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District 9

2009-09-03 09:00
 
After all the hype, box office millions and universal acclaim, can District 9 deliver where it matters?
 

What it’s about:

We're in an alternate version of South Africa in which a giant alien ship and its cargo of leaderless insectoid aliens arrive in Johannesburg. The South African government is unsure of what to do with the starving and malnourished "prawns", who are promptly relocated to a township-like settlement called District 9. Twenty years later, with no advances in technology forthcoming and xenophobic tensions rising, the government contracts a private military company called Multinational United (MNU) to take charge of the aliens. The film follows moustachioed MNU bureaucrat Wikus van de Merwe (Sharlto Copley) as he is put in charge of a project to relocate the aliens yet again.

What we thought:

District 9 is, quite simply, the first proper South African blockbuster. Bleak and unforgiving, the film can be read on multiple levels. But audiences will simply enjoy the spectacle of the film, where grimy high technology and dusty Joburg townships mix in a dark, sci-fi action movie.

South African-born, Canadian-based director Neill Blomkamp’s visual effects background is on fine display here – gone are the shiny, clean robots of films like Transformers. The alien technology in District 9 is dirty and realistic. The depiction of the aliens, with their slimy insectile carapaces, never veers into the plastic voyeurism of more recent science fiction movies – they seem solid and weighty, and all the more realistic for it. Blomkamp does his best to emphasise this realism through his use of news footage and shaky handycam cinematography.

Copley gives an excellent performance as Wikus, complete with strong Afrikaans accent that just misses swerving into caricature. His transformation from bureaucrat to unwilling liberator never seems improbable. He’s helped by great performances from David James as MNU mercenary Koobus and Eugene Khumbanyiwa as a Nigerian gang lord who sells food to the aliens in exchange for weaponry.

 Blomkamp’s script takes care not to cast any character as the protagonist. By the end of the film, it’s still unclear whether Wikus is a decent guy or not. Similarly, the oppressed aliens are unpleasant and violent. They are neither good nor bad - just desperate.

As an action movie it succeeds – brutal, beautiful and oddly thoughtful. But the film also serves as an unsubtle metaphor for Apartheid and xenophobia, and it is on this level where District 9 is set apart. "One prawn, one bullet," sneers Koobus, as he puts a gun to the head of alien rebel Christopher Johnson (Jason Cope). Blomkamp may wish to de-emphasise the South African metaphor, but lines like that practically beg to be deconstructed. It’s the history of this country alright, and it ain’t subtle.

Does it work? Mostly. The film unsettles and disturbs, purposefully confronting viewers with images such as an Afrikaans bureaucrat leading aliens to freedom. But perhaps it depends on how much the viewer is willing to read into it. The film certainly doesn’t strive to paint the metaphor in too many shades of grey. It’s an action movie, after all, and even ex-South African Blomkamp admits he just wanted to "throw in" bits of his history.

On its own, the Apartheid metaphor is dissatisfying, but it lends remarkable credibility to the rest of the film, which is all the better for the lack of heroes, or easy answers. There is no resolution, says Blomkamp. Like life, District 9 is messy, but it’s a coherent mess.

The end result is an excellent and thoughtful alien action film – one that lives up to all the hype. Being set in Johannesburg is certainly a new perspective on the genre, and a treat for local audiences, but it doesn’t define the film, merely strengthens it.

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(Comments may be edited or deleted at the Channel24 editors’ discretion)
Frans Mosia 8/27/2009 10:05 AM
Big up South Africa finally we can reveal what we are made of.
Proud 8/27/2009 10:43 AM
Yay, yay and yay again. I'm SOOOOO proud. Wonder if more people will actually now now where Johannesburg is. Wouldn't bet on it however.
Gaelen 8/27/2009 10:53 AM
I am so proud. I can't wait to see it. I'm so proud lol I'll say it again if you like.
wiledog 8/27/2009 11:41 AM
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i read the comments on the Facebook group from people who've seen it overseas - and everyone is blown away! this is what great sci-fi ought to be, not the drivel it's become nowadays! well done to Neil Blomkamp and Peter Jackson!
Michelle 8/27/2009 11:43 AM
Can't wait to see it!!!!
Rene 8/27/2009 11:49 AM
Booked my tickets! I cannot wait! It's gonna be a blast.
Travis 8/27/2009 12:03 PM
It's hardly "the first proper South African blockbuster". Jamie Uys' "The Gods Must Be Crazy" was a mega-smash in the 80s, and it still commands a big worldwide audience on DVD and TV today. Also, it was a purely SA production, with no overseas financing and development. Please don't buy so easily into the hype!
brian 8/27/2009 12:19 PM
rubbish movie don't waist your money
Uncle 8/27/2009 12:59 PM
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@Brian, Travis, etc. - Please board the Quantas flight to Australia leaving this evening. We don't need people like you sucking our precious air. Oh and Brian...I think it's "waste", not "waist"...use it, don't use it, you know.
MP3 8/27/2009 1:03 PM
I thought it rocked. Go watch it. It's constantly got you thinking what's gonna happen next. Not like a lot of movies of today where u can predict almost whats gonna happen.
Jaco 8/27/2009 1:40 PM
I was so please to see that other people also detects the clear xenophobia message in this film. Can't wait for the release here. gonna be epic!
Dexterity 8/27/2009 1:58 PM
This trended on Twitter for over two weeks and has a simply awesome trailer and website - personally I can't wait: it looks lekker and clever. Brian: use the cash you save not seeing it to invest in some remedial English lessons. Then start saving for that trip to Oz...
Alpha_N1H1 8/27/2009 2:45 PM
I'll going to watch this tomorrow, hopefully it doesnt disapoint...
bob 8/27/2009 3:08 PM
D-9 = poop on a stick warmed up Utter rubbish
Thabo 8/27/2009 3:12 PM
Saw it last night. It was pure rubbish! It'll be a waste of money.... I say.
bob 8/27/2009 3:17 PM
I ask this one question, if somebody has an opinion about something and its negative...why do you then have a childish immature response as the following from @Brian, Travis, etc. - Please board the Quantas flight to Australia leaving this evening. We don't need people like you sucking our precious air. Oh and Brian...I think it's "waste", not "waist"...use it, don't use it, you know. Dear uncle get a life and please do me a favour go stick your head back into the sand in Poffadder where you most probably reside. The film is rubbish plain and simple...If an american states that a film is rubbish, he does not get told by his fellow country that he must pack his bags and leave for CANADA. Grow up and start respecting other peoples opinions or are only your opinions valid or an opinion or positive outcome...Further are we now giving englesh lessons to people to point that out you might have a better understanding of spelling and grammar...englesh is correct ize but know this...further just to inform you of an old saying....you can polish a turd but it remains a turd, cappish!!
trailertrash 8/27/2009 3:24 PM
to Bob and Thabo ( do i smell a rat here)....anyway to each his own!
shandy 8/27/2009 3:26 PM
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To Bob and Thabo ( do i smell a rat here) ..... anyway to each his own!
MovieFreak 8/27/2009 3:29 PM
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Also saw it last night and thought that it was quite good, but be prepared for lots of violence and torture scenes. Will defs not let kids see this - some scenes are way to disturbing.
Dof johnny 8/27/2009 3:29 PM
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Saw it last week. WAY better than the glitzy stuff served up as scifi by hollywood (at 3 times the price). Gritty and real and an enjoyable movie. Well done guys
bob 8/27/2009 3:36 PM
I am sorry cant you read my opinion - do you have an opinion or would you like to go via the way of a mud slinging match over an opinion - does that compute above your IQ level or do I need to right in crayon for you - if you smell a rat lift your head out of your @$$ and there should be no rat smell no more no more no more
bob 8/27/2009 3:38 PM
yeah no I have come to conclusion after a long thought process - even after polishing it - its poop on a stick warmed up = polished turd
preshen govender 8/27/2009 3:42 PM
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@ brian,@bob and @Thabo Opinion are like @sshole everyone got one and they all stink
Karen 8/27/2009 3:42 PM
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Can't wait! Well done it.
Quintus 8/27/2009 3:46 PM
People are enjoying this movie in America. IMDB scored has placed it 8.6/10 and Rotten Tomatoes certainly have good reviews. I am totally pumped to go watch this movie the trailer is quite enticing but I did think it was a stupid idea to start off with but this may just be the best South African movie ever. People who say it suck must not base their views on the movie being slightly foreign to what we as South Africans are used to. We aren't used to massively funded movies which tell a very good storyline, we are not familiar with it but Neil Blomkamp is leading us in that direction. Now to see if it pays off or not.It's going to be packed in Menlyn tomorrow when I go watch it. Eish I'm excited.
Uncle 8/27/2009 3:58 PM
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@bob - bite me geek boy.
Sean Barber 8/27/2009 5:25 PM
Wow go and see it. This will put SA film industry in a good position to draw more productions. Lekker, the SA way.
Sean Barber 8/27/2009 5:33 PM
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Wow go and see it. This will put SA film industry in a good position to draw more productions. Lekker, the SA way.
Niel 8/27/2009 6:18 PM
Isn't this like Animal Farm we did in school? Maybe a few years from now students might be learning about the aliens and Wikus as old Major and the other animals?
Frikkie 8/27/2009 7:52 PM
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Hey bob. You sure stirred the pot on the post board. My opinion, District 9 is one of the must see movies of the year. The box offices agree. You are entitled to your own opinion, but that does not make you less wrong...
SS 8/27/2009 10:59 PM
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I saw it in Canada last weekend. It was the number one movie. Dont expect anything like Independence day! After watching it, i was like woah! this could be real.
david 8/28/2009 12:41 AM
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saw the film the day it came out in the states, the hype over here is insane. Some people walked out of the movie, everyone else loved it. A definite must see as far as I am concerned.
Warren 8/28/2009 6:09 AM
Saw the movie about three weeks ago in Wellington, New Zealand - felt so proud seeing Jozi on the big screen! What a great movie!
Warren 8/28/2009 6:09 AM
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Saw the movie about three weeks ago in Wellington, New Zealand - felt so proud seeing Jozi on the big screen! What a great movie!
bob 8/28/2009 10:11 AM
Howzit Frikkie, please elaborate how my opinion can be wrong. Please look up in any dictionary or WIKI or Latin in what an opinion is. There is no wrong or write, so please after you see the film tell me what you think 36 mill in its first week lets see how it does after week two and three and locally,as I got to see the premier by invite I told them exactly my thoughts as a critic my opinion is highly regarded by them and credit was not due from my opinion. Even though Mr Bones 3 was a big box office do you think that that tells it as a good film. Frankly with all due respect it also was rubbish and totally over hyped. I am patriotic but not to mediocricy.
bob 8/28/2009 10:12 AM
Howzit Frikkie, please elaborate how my opinion can be wrong. Please look up in any dictionary or WIKI or Latin in what an opinion is. There is no wrong or write, so please after you see the film tell me what you think 36 mill in its first week lets see how it does after week two and three and locally,as I got to see the premier by invite I told them exactly my thoughts as a critic my opinion is highly regarded by them and credit was not due from my opinion. Even though Mr Bones 3 was a big box office hit do you think that that tells it as a good film. Frankly with all due respect it also was rubbish and totally over hyped. I am patriotic but not to mediocricy.
bob 8/28/2009 10:14 AM
All spelling and grammatical errors are not my fault - my spell checker is at fault it should be infallible.
Richard 8/28/2009 12:21 PM
I saw the movie two weeks ago at a private screening in London. The Film is done very well. The effect are brilliant and i would recomend going to see it!
Greg E 8/28/2009 1:00 PM
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Can't wait! It's gonna ROCK baby!
Greg E 8/28/2009 1:00 PM
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Can't wait! It's gonna ROCK baby!
Namibian 8/29/2009 1:44 AM
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Saw it today. F#@king Brilliant movie to come out of South Africa. You will notice some nuances typically South African that the American audiences will not pick up on. People are trying to read too much into the movie, referring to apartheid (which I did not see) and xenophobia. If the movie were shot in the USA no reference would have been made. Overall the best movie to come out of South Africa and if this movie does not showcase SA talent, nothing will.
Bubbles 8/29/2009 7:46 AM
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Brilliant movie...........do yourselves a favour and go and see it!
Rudy 8/29/2009 9:21 PM
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Decent movie, I can see why overseas audiences love it-Aliens arrive, and it's not in New York city. However, if you haven't seen this movie yet don't expect to be blown out of your seats. No movie can live up to all this hype, and unfortunately District 9 doesn't. I'd still recommend it though.
Tim 8/30/2009 1:56 AM
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Jees Bob, pretty ironic. You correct Brian's spelling but apparently don't know the 'write' way to spell. A great movie!
Tim 8/30/2009 1:56 AM
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Jees Bob, pretty ironic. You correct Brian's spelling but apparently don't know the 'write' way to spell. A great movie!
Leo 8/30/2009 2:31 PM
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I saw it this morning and was really impressed. Good story, universal message... It's got my stamp of approval.
Tyrone 8/31/2009 9:49 AM
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Super film. As a strong movie critic I must say I'm impressed. The story delivered depth that I never expected. I'm proud to be South African after checking this out!
Msoe 8/31/2009 10:02 AM
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I havent seen the movie but the hype around it makes me wanna watch it. I hope its good.
anon 8/31/2009 11:24 AM
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Interesting
Jean 8/31/2009 4:45 PM
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Watched this yesterday. The audience applauded at the end. And all the way through we were like kids - couldn't stop commenting. Very funny movie and very good and very sad. And I have to go watch it again.
BladeBoy 9/1/2009 12:02 PM
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I was sucked in by all of the hype created around District 9. The interaction via the website was an incredible experience, the trailer was alluring and achieved in setting my expectation and excitement for the launch of the movie “Way up there”. I paid my R53 to go and watch the movie, only to feel once the credits started rolling, that I had somehow been robbed..... Although the special effects were impressive, the storyline was incredibly weak. I referred as many people as I could to check out the website, but now find myself telling them not to waste their time or money on an otherwise disappointing movie. Better luck next time Blomkamp & Jackson.
Uncle 9/1/2009 3:05 PM
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Bob is a chop.
Ramone 9/2/2009 10:41 AM
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After watching the movie last, I’ve had mixed feelings about it… In general, I really enjoyed it, but I have a few issues with it: 1) The South Africans, including the main protagonist, where portrayed as typical stereotypes. And even though I laughed at them most of the time, I began to realise that audiences overseas wouldn’t find it funny at all. They probably still think of all South African Whites as a racist bunch… And personally I’m offended by that. I feel that the director: Neill Blomkamp, being an ex-pat, left the country with a sour taste in his mouth, and this becomes apparent in his portrayal of South African stereotypes. 2) Secondly, the flow of the film wasn’t that great either. I really enjoyed the way the characters were developed, but the way they were attached to the story itself was very weak. (E.G. The wife Tania or Kobus) 3) The visual effects were great, but I found it too blurry, even for the realism/documentary style they were using. Especially, when I really wanted to see the details on the aliens. There were only a couple of shots where the effects & CG really came through nicely. Gritty is good, but over-the-top gritty/realism is bad… In this sense, ‘Cloverfield’ pulled this style off, where ‘District 9’ didn’t… 4) The budget of the film was very low, only $30 Million, and this comes through quite often. Even though it is very impressive at times, it seems very weak throughout the movie. And you can see that most of the budget was spent on the last action seen. 5) Finally two things that are really bothering me, are: 1) Why did Wickus try and steal the small ship, and leave Chris behind? Did he think he was going to fix himself in the mothership, without having any understanding of medical technology? 2) When they broke into the Lab, Christopher was in the direct line of fire, and was being shot at by 7 MNU officers. But he just stood there while Wickus took cover behind a steel cabinet… He would’ve got shot… Otherwise it was a really good movie, so I’d give it 7/10 overall.
Confused 9/2/2009 1:50 PM
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This movie makes absolutely no sense. Why do the prawns accept the abuse and suffering at the hands of the evil South Africans? Why don't they just apply for refugee status in Canada?
Nokubulela 9/3/2009 2:11 PM
I have nt watch the movie yet i m intending to ths weekend with my patner...and i cant wait i saw the clipse ..its interesting......S.A HAS GOT TALENT I KNW
Sue 9/5/2009 7:16 PM
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I am a bit sad to admit that it is not worth the hype. The story is quite average, most of the acting is weak (crying without any tears - that sort of thing), but the slapstick bits are very funny. Go and watch it and decide for yourself.
SHARK 9/10/2009 10:17 AM
REMEMBER THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING IS IH THE EATING. SEE THE FILM AND THEN COMMENT
Sabstance 9/13/2009 12:38 PM
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'People often ask me what men are like in South Africa. i tell them, man in South Africa are rapists'
Azania 9/14/2009 6:37 PM
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What goes around comes around,the chicken has come home to roost!!! Aluta-Continua.
Xylona 9/22/2009 1:41 PM
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Brilliant! Now waiting for the Sequel.
Janet 9/30/2009 2:42 PM
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I think this was an absolute stunning movie, saw it three times, and it was worth it. Was one of the first movies where people stood up and clapped afterwards. Peter Jackson, Mr Blomkamp, excellent job, Carlto, your acting was superb. Loved the movie from the start to finish, nothing bad could be said of it.
anon 10/1/2009 2:47 PM
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Nice to see SA make their mark out there in hollywood again:)
anon 10/1/2009 2:49 PM
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I must say this movie had the markings of the apartheid days...atleast the aliens got away.
J@son 10/1/2009 3:43 PM
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Check out the Afrikaans Review : http://boorgatspook.blogspot.com/2009/09/fliek-rubriek-district-9.html PG16
anon 10/1/2009 3:50 PM
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Shoe, impressed!
jeff 10/23/2009 2:10 AM
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I watched this movie in Australia and people loved it. Being a boertjie i was embarrassed by Wickus and his accent! But soon i realised you know what this who we are and this is what we come from and there is no reason to feel embarrassed at all! Be proud South Africa this was an awesome film some Aussies went to watch it twice!!!
Alan 1/4/2010 11:47 PM
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A great movie, a thinking man's movie, thoroughly enjoyed it - How could Apartheid and Xenophobia be so good (tongue in cheek!) - I really like the docu drama start, it had me hooked. Yes, we would never treat 'real' aliens this badly, but we sure as hell hate the 'aliens' who steal our takkies and cell phones. Wikus nails the eager but not so smart boertjie - it was a joy to watch. If you did not get uncomfortable during the movie you need to feel your pulse.
Alexa 1/6/2010 1:05 PM
AH MAN!!! This is my fav movie of all time!!! It's a really personal movie to South Africans, has tremendously sharp humour and all the graphics of a Hollywood movie. Best work i have ever seen, and those who dont like it or feel offended by it must wake up and enjoy the glory. Making fun of who we are allows us to forget and forgive.
wambosi 1/6/2010 1:28 PM
That`s a rubbish movie i couldnt even finish watching it ...Brian you are 100% right .What was the hype all about .....
Disappointed 1/21/2010 8:54 PM
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Obviously I'm missing something .... the worst movie ever, in all aspects. Hollywood??? Dream on ....
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