District 9

South Africa 2009, 112 minutes
Dir. Neill Blomkamp
Genres: Science Fiction, Drama, Action/Adventure / Invaders

Feat. Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, David James

Aroview: Superb sci-fi blockbuster from first-time writer/director Blomkamp, set in an alternate-reality Johannesburg where an extra-terrestrial race have been forced to live in slum-like conditions by humans who demand segregation.

The director shakes up the allegory with the introduction of Wikus, an aliens-relations officer who finds himself inextricably drawn into the alien's world. Newcomer Sharlto Copley's Wikus is a remarkable, unlikely sci-fi hero who manages to remain sympathetic even while clinging onto his last shreds of bureaucratic ‘morality’, his entirely improvised(!) performance complimented by grimy, faux-documentary camera work which unnervingly evokes newsreels from history class. A Wingnut production, this bears the stamp of producer Peter Jackson's special effects muscle and the spirit of his gloriously schlocky early work.

Member Reviews

Average rating (Very Good). Showing 1-5 of 5 member reviews.

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4 stars (Very Good) The apartheid message in the film is just a little too obvious to be deeply meaningful, but the visual effects are unique and spectacular, and the acting keeps the alternate-reality grounded and believable. ~Tom H
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5 stars (Exceptional) Although it seems to tackle Apartheid on the surface, this clever sci-fi seems more pre-occupied with the issues of immigration and racism in general. Sort of like Moon not actually being about the future issue of helium-3 mining. ~dr.strangelove
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5 stars (Exceptional) A wonderfully original and clever sci-fi, with stunning special effects and an absorbing performance from Copley. ~Wizzums
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5 stars (Exceptional) ~Anon
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2 stars (Good Try) I liked it a bit better the second time around but the wobbly camera was a distraction, unnecessary and irritating. The set designers and alien makers deserve the extra star. ~Tubbs