Going along with the topic of under-represented films this awards season from my last review of A Serious Man, I thought it'd be appropriate to review District 9 next.Yes, District 9 is a sci-fi film. Yes, sci-fi films are often the ugly ducklings/awkward stepchildren/black swans (alright now, you get the point) of the Oscars with their teeny tiny presence at the awards throughout the years, so imagine my surprise when the Academy Awards nominated District 9 for best picture this year. Although sharply deserved, it has a slim to zero chance of winning, and I'm sure the movie only received a nomination because the category was expanded this year from five to ten. Had it been the traditional five picture deal, I'm sure it wouldn't have made the cut. It sounds like a tough break, but there's really no room for outliers like District 9 to win when Avatar, The Hurt Locker, and Up in the Air are in contention.
With all that aside, District 9 was really a sci-fi movie worth watching. I'm by no means a sci-fi fan at all, in fact, it's probably my least favorite film genre, but this movie was truly different and very enjoyable. This is all attributed to Neill Blomkamp's great writing and directing, and Sharlto Copley's portrayal of main character Wikus Van De Merwe.
District 9 takes place in a world where aliens already have a presence on Earth, and they're confined into slums, known at District 9, where they are exploited and studied. A government agent, Wikus Van De Merwe, is the head of a mission to forcibly evict the tenants of District 9. It's there where he is exposed to extraterrestrial technology that causes him to morph into one of the 'prawns'.
What sets District 9 apart from other generic sci-fi films is that it has a heart, and it has emotion. Alot of sci-fi thrillers get caught up in exciting, strange, visceral images that stir the brain, but District 9 makes it a strong point to make you feel in this movie. You feel for Wikus after he becomes exposed, and his whole world has been torn apart, and you feel for the aliens as they are constantly being exploited. The way they're treated by the government is incredibly dehumanizing--but that begs the question, do they afford the same rights as humans? That's the debate in this movie, and it's what makes District 9 so great-- it's stirring, thought provoking, and visually stunning to boot.
This movie was inspired by writer and director, Neill Blomkamp's life in South Africa during apartheid. He originally created a short movie, which was then adapted into a full feature length film with the help from producer Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings trilogy). Sharlto Copley's performance in this film was incredibly heartfelt, and I was shocked to discover he had never even acted before and didn't even think to pursue acting. Another surprising tidbit: he ad-libbed all of his dialogue during the documentary scenes.I'm sorry, but move over Avatar, this movie was the true game changer. I think this is what sci-fi movies, in fact all movies, should strive to be: a total balance (and when I say balance, I mean equal parts) of captivating storytelling, character development, and visual interest. Also, this was a low budget film at just $30 million, but didn't look low budget at all. To put that all in perspective, Avatar cost an excess of $300 million to make. Hey, I'm just stating facts here. No claws to retract when they're just facts..
Go see District 9 and discover why it's one of the very few sci-fi movies ever to be nominated for a best picture Oscar.
Almost at the finish line! My previous best picture reviews:
A Serious Man
Avatar
An Education
Precious
The Hurt Locker
Up
Up in the Air
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