| |
|
 |
DISTRICT 9
DIRECTOR: NEILL BLOMKAMP
WRITERS: NEILL BLOMKAMP, TERRI TATCHELL
CAST: Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, David James, Mandla Gaduka
PLOT: An extraterrestrial raced forced to live in slum-like
conditions on Earth suddenly find a kindred spirit in a
government agent that is exposed to their biotechnology
|
|
 |
It was months ago that I had first seen the trailer to “District 9” and I, along with the rest of the world, became pretty
curious as to where the hell this movie came from! As I did some further research, I found out that “District 9” is a product
that came to be due to the demise of the “Halo” film that was being planned. Heavily promoted as, Peter Jackson
Presents, I knew that this film had to be special. Peter Jackson has brought us the masterpiece we came to know as The
Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Full of big stars, big budgets and special effects, he is on top of his Hollywood game. So why
put your name behind a little $30 million dollar film, with no names, such as “District 9”? The answer is: new director Neill
Blomkamp and his unique vision. Neill is known for directing many commercials and has even directed some short films
that all took place in the “Halo” (Popular X-Box videogame) universe. Peter Jackson saw his potential and quickly took
him under his wing and hired him to direct the “Halo” feature film. Unfortunately, Blomkamp’s lack of directing experience
scared the studios, which didn’t believe he was ready to helm a $175 million dollar epic. The plug was pulled on the
project. So like the great filmmakers that they are, Jackson and Blomkamp decided to say “F*ck you” and make an
original sci-fi film for $30 million dollars… and thank God they did.
SUMMARY:
It's been 28 years since the aliens made first contact, but there was never any attack from the skies, instead, the aliens
were treated as refugees. They were the last of their kind, and in order to accommodate them, the government of South
Africa set up a makeshift home in District 9 as politicians and world leaders debated how to handle the situation. As the
humans begin to grow wary of the unwelcome intruders, a private company called Multi-National United (MNU) is
assigned the task of controlling the aliens.
THE FILMMAKING:
Neill Blomkamp had once made a short film titled “Alive in Joburg” which was later decided to be the launching pad for
original. He managed to somehow mix “Independence Day” and “City of God” into one film. Shot in a documentary style,
we immediately register in our minds the notion of just how real or plausible this setting is or can be. The gritty exteriors of
the South African slums and the juxtaposition of alien beings are just amazing. Not to mention that Blomkamp managed to
bring sympathy to a bunch of CGI generated creatures. This is a directing talent, something Michael Bay has never been
able to really achieve. I applaud Neill Blomkamp for being a first time director and creating a brilliant science fiction film.
I’ve talked about how difficult it is in the industry to achieve critical and commercial success all in one. Well Blomkamp
killed 2 birds with one stone… on his first throw.
THE PERFORMANCE:
Okay so we have an original film, first time director, and a moderate low budget… at least we’ll be provided with some A-
list Hollywood talent right? Wrong! To keep the beauty of this, shot to look realistic style of filmmaking, we are provided
with no name actors. We quickly have no idea how to feel or any clue of what the fates of these characters are. When a
MNU field operative Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley) is exposed to biotechnology that causes his DNA to mutate,
the tensions between the aliens and the humans intensifies. Wikus is the key to unlocking the alien's technology, and he
quickly becomes the most wanted man on the planet. Ostracized and isolated, Wikus retreats to District 9 in a desperate
bid to save himself. Sharlito Copley did an incredible job! During the first act of the film I was led to believe that he was
just a floating actor. I was waiting for the big buff action type to walk on screen and reveal himself as the hero of this story.
Well that never happened, instead Copley shifts his acting skills and turns in a funny and emotional performance. He
manages to even give a great performance when working along side a CGI alien. The creatures did amazing as well! If
you don’t feel any emotion or sympathy for these CGI creatures then you are just heartless.
OVERALL:
Seeing this film was such a relief. I was still bitter about the whole “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” screening last week.
“District 9” is one of those rare gems that will pass the test of time. I honestly picture my unborn children watching this in
the future, the way I watch “Blade Runner” or “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Peter Jackson and Neill Blomkamp have slapped
Hollywood in the face and made a clear statement. You don’t need a lot of money or big name stars… just simply, some
originality. Between “(500) Days of Summer” and “The Hurt Locker” this film is one of the best films of the summer. If
you’re tired of all that big bang loud stuff that Hollywood likes to pass of as a “summer blockbuster” than please buy
yourself a ticket to “District 9”. Warning: leave your mainstream mind outside the door and embrace the originality.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 FILM FRAMES
|
|
