District 9 (2009, Neill Blomkamp)

The other day I went to see Elysium and that is how I knew director Neill Blomkamp and his previous work District 9. Indeed, I have heard of District 9, I just used to mix it up with 9, the film with Elijah Wood.

District 9

District 9 is set in South Africa. Johannesburg, June 1982: an alien ship landed on earth. The investigation team found sick-looking aliens inside it. Almost three decades later, the curiosity triggered by their arrival has turned into a wave of hostility. To solve the problem, the government turned to the multinational MNU (Multinational United) in order to relocate the extraterrestrials to a slum called District 9. Wikus van de Merwe, a MNU agent, appointed in charge of leading the mission was very enthusiastic to undertake the mission but during a raid on the field, Wikus caught an unknown virus. Therefore, as the infection is spreading, Wikus is held captive by MNU in a specific facility in order to test alien weapons which works only in presence of alien DNA. Wikus, becoming South Africa’s most wanted, managed to escape and found refuge in the only place wher he is safe: District 9.

Meanwhile, a criminal alien and his son are looking for a cylinder containing the fluid that is turning Wikus into a prawn. Their paths will cross.

Made with small budget, District 9 has class. The script stands. Now let's talk about some details: I know this may be insignificant but the fact that the story takes place in another location than California or New York is a good thing. Also, the aliens look different than what we expect them to be, and I liked that. If I felt a little uncomfortable with the documentary side of the film at first, I have to admit that the characters’ testimonies, the moving of the camera while filming the raid, etc have made it more realistic, which is seldom in an action/sci-fi/thriller film. If subjects like xenophobia and the reliance of the government on multinationals are implied, the plot is focused on the struggle of a human being who is hunt down by the corporation he works for as things went wrong.

Sharlto Copley and Neill Blomkamp

In a few words, District 9 is just excellent and I liked it.

SEE ALSO

The Adjustment Bureau

Equilibrium