Film Review: District 9

District 9 was one of my most anticipated movies coming into this summer. After my disappoint with Moon, I was still hopeful 2009 could produce a strong science fiction film.

I often talk about expectations going into a film. It is often the case that some prior knowledge or ideas about a movie can drastically alter the experience of seeing it for the first time. My viewing of District 9 was optimal because I had only seen the teaser trailer. I knew enough to be interested, but not nearly enough to impact my experience.

The surprise element was key, because I did not see any of the twists and turns coming. District 9 is not a somber, heady science fiction film in the vein of 2001 or Moon. It is an intense, racing thriller of the genre that consistently kept me in suspense. The first twenty minutes or so of set up were dripping with tension, followed by a blitz of pulse-pounding ferocity. I have trouble remembering a sci-fi film that used action so effectively.

A large part of the satisfaction of the action is that at no point did I feel the story was put on hold for a shootout. Amidst the explosions a plot was constantly being pushed. It is rarely contemplative, instead relying on undertones beneath the energetic presentation to tell a story of persecution. The story was often times just as intense as the action surrounding it, driven by phenomenal performance from lead actor Sharlto Copley.

His primarily computer-generated supporting cast was quite a sight to behold. District 9 has hands-down some of the best special effects I have ever seen. The aliens and environments are so well-crafted that they feel almost natural next to their human counterparts. Director Neill Blomkamp has an excellent handle on the gritty environment, and created a world that absorbs the audience so well that it makes aliens feel realistic.

To discount the intelligence of District 9 would be a mistake. Though it is extremely action-packed and full of raw emotion, there are still plenty of moral dilemmas proposed within the film. I appreciated its commitment to providing both explosions and expositions. It is simultaneously entertaining and thought-provoking, though it perhaps relies too much on shock value at times.

Though my thoughts have been glowing so far, I still have trouble rating District 9. While I loved the style, cinematography, acting, and story, I feel like the rush I felt in theaters will be lost upon further viewings. Still, its technical achievements are amazing in my opinion, and District 9 is an example of a creative and thoroughly innovative entry into the science fiction genre.

8.5/10