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• District 9 — for District 9
  Written by cosmobrown on 17.09.2009

  The story goes like this; Peter Jackson, the man behind the Lord of the Rings trilogy and general genuis, handpicked visual effects artist and music video director Neill Blomkamp to direct a film based upon the Halo video games. Unfortunately the financing fell through, but Jackson still wanted to work with Blomkamp, and so offered the South African $30 million to make the project of his choice. He decided to expand his short film Alive in Joburg. The result is District 9. We've been tantalisingly teased for months now with plot snippets and viral clues all over the internet, Cloverfield style, and the excitement and hype for this film is at fever pitch. While it isn't as impressive or original as Cloverfield, District 9 is still worthy of your time. Part political allegory, part science fiction, part action, part David Cronenberg-ian body horror, District 9 is an interesting melange of ideas and styles, some more impressive and effective than others. Initially adopting the documentary style, incorporating found footage, CCTV recordings etc, Blomkamp uses various visual styles to keep things interesting, and this opening third of the film is easily the most effective of the film. Anyone with a basic knowledge of modern African history will be able to connect the dots and notice the allusions in this film to the apartheid and racial segretation which elevates this above other similar films. These interesting and clever ideas seem to be ditched or forgotten about though come the films conclusion, as does the documentary style since we're watching events that are clearly not being filmed by CCTV etc, so the validity of the style is compromised. The film turns into an action movie, with computer game-like weaponery and lots of gore, and a buddy-movie mentality. It is enjoyable and well done, but it feels out of loop with what came before it. Acting wise, it's a mixed bag. Sharlto Copley is absolutely superb, even more impressive when you consider that this is his first acting job and that he's a visual effects technician by day. His character runs the gaunlet of emotions, and Copley handles it all with aplomb. The rest of the characters are mere cartoon caricatures. Initially, District 9 is a film with lots to say. It's an intelligent slice of science fiction, using the genre to say some interesting things. It does descend to your standard action movie staples come the end though, and the brains seem to be left behind. Well made, entertaining, at times thought provoking, District 9 should be applauded for trying something different within a tried and tested formula, but it is a disjointed film which could have been all the better if it stuck to it's initial convictions. It's still a supremely enjoyable, well made and exciting film, and better than 99% of the other films currently polluting your local multiplex.