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So this little movie called DISTRICT 9 opens today, and Capone says it's the summer's best!!!

Published at:  Aug 14, 2009 8:14:39 AM CDT


Hey, everyone. Capone in Chicago here.

I've seen this film twice now, under fairly similar circumstances in two different cities, and I'm really dying to see this very different take on the "alien invasion" style of film plays to a paying audience that really has no idea just what kind of film DISTRICT 9 transforms into before your very eyes. I'm tempted to keep this review extremely short. I've said this before about other films, but in the case of this one, I think it's crucial that you know as little going in as possible. What you have seen on the film's various websites and different commercials and trailers is certainly a part of what DISTRICT 9 is about, but the marketing people for this film have been almost incomprehensibly wise about not showing too much. And what they have shown you isn't even a fraction of the most interesting elements of this seriously well-made science fiction epic that combines politics, social commentary, aliens, extreme cartoony violence, and one of the best classic Hitchcock-ian, wrong-man-pursued plots in recent memory.

At the very least, I can talk about the setup, which has been fairly well documented. This is an alternate version of Earth. The events of DISTRICT 9 do not take place in the future; they take place here and now... just a different version of here and now. Set in and around Johannesburg, South Africa, the film begins as a documentary about an enormous alien spacecraft comes to Earth and hovers right over the city and does absolutely nothing. Humans being humans, we decide to got cut our way into the craft, and what we find is about a million worker bee aliens with no leadership and a great deal of illness running through their ranks. The South Africans transport the sick and malnourished creatures to the surface, and take care of them like good Samaritans should. Humans put the aliens in makeshift camps in South Africa's District 9, as the rest of the world tried to figure out what to do with all of these aliens. This was nearly 20 years ago.

What's kind of brilliant about South African director and co-writer Neill Blomkamp's feature debut is just how well thought out this universe is and how scarily parallel it is to both his country's system of apartheid and to human nature in general. The aliens are grotesque-looking, insect- or shellfish-like beings (I know none of that makes sense, but it will when you see it), but since they've been around for a couple decades, no one reacts to their disgusting looks at all. There are also plenty of people who understand their language and the aliens seem to understand ours. We don't speak each other's dialects, but there's an understanding. I also like that no two aliens look exactly alike. Some have started wearing a few bits of clothing, or painted things on their bodies. They have slightly different shapes and sizes. So often in movies involving aliens, all of the aliens look alike. Humans don't all look alike, so why should aliens?

But getting down to the nitty-gritty, these aliens (who are never given a name beyond the derogatory term "prawns") are an oppressed people, and, as most oppressed people do, they get angry and begin to fight back. A black-market trade is firmly established, crime is rampant, and when it becomes clear that the aliens are never going to leave, the South African government decides to instigate a policy of forced relocation to somewhere much further away from Johannesburg city limits to what are essentially concentration camps. Enter Wikus van der Merwe (played by South African filmmaker and infrequent actor Sharlto Copley), a field operative for Multi-National United (MNU), who has been put in charge of making sure all of the aliens are given notice as their relocation with as little violence as possible (it doesn't help that he has a military escort). Wikus is an uber-bureaucratic nerd who has been around these creatures most of his life, and seems to have a combination of empathy and contempt for the prawns. While going house to house in District 9, Wikus discovers a cache of alien weapons (not that uncommon in this area), including one device that changes his life forever and makes him the most wanted man in all of South Africa and possibly the world.

In a strange but ultimately wise decision, director Blomkamp decides to go back and forth between a documentary style and more traditional filmmaking. There's a real naturalistic feel to the entire scenario that makes the experience watching DISTRICT 9 seem just that much more nerve wracking. The way the giant alien craft hovers in the distance of many outdoor shots, the way scientists attempt to weaponize the aliens and their technology (the weapons are devised only work when they detect alien DNA using them), and even just the way the computer-generated aliens seamlessly interact with the human characters. You'll forget in about 15 minutes that you're watching creatures that aren't real.

And then there's the final third of DISTRICT 9, which is essentially a non-stop war among the aliens, the MNU military agents and the Nigerian underworld, which runs the black market in the alien district. Oh, the blood does flow spectacularly. In these scenes, Blomkamp shows you his balls, just pulls them out and waves them in your face, and dares you not to be impressed with their steely nature. He has a terrific sense of staging action while making sure things stay clear to the audience. I never lost track of where all the players were in the geography of District 9. It's difficult not to be impressed with the fluid nature of the battle scenes, all shot with handheld cameras that may make those of you unlucky enough to sit in the first couple of rows a little dizzy.

For me, it was the second viewing of DISTRICT 9 that revealed some nice details in the background. Very few of the effects shots have a spotlight thrown on them. They are meant to blend in with reality and not call attention to themselves by being too big and/or loud. I also love that the film doesn't forget to be fun. Before his life gets completely turned around, Wikus is the film's primary source of comic relief. And Blomkamp doesn't forget to include a slew of "Oh shit!" and "Hell yes!" moments. Above all other things, DISTRICT 9 is endlessly entertaining. In some ways, Wikus' arc reminds me of the absolute hell that characters in producer Peter Jackson's BAD TASTE and BRAINDEAD go through, complete with hardcore, brutal, gore-infused violence that will probably make you giggle with excitement more than repulse you.

Per usual, I've said too much, but don't worry there's still so much to discover in the world of DISTRICT 9. I don't even know why you're reading this; you know you're going to see this three or four times in theaters and then go buy the DVD the day it comes. Yes, folks, it's that good. And I think without anticipating it, I've stumbled upon my favorite movie of the summer of 2009. I love when that happens.



-- Capone
capone@aintitcoolmail.com
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    Readers Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:17:06 AM CDT

    seeing it tonight.

    by gatsbys west egg omlet

    won't read this till later.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:24:21 AM CDT

    Got any more reviews, Capone?

    by juansanchez

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:25:43 AM CDT

    Going in about 2 hours

    by cletus van damme

    Can't wait

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:26:45 AM CDT

    District 9...Fuck Yeah!

    by future help

    tonight baby!
    the only other movies i liked this Summer (and i have seen all): Star Trek, Hangover, Dram Me To Hell and even G.I. Joe. FUCK T4 and Trans2...two of the biggest pieces of shit ever.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:28:31 AM CDT

    Indeed

    by joker2thief

    It's great when you think the summer's over and the next good film is 5 months away, and then you get blindsided by a gem like this. Can't wait.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:37:33 AM CDT

    closeup picture of the alien design:

    by ironic_name

    http://tinyurl.com/ls7xnk

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:38:48 AM CDT

    Please don't suck...

    by ironmuskrat

    I am so pumped for this movie, I just hope it lives up to my expectations and the hype.
    This movie is number two on my list of Sci-Fi movies to see this Summer. At least District 9 is in wide release. My number one movie to see is Moon, but I cannot find that being shown anywhere near me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:42:44 AM CDT

    So this year's Cloverfield

    by filmcoyote

    is better than Ponyo? Interesting. May have to check it out after all. Wasn't psyched for this particularly.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:48:51 AM CDT

    FUCK MY EYEBALLS

    by redfist

    FUCK EM FUCK THAT SHIT.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:51:56 AM CDT

    Seeing that pretty much every review

    by series7

    Says, that's all I want to tell you. I think I am going to stay away from reviews from this one till I see it. Its already got my money.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:57:29 AM CDT

    Please don't suck. Please don't suck.

    by 1fearlessjay

    I've been burned too many times this summer District 9. Please be gentle.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 9:01:15 AM CDT

    It is as I thought..this is the scifi movie to watch. Fuck Avat

    by basement_cheetoh_eater

    This is a REAL film..not a gimmicky 3D CGI humpfest relying on artificial internet buzz to generate interest. Bravo to the director for a brave and glorious film. Huzzah mother fucker!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 9:07:43 AM CDT

    Capone I love ya but you said BENJAMIN BUTTON was 2008's best

    by yackbacker

    Eric Roth is a self-plagiarizing hack. Thankfully D-9 is original and there's not a smidge of FORREST GUMP to be had here. But so far 2009 has been a wasteland of cinema. D-9 may be this year's best so far but it did not eyeball-sex me up. It's a good movie, flawed in some big ways, and it is a worthy premise for a sequel. Yeah, probably the best of the year in that respect! :P

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 9:09:58 AM CDT

    This movie is awesome.

    by ator

    Saw it in Minneapolis last night at the AICN screening. Easily the best SciFi movie I've seen this year. (and that's after really digging Start Trek)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 9:10:26 AM CDT

    Shaky Cam?

    by parishiltonsratdog

    Is this another one of those Cloverfield type shaky cam movies? I'd love to see this in the theater but I can't stand shaky cam as it makes me violently ill....

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 9:26:08 AM CDT

    LEGENDARY FILM

    by lotor666

    This film fucked all 20 eyeballs in the cinema I saw it in... PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR ABOUT THIS FILM... WORD OF MOUTH PEOPLE!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 9:28:17 AM CDT

    ParisHiltonsRatDog....

    by ator

    It does have some of that, but nowhere near the amount that Cloverfield or any movie about Jason Borne had. You really only have to endure a couple seconds of it every once in a while. (that I remember, but I wasn't paying too much attention to that.)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 9:35:29 AM CDT

    Thank God SOMETHING this summer doesn't SUK

    by zombieheathledger

    UP didn't suck either, though.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 9:44:41 AM CDT

    Best of the summer ... or of the year (thus far)?

    by ripvanmarlowe

    District 9 blew me away ... definitely get out and see it. Here's my full D9 review (sorry for the shameless self promotion but someone's gotta do it) -

    http://tinyurl.com/pqsuuo

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 9:47:32 AM CDT

    Dragging my wife kicking and screaming tonight.

    by mr soze

    This has got me over the top excited. You can't help not loving all of Blokamps short stuff he's done. Pete Jackson know's what he's doing. And as far as the other talk backs about District 9 saying Blokamp should do World War Z, I'm all for it. Give this guy a 100 million to play with and prepare to get your balls blown off.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 10:04:43 AM CDT

    Where's the John Quade obit/talkback?

    by grammaton cleric binks

    Papillon, Outlaw Josey Wales, Every Which Way But Loose, Any Which Way You Can, and more 80s tv appearances than you can shake a stick at. Get on it before the Black Widows come for you. Hit it LordofHell.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 10:06:53 AM CDT

    Agreed, this summer SUCKED

    by jimmy_009

    One of the worst for movies in a long time. Or maybe last summer just put up a standard to high for some shit-kicker movie line-up like this summer's. Star Trek was a big let down, Transformers 2 was downright retarded. The only really solid movies I saw were Drag me to Hell, Up, and Moon.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 10:27:37 AM CDT

    Seattle Screening

    by gavdiggity

    Saw this last night, and yes, it's really, really good. I wont go into details, but the story was presented in an emotionally complex way. It's gross, grotesque, funny at times, and unlike I've seen in quite some time.
    I hope this makes a pile of money (it probably wont) so douchebags in Hollywood will start making smart action movies. And make no mistake, there's plenty of action in this.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 10:28:00 AM CDT

    2009=SHITTIEST SUMMER(FILM-WISE) EVER

    by idrinkyourmilkshake

    This is that one redemptive film that makes you realize WHY you love movies again.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 10:29:21 AM CDT

    DEAR HOLLYWOOD,

    by idrinkyourmilkshake

    Show Neil B.ALL th respect he deserves and GREENLIGHT any original idea he has.Please keep shitty sequels and remakes the fuck away from him( he's TOO good for it)-and have Sharlto work with him again.(perhaps a comedy?)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 10:35:27 AM CDT

    SOP: the better movies come out later in summer

    by kabong

    after the slop has been served.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 10:39:56 AM CDT

    AICN official hype..

    by vossler

    states that District 9 is the best film of the year....maybe. First act was solid gold though.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 10:49:15 AM CDT

    Ator - Thanks

    by parishiltonsratdog

    Looks like I'll be shelling out some cash tonight. I love me some really good sci-fi that doesn't suck balls!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 2:10:54 PM CDT

    Up and Drag Me To Hell...

    by bones

    The only good movies I have seen this summer. Which is horrible, because I have seen other films this summer (Couldn't get to see MOON, though...shit!)and were just horribly disappointed.
    Compare this with Ten Years ago, when we at least got The MATRIX, The Mummy (dumb fun even now), American Pie(like you didn't laugh), Mystery Men, Sixth Sense, South Park, Blair Witch, Dick, The Iron Giant and even Austen Powers 2 to make up for the disappointment of Phantom Menace--but even that had the glow of the first two weeks of fandom about it.
    Go back 20 years to the AMAZING summer of 1989 with Batman, Indy 3, The Abyss, Leathal Weapon 2, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Dead Poet's Society, Henry V, Do the Right Thing, Casualties of War--and of course, CHUD II: Bud the CHUD.
    We can blame the Writer's Strike all we want, but really I think it just comes down to making Bad Expensive Movies--everyone is so caught up in the mindset of Opening Weekend Grosses, that they frontload these movies with expensive special effects, driving the prices of the movies up--rather than make more moderately priced movies with better stories that can stand the test of time. If films were less expensive then more of them would make their money back and be considered sucessful, showing Hollywood it would be alright to take more chances.
    Ah well, what can you do?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 2:11:53 PM CDT

    Oh yeah--here's what you can do:

    by bones

    Get everyone you know to go see District 9 this weekend!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 2:37:03 PM CDT

    Just Saw It

    by dkurina73

    In a word--incredible. District 9 met and exceeded all of my expectations--best film of the summer...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 2:45:25 PM CDT

    idrinkyourmilkshake

    by fight the new world order

    No my friend. The summer of 1998 was much worse. Armageddon was biggest movie that summer. Did I forgot to mention Godzilla also came out that summer. Those are two of the worst movies i have ever seen.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 3:16:40 PM CDT

    Saw it last night...

    by blayne

    Amazing. Not the flick I thought I was going to see.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 4:21:14 PM CDT

    DIS 9 was a visceral kick in the ass!

    by captainstimpy

    Saw it in Seattle last night & was blown away, better than expected. Even my wife (non Sci-Fi fan) loved it. Watching it I couldn’t believe this movie only cost $30 million to make – seamless, natural CGI. I was completely involved in the story, no distractions like well known actors, & (studio) forced love themes. It all fit. Did I want to see more? Hell yes! Do I want to see a sequel? Hell no! The problem w/ a sequel is that the studios will fuck it up, I’m sure of it. Obviously this was an unfettered vision of a talented director - that hardly ever happens twice to a director when Hollywood gets involved. This movie & UP are the saving graces of the summer. Get out there and see it (more than once)!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 4:39:10 PM CDT

    Mini Review

    by koyaanisqatsi

    As if any of you care here's my take. Excellent film, easily a million times better than any Halo film could ever be and yet...Despite absolutely phenomenal first and second acts the third act it all kind of becomes unhinged. Surprisingly, it's very conventional and dare I say it pretty predictable. The effects of the final battle were great to be sure but it's nothing you haven't seen before. The third act prevents it from being scored any higher than an B but it's a really damned high B++. Everyone should see it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 6:23:22 PM CDT

    fight the new world order

    by iwatchmovies

    I would take Armageddon over 99% of the crapp they call movies today.
    It was a fun summer popcorn flick.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 6:40:53 PM CDT

    There was a thing that happened at the end

    by cherryvalance

    one of those little things, that I absolutely loved. I'm not going to say what it was but it was a quick thing that was as cool as when the Ent put himself out in the rushing water at the end of FOTR. The whole movie was like that. It's like everytime you think 'I hope they do this', they did. I agree that it's the best of the year, by far.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 6:46:42 PM CDT

    Awesome! Just Completely Awesome!

    by durikaj

    Forget Transformers. Forget GI Joe. This is THE action film of 2009! The only film I've enjoyed more this year is The Hurt Locker.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 6:58:48 PM CDT

    How come no one is mentioning the similarity

    by v3d

    between "District 9" and "Alien Nation"? I'll see this and it probably is great. But it's been a bit odd reading Peter Jackson in interviews go on and on and on about how original this premise is when "Alien Nation" came out over twenty years ago. New twist but old idea.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 7:00:34 PM CDT

    Hurt Locker is Better

    by doodler

    but Capone's gotta get all hyperbolic on District 9's ass

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 7:02:36 PM CDT

    CherryValance

    by doodler

    can you give us a hint? i saw the flick, but i must've missed it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 7:15:31 PM CDT

    Well...

    by michyfergi5

    Just saw it and it kinds didn't live up to the hype. There were a number of cheesy effects shots, and there was a stupid little alien kid who was a fairly major character. by no means was this a bad movie, but the year's best? Nah. I think this'll go down as another okay movie that with time people will realize wasn't all that great.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 7:34:56 PM CDT

    doodler

    by cherryvalance

    What they did to the bad guy. People always threaten someone with "I'm gonna -i- -ou- -ea- o--!" but they never do. (the dashes are all consonants). :)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 7:52:24 PM CDT

    Um... what fucking cheesy effects shots?

    by jacklucas

    Name one. I challenge you. These were without a doubt the BEST effects of any film since Jurassic Park. I was fucking actually LOOKING for the seams. Not there. Yes, if you are REALLY wanting to pick into it, you can. But this thing blew my fucking mind completely.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 7:56:21 PM CDT

    gonna see it

    by slkboxrman

    but lay off armageddon and godzilla....i loved both of them, even tho i think matthew broderick weighed down godzilla because he simply cant headline a movie...bruce willis movies are for the most part always awesome.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:23:48 PM CDT

    Zack snyder take note

    by bendersshinyass

    This was the gritty, yet fun, story i was expecting from watchmen. George lucas also take note - the visual effects were REAL-like. some of those visuals were jaw dropping

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:42:26 PM CDT

    god call on the Bad Taste comparison

    by awepittance

    I was thinking the same thing.

    i have to disagree though about how well staged the action was in the final war scene, i thought Neil did more impressive action staging/cinematography in his Halo short as far as guns blazing goes. Although the amazing amount of blood explosions and body parts was a definite bonus.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:42:48 PM CDT

    FX were NOT seamless

    by coolhive

    Loved loved loved the movie, but let's be honest. The FX were NOT seamless. They matched up well with the action most of the time, but there were quite a few shots where the aliens walk didn't quite match the speed they were moving. Plus, as in all CGI, at times they didn't seem to have weight to them. And by weight, I mean a gravitational relationship with their mass and the ground, if that makes sense. (Which is why Transformers sucks and GI Joe is laughable.) Still, all in all, a fantastic movie in an abysmal summer.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:50:08 PM CDT

    WOW! District 9 is REALLY dissapointing!

    by revenge_of_fett

    This is the movie I was probably looking forward to the most, and it just doesn't deliver the goods.The main problem is that the trailer implies that there is an alien revolt. THERE ISN'T! The aliens NEVER FIGHT BACK! You know that cool mech suit? that's a HUMAN inside....fighting other humans!It turns out the whole movie centers around a human who gets an infection the military deems valuable. So he escapes custody and holes uop with an alien. then they go get something form the lab and fight their way out. The end.That's it folks. That's the entire plot, which is one of the main problems with the film. they took a 1/2 hour concept and stretched it out for 90 minutes. the strange part is, they manage to do so without developing any of the characters! i don't know any more about these characters at the end of the film than I do at the beginning. There's just a whole lot of WHINING going on.And this is the other major fault of the film. The main character is an annoying jackass! Word to the wise: don't do that! It makes me not give a shit if that character is in danger, which makes me not emotionally invested in the action when it does finally show up in the last 15 minutes.I feel ripped off because I really wanted to see the movie in the trailer. Instead it's just Alien Nation without the interesting characters. Well, that's not entirely true. The main alien seemed like an interesting character but unfortunately he's not developed enough.Thus we come to the last big problem with the film. It doesn't feel like a complete story. It's got a big cliffhanger ending implying that there is supposed to be at least one more installment. By the end of the film, not much has changed. The status of two characters has changed, but the rest of the planet is exactly the same. The two main characters are badly injured, perhaps fatally, but the film doesn't bother to let us know if they're even going to live! And not in a cool The Thing kind of way, but in a "What happened to the final fucking reel?!" kind of way. I'm sorry, but that's bullshit! That's not an ending!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 8:54:44 PM CDT

    Now we see why it was buried in August

    by revenge_of_fett

    The cool interrogation scene that the whole trailer hinges on ISN'T EVEN IN THE MOVIE! There is tons of exposition that seems to go on forever at the head of this film, but it's all done in news reports and interviewed testimonials. That gets old, but it just keeps on going through the whole movie. You know what ELSE gets old? That fucking shaky-cam. Now I thought it worked ok in Cloverfield, but this really started to irritate me.Clearly Sony thought they were getting something really cool but when it all started coming together they saw that it was not the event film they thought it was going to be.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 9:54:09 PM CDT

    Yes...

    by cheyne_stoking_dms

    this truly has been the shittiest summer for movies I remember in a very long time. That this film is being considered the summer's best does not suprise me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 9:56:50 PM CDT

    dude, Revenge_of_Fett....

    by cheyne_stoking_dms

    why don't you just cough up the fucking ending in flashy neon lights while you're at it?...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 10:52:03 PM CDT

    The fuck you know about Avatar, already?!

    by grooveraider

    Don't speak on shit you haven't seen, yet. Especially a James Cameron flick! I'm welcoming BOTH District 9 and Avatar as must-see cut-edge flicks. Why the hate on one or the other ? Stop your fanboy shit ! Fucking CHILDISH !

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 2009 11:28:35 PM CDT

    cheyne_stoking_DMS

    by revenge_of_fett

    Impossible...because this films DOESN'T HAVE A FUCKING ENDING!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 15, 2009 1:42:07 AM CDT

    District 9 is monkey nuts awesome

    by shaell

    I fucking blew a divine spooge in my pants!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 15, 2009 4:25:18 AM CDT

    I LAUGH AT HOLLYWOOD FOR NOT GIVING BLOMKAMP HALO

    by --- emperor ---

    I am not even angry anymore...

    I knew (even before seeing District 9) that neil blomkamp was the real deal. I knew it from his short film work.

    Anybody with some knowledge and ability in film making would know he is the real deal.

    Halo would have been one of the biggest films of all time if given to this guy.

    Not even spielberg or cameron (yes I love cameron, but not even him) would be able to make halo work in the way that this guy can.

    It's funny/ironic to think that for all of Hollywood's fixation on profits, they continue to pump out pathetic rubbish that has been shown in the past to fail...

    Hollywood will never be redeemed unless they give this guy his chance to finally make Halo. If they don't give him the opportunity, Hollywood has ZERO credibility...

    Without blomkamp making halo, everybody can go and get fuc_ked. I will just download it off the net, like every other pathetic movie hollywood releases year after year.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 15, 2009 7:27:50 AM CDT

    How come you guys get to see it first

    by templar

    And I live in South Africa.Well at least it didn't star Charlize Theron or Arnold Vosloo. When does it come out in SA

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 15, 2009 8:33:00 AM CDT

    http://i25.tinypic.com/16av2pl.jpg

    by ironic_name

  • Aug 15, 2009 10:33:57 AM CDT

    Those Avatar power suits have a lot to live up to after this one

    by zillabeast

    Holy fuck was that carnage or what? Amazing debut Mr. Blomkamp!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 15, 2009 11:54:52 AM CDT

    awesome movie

    by martinlutherkrangjr

    didn't live up to my sky high expectations, it exceeded them.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 15, 2009 3:42:06 PM CDT

    THoroughly enjoyed it

    by xalener

    And no critic wannabee asshole in the playbacks spewing "overrated" like a 3 year old sony fanboy's take on Halo will change my mind.

    Fuck all you assholes.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 15, 2009 3:54:11 PM CDT

    really enjoyed it...

    by maxwell's hammer

    ...but I think the AICN hype-machine may end up doing more harm than good.

    This is definitely quality sci-fi of the highest order, but stop acting like its some kind of water-shed in film-making. You keep this up, all the dumb-fucks like Revenge_of_Fett are going to go charging into it expecting one thing, and will be disappointed not because the movie sucks, but because they were led to believe it was something that its not.

    But again, let me be clear: if you can stomach a sci-fi film that is not about giant alien battles, but is more about exploring big ideas by dropping a sci-fi element into a mundane setting, then this film is really exceptional.

    Oh, and if you like alien battles, there is a small-scale, yet highly effective one, in the build-up to this film's climax.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 15, 2009 6:42:03 PM CDT

    "I KEEP MY PROMISES!" - D9 Sequel title!

    by lt weezie

    Just returned from a packed house showing D9 at the biggest screen in Albuquerque. Gritty, touching, just plain awesome! Peter Jackson makes everything special! Let's hope that we don't have to wait "three years" to see what happens when Christopher keeps his promise...and returns to Earth!

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  • Aug 15, 2009 7:39:28 PM CDT

    Good but not great

    by aversiontherapy2

    I enjoyed it but it really flagged in the third act and to call anything about this film Hitchcockian is ridiculously overstating it. Some of the effects did slip occasionally, odd walking or colour/contrast matching, but overall you do forget that the aliens are CGI by the end. Certainly the best fx film of the summer but it's been a horrible summer for fx films.

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  • Aug 15, 2009 8:07:15 PM CDT

    Don't forget

    by xalener

    How low budget the movie was.

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  • Aug 16, 2009 4:05:17 AM CDT

    what the fuck?

    by redkamel

    the movie was awesome, and the special effects looked totally real. At no point did I think they jump out at me, in fact I like to think I have a pretty good eye. They even matched the depth of field when they had close ups on the aliens.

    Implied alien revolt? Where the fuck was an alien revolt implied? the commercials showed some fighting, not armies. It showed ONE power mech, and it was jumping. That does not imply an alien revolt.

    The interrogation scene was of course not going to be in the move. Let me spell it out for you. If you PAID attention during the trailers, it was very clear the aliens had lived on earth for a while, in a slum. The slums imply humans have the upper hand by a lot. So why the fuck would we be interrogating them face to face about how weapons worked? At that point we have figured them out, or have failed to and are using brute force (hence, the slum and then torture, and no interrogations). I always saw the interrogation as a way to illustarate that we knew little about the aliens , and doubted it would be an actual scene.

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  • Aug 16, 2009 5:11:56 PM CDT

    IT'S A LION!!!!!

    by sal_bando

    It's GOOD. It's NOT 'Great' or 'genre redefining' or whatever the fuck hyped up overkill the droolers are claiming for it.

    I enjoyed the heckoutta it, I thought that they made this a damned sight better than it hadda right to be, and it was WAY better than Cloverfield, thank you. This guy can, you know, actually DIRECT a movie, which was something that seemed to evade the Other shakey-cam flick in question.

    The lead guy--I kept watching him and thinking-he's channelling Basil Fawlty. He had the same snidely whiplash mustache, same manic hyped up manner, same sideys and a Fookin' accent. John Cleese never ran around from a pack of wild Nigerians (that I'm aware of) but there ya be.

    What else did I like?

    The nod to Ed-209 was great. Loved that.

    Christopher, best clicking bugalien you'll ever see. Liked his cute kid too.

    The CNN type bookend format wasn't bad, keeps your interest. Liked the shootouts. Liked the Zapguns. Liked seeing the nazi type guy wind up getting the Braveheart treatment. All of that's good.

    What's NOT so good? Well---the over-obvious Fugitive plotline, that got old quick. Not having the 1.8M Prawns escape on the ship (beam me up Chris) was Not expected, instead it was just dad and Jr. You DO expect an Alien-nation revolt, instead you just have the Professor from Gilligan and his kid escaping w/ the help of Basil Fawlty Jr. there. That's kinda it.

    I liked it, please understand, but you DO need to dial back yer expectations somewhat.

    I take it Nigerians are treated over in Africa like, hmmmm, Mexicans are by the Lou Dobbs types here and Turks in Europe. Not good. Well handled, though.

    Kudos for putting it in JoBerg too--friends of mine over there have said it's (more or less) kinda like that. Sans the Bugs, of course.

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  • Aug 16, 2009 5:51:03 PM CDT

    Tell me LIVE tonight what you think of D-9

    by eclipse7015

    On my weekly radio internet show I review movies, tonight is District 9. Join the live chat at http://www.tinyurl.com/logansr unpod or call in to the live call-in at 724-444-7444 call ID 49899. We would love to hear from all of you on this great film, plus I review games and other media as well. Join us every Sunday night 9pm central time

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  • Aug 16, 2009 9:59:13 PM CDT

    What a load of bullshit

    by bishop6

    who where we supposed to care for in this movie? So many things didn't make sense. Wilkis was a PRICK. when he wasn't trying to evict the 'Prawns' he was happily aborting their babies and allowing them to be fried, freeking out that he was starting to turn into one, then near the end he F***ks Chris to steal the ship himself and go to the mothership, then suddenly he gives a shit and wants to save him? HUH??? And yea the kid suddenly becomes a master pilot too? HUH??
    The Mech stuff WAS cool but when the movie wasn't trying to gross us out
    it was hiding the fact there was not much character or suspension of disbelief
    especially with the characters.
    The Aliens are SO strong and can rip a human apart AT ANY TIME..yet we're supposed to believe they can be controlled by a few guys with guns..when they could easily go nuts and take them all out if they wanted? HUH??
    There's plenty of human/Alien close contact, so why does the 'fluid' suddenly wanna turn Wilkis into one of them when we see other people drinking their blood ect and have no ill effects? HUH??
    If only the Aliens DNA could operate the guns, why didn't they just breed some prawns as soldiers which would be easy as they are supposed to be dumb, and make an army out of them??

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  • Aug 16, 2009 11:58:56 PM CDT

    bishop...

    by out of your element

    Can some one slap this guy in the face with a long, black dildo?

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  • Aug 17, 2009 3:46:42 AM CDT

    i wanted to love this movie

    by ranma627

    I avoided the trailer knowing it would be awesome but it was a bit of a letdown. Great story and original as hell but I thought it fell flat emotionally and thematically.

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  • Aug 18, 2009 12:50:48 AM CDT

    Great movie--not what the trailer leads you to believe

    by jsarnold513

    ****SEMI-SPOILER ALERT****I loved it and I'm glad I'd stayed away from reviews before checking this out. Along with "Up" this is easily the best movie of a bad summer. However, Revenge_of_Fett got all worked up because the alien revolt he wanted to see wasn't in the movie. That was for the best. What you actually do see play out has more emotional depth, whereas an alien revolt would've ruined the 1st act completely and made the film unwatchable with no likeable characters--just a bunch of detestable aliens revenge killing some detestable humans. What we got instead is such a better story than that, with good effects and a director who actually got to tell the story he wanted and knew how to do it. My girlfriend, who isn't a sci fi fan and never gets too involved in movies, was crying at the end and hoping for a sequel. That says a lot to me.

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  • Aug 18, 2009 12:55:06 AM CDT

    D9 is a new classic!

    by jsarnold513

    Seriously, go see this movie. It's the sort of balls out, high minded yet emotionally grounded film that'll be looked back on as a classic for the next 50 years. It's going to be right up there with Night of the Living Dead or Taxi Driver. It's not just a great genre movie, it's a great movie, period. For all the complaints about the 3rd act being too "ordinary", it fit the story very well and, IMO, gave it a satisfying conclusion that avoided "Hollywood Ending" BS.

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