come on its a movie and a cracking one at that Thank you all who took time to make it
I totally agree with L. Powell!
A friend loned me the dvd, and being as it had Peter
Jackson’s name attached, I gave it a watch. The fact that I didn’t like
the way it portrayed Nigerians aside, and that the main character was
completely unlikeable (aborting the unborn aliens, as he did near the
beginning) I watched on.
The funny thing is a Nigerian friend of mine said she thought this movie
was very good…but I have the distinct impression that at least part
of her reasoning is connected to the movie having been banned over
there, and her living over here…and she does watch some pretty
terrible movies too. And scoffs at actually well thought out psychology in good movies lol…I don’t think she reeeeally watches movies proper, when I’m not there, now I come to think of it hahaha!
…Anyways, a totally contemptible main character you would like to
kick…and then the director/writer suddenly starts trying to make us
feel sorry for this guy! It was, I think, on the third attempt to make
me feel sorry for this Nazi; having him phone his wife, that I just
turned the damn thing off (by which point I was feeling pretty
depressed).
If anybody wants to watch a movie attempting to put Nigerians in a bad
light. A film that also would try the patience of a saint with it, while providing
adequate reason to listen to The Verve’s The Drugs Don’t Work (or some such drivvel) and open one’s wrists….I’d
recommend this piece of sh!! lol!
…Not since I saw The Dark Knight have I felt so robbed (except I didn’t
pay for a ticket for this one – thank goodness – though I WAS robbed of
time and a happier mood!). Or been made to feel that my intelligence was
being grossly underestimated by a film writer/maker with “clever plots”
– gimme a break. This film is about as clever as a brick through a
greenhouse.
…Bottom line, I think I prefered TDK and I hated that stupid, poorly conceived, frickin film lmao!
Btw..I’d just like to add – for those who may be convinced to give this god awful movie a chance because of reading any of the comments some others have posted, such as: “If you are pissed off at the way this film depicts certain aspects of
the story it means that it climbed into head and made you think.”
Trust me…there really isn’t much to think about. That is, what people are refering to with such comments, can be thought about…in depth, in 2 seconds (or less). Do not be fooled into believing that this movie’s way of “giving you something to think about” means that it will provide you with any kind of intellectual challenge or subject material worthy of your consideration. Even the dumbest person on this planet (when thinking logically) would not try to convince you that this movie has any depth worth a damn.
I compared this film to The Dark Knight, as both the writers of this movie and that movie treat the audience as if we are stupid – continually ramming home the things they “want you to think about” over and over and over and over and over again – cause, well, you know…us viewers are all complete frickin’ dimwits with no brains and might not get the point otherwise lmao! Please….
Do yourself a fav and leave this turkey on the shelf ;)
This movie is about how us humans treat other humans when we forget that they are also humans.
Common people, corporations, buroucrats, scientists and criminals, all of them treating the segregated ones as if they weren’t like them.