It's the late-summer sensation that's appeared out of nowhere -- much like the massive spaceship that hovers above Johannesburg, South Africa, throughout its entirety -- but how good is the Peter Jackson-produced sci-fi thriller 'District 9'?Pretty damn good. Sci-fi lovers should geek out over '9,' one of the most original and inspired genre movies to hit theaters in years. The story is deep (the allegorical elements of extraterrestrials detained in refugee camps and treated like, well, fourth-world citizens, will be lost on no one), the creatures are supremely cool and scarily authentic-looking, and the action is relentless from the get-go.
That said, the movie has come dangerously close to being overhyped, if that's possible. It is not the second coming of 'Alien' -- it's got its share fair of flaws and action movie clichés (just die already, baldie!), not to mention that same docu-style aesthetic that divided audiences over 'Cloverfield,' and a not-so-nobly intentioned or even likable "hero" (breakout star Sharlto Copley, who's like a cross between Spike Jonze and David Arquette).
But there's more to love here than anything, especially a couple of truly endearing "prawns," as the aliens have been branded by Earthlings. I can't remember the last time I rooted so hard against humanity.
Reader Comments (104)
G at 11:55PM on Aug 14th 2009
I waited months for this movie to come out. Right after work today, we went to see it. I had high expectations for this movie. So what did I think? This movie is horrible. First off there is some where around what seems like 20 minutes of previews for other movies, some of them as bad as District 9.
Anyways, the Aliens look like Prawns, they even call them Prawns in the movie. They are constantly shaking the camera so you can't really focus on the movie. I have no idea why directors like to shake the cameras while they film movies, could it be because some of these movies suck!
Anyways, the idea for this movie is good. But the story line in this actual movie stinks. They have news reporters in the movie constantly telling you what is happening in the movie because it is hard to follow. The special effect are not that good either.
My friend and I left after 35 minutes, could not take it any more of it. We got a refund. A few other people left too.
On a scale of 1-10, 1 being bad and 10 being great, I would give it a 1.5.
I would not even watch this on DVD. I'd like someone else to make a movie with the same type of idea, but with a better story line.
Alonso at 12:13AM on Aug 15th 2009
I agree with you on most parts. For starters, the movie could have been A LOT better. The trailers were great. The scenes from the movie are trailer material but not movie material. Yes, the story line could have been handled better. It would have been better if Peter Jackson directed. King Kong was outstanding but this?
It should've been a movie. That interviewing stuff at the beginning made you think that Wikus was gonna fail and that it wasn't going to be a happy ending. They should've just left that part out. As well as the Cloverfield-style filming. This made me jump to conclusions and ruined the entire movie for me.
Oh and TOO MUCH GORE. Seriously, couldn't they have toned it down. I mean, seriously, WHAT WERE THEY THINKING.
I'll give it a 5 out of 10.
David at 3:07PM on Aug 15th 2009
The movie really gets good in the second half. It's one of the best movies I've seen in a long time - both entertaining and makes you think along unconventional lines as your relationship to the prawns develops. It's pretty hard to respect a review that only deals with 35 minutes of a movie when the real part of the movie is yet to come. You missed a really cool movie hope you spent your refund well.
Damon at 12:57PM on Aug 15th 2009
I honestly cannot believe what I am hearing from you people.
You didn't like the shaking? Seriously? If you haven't heard, the 'shaking' is a film making trick meant to submerge viewers more into the movie. If you were running from huge alien guns, would you're run be smooth and even? Get over it. You're either old or one of those people that don't belong at the movie theater anyways.
As for the reporters in the movie, these narrations were meant to give the impression that this film was merely a recap of what happened, a documentary if you will. As if someone interviewed all of these people, and then showed what happened in between. Sorry that this form of storytelling didn't follow your 'traditional' trends, but it's people like you that keep hollywood boring and unoriginal. This movie simply took its own route with creativity and in turn squares like you couldn't handle it.
Anyone who thinks that a battle between aliens and humans would be clean needs a reality check. This is why they have ratings. Read them. "Bloody violence" usually means that there is going to be some sort of, well, blood and violence.
As for the bad portrayal of humans? COME ON PEOPLE! This is EXACTLY what the director wanted you to feel! Let go of your 'Humans are always right' mentality and WATCH THE MOVIE. The main character was constantly swapping sides with doing right/wrong, and this kept you unsteady of how to feel about his actions. THIS IS GOOD MOVIE MAKING. The drama and suspense of what this character is going to turn out to do is exactly what a good movie needs. You need to LET GO and watch the movie.
I can see that most of you are incompetent in doing this, because once again, you are squares.
As for those of you saying it's racist, good god. You obviously have never seen a good movie, or even know what that means. Learn how to watch a movie you ignorant morons.
Left after 35 minutes? Really? Why are you writing a review, you didn't even see the movie so your thoughts don't even matter anyways.
Overall, you all need to quit sharing your opinions on this, because you truly are not anywhere near a movie goer. This movie was truly creative with a perfect method of storytelling well suited for the theme. The thoughts of rooting for the aliens and being unsure of our government really got people thinking about whats right and wrong. Your arguments for why this movie is bad are invalid, none make any sense especially coming from stupid movie watchers that have such 'template' movie opinions. Stick to your day job and quit thinking that you can write reviews. You can't.
pickle at 12:54PM on Aug 16th 2009
how can you say the story is bad when you only saw 25% of it?
James at 8:30PM on Aug 15th 2009
Anyways, like, anyways, your comments are like, sooo deep, man. You should write for the paper.
willi at 9:37PM on Aug 16th 2009
This movie was awesome!! I'd give it 9/10.
Michael Martin at 10:08PM on Aug 16th 2009
i agree with every word you said
Labluff at 12:45AM on Aug 17th 2009
Im honestly replying to this in the nicest way but you truly have NO idea what your talking about.
First off: trailers have nothing to do with a movie so that shouldnt have even been in the discussion.
Second: your prawns response made no sense. They're called prawns because they DO look like prawns. would you have preferred "lobsters"??
also: the camera did not shake at all. It looked professionally handheld. you want to see a shaky movie- go see Cloverfield and you decide the difference.
not done: the point of the reviewers is because this is...and bare with me... a mockumentary. A movie made to look like a documentary but its fabricated.
please do me one good solid and see that movie again. the aliens do work and humans beast the hell out of aliens. just go see it again.
Wickus Van De Merwe at 12:24PM on Aug 24th 2009
I'm sorry that you did not like my movie man. But you see, now that I'm a prawn I don't give a shit what you think. I'm making fat bank man, so piss off. Definitely no metallic flowers for you. And by the way, your taste in movies is IN YOU ASS!! When Christopher and his son come back in three years, we're gonna come find you rip your fuckin head, arms, and legs off...even if you DON'T belong to first battalion.
P.S. See, if you would've stayed for the rest of the film you'd see the punditry involved here but your inability to maintaiin an open mind makes that an impossibility. Maybe you should go work for the MNU. (LOL)
Toni at 4:04AM on Aug 22nd 2009
So you were one of those people who left (didn't get it). Maybe you should stick to chick flicks. Stay away from the anectdotal parallels that make us look at ourselves.
Dee at 3:55PM on Aug 22nd 2009
I agree HOT GARBAGE
rgodzich at 12:31AM on Aug 15th 2009
Just saw the late showing of it and very much enjoyed it. The aliens are well done , even if they do look like prawns. i liked that they behave in what are apparently non-human ways.
the shaking camera that one reviewer didn;t like, i think adds to the story and raises the level of tension.
Hope there is a sequel.
Ruxstir at 12:55AM on Aug 17th 2009
Awesome movie!! I was getting all upset reading all those bad reviews, someone had to set things straight! Anyway I loved how real the main character looked, one ordinary man and not a typical hunk. This movie was so refreshing and really good on so many leves!!
Jgrue at 1:20AM on Aug 22nd 2009
I agree with everything you had to say! and would like to add that. I loved it! The no name actors, the fact that the message is about racism! That it was a mokumentary... It was a perfect movie I give two harty thumbs up!!! Oh and I'm not sure that Anyways is correct grammar but I could be wrong. I think anyway is correct and it does not need to be a plural word. Just sounds/looks ignorant. =0)
Paula at 12:58AM on Aug 15th 2009
Was the worst movie I have seen in a long time. I walked out after the first hour or so. The movie first of all was hard to follow, the horrible portrayal of every human in the movie was uncalled for, and the filming was just bad. Half the time you could not tell what was going on because the reporter photographer was being knocked down and could not hold the camera still. BAD BAD BAD I was very disapointed. Don't know who is writing all the wonderful reviews, they must have invested money in this waste of time.
Dan at 8:15PM on Aug 18th 2009
You really should have held out for more than an hour. As far as human beings being the bad guy...Are you telling me that some of us ar'nt? I suggest you go see the movie again...watch the entire film then give a review.
PRAWN at 4:33PM on Aug 16th 2009
hey paula are you a filmmaker? Do you make films? Did you know that professional film makers know how to film movies and that everything they do is intentional? well if you didnt then theres film school 101 for you. THE MOVIE DOESNT WRAP IF IT ISNT SHOT THE WAY THE DIREDT WANTS IT. sooo if you didnt like the movie i hope you enjoyed wasting yer money. go watch daddy daycare.
cheers
Labluff at 12:45AM on Aug 17th 2009
Hold on, Paula. I'll agree with you on human portrayals but are you seriously going to sit there and say you wouldnt beat the spit out of an alien if it invaded earth and you were the government. also, a little knowledge: The aliens became the victors so Jackson wanted you to be on the aliens side which is why he made humans a-holes, so that the audience would root for the aliens and actually want them to escape earth.
jack at 10:28AM on Aug 17th 2009
Wow, both of you are wrong. I'll admit the first 35 minutes were really slow and even my mother did not know what was going on. But if you actually have a brain(which clearly neither of you do) you would realize that the way he portrayed the humans is very relevant to how our society works. Anything that is different we immediately condemn. We always look out for ourselves, and Wikus was a natural coward if you could not realize, yet he matured throughout the movie. The point of this movie was to show what is actually going on today in many nations. I agree with Damon if you are in the movie for 1 hour you are still not going to catch on to anything. Go see G.I. Joe if you want a meaningless action flick you morons.