An Intriguing and Inventive Sci-Fi

In 1982, a massive, stalled, spaceship housing about a million creatures resembling a mixture of grasshoppers and lobsters (human in size, walk on 2 feet although heads and hands are webbed) hovered over the sandy streets of Johannesburg. These aliens, better known as “prawns,” are nicknamed for their grotesque appearance and repulsive behavior. Lonely and starving, these alien refugees are hoping to relocate…on the ground. This idea is frightening to all humans and they want these intruders out! Twenty-eight years later, the humans are finally taking action to regain their country.

Fueled by the fury, a private interest group, Multi-National United (MNU), hires agent, Wikus van der Merwe played by Sharlto Copley, to investigate fenced off area inhabited by the aliens, also known as District 9. Ransacking through refugee homes, Van der Merwe attempts to find alien DNA that can produce firepower. During his mission, he forms an unexpected relationship with two aliens, Christopher Johnson (Jason Cope) and his young son, Little C.J. This relationship is uncomfortable at first but soon grows heartwarming. If this relationship ever got back to MNU though Van der Merwe knew he may never again see the light of day. This is not his biggest challenge, however. Once he comes into contact with a mysterious and (unbeknownst to him) priceless substance his life changes forever...

As Van der Merwe, begins morphing into the very same creature he was researching, he sees his family life crumble. His wife, Tania, played by Vanessa Haywood, doesn’t know who to trust as her father is Van der Merwe’s boss and both have two completely different stories in regards to the MNU turmoil (they have never been on good terms). After finally reaching his wife via cell phone, Van der Merwe tries to assure her that everything will be okay and back to normal soon. As he watches his arm grow yet another tentacle, however, he cannot help but doubt the promise he just made.

Originally, an apartheid system, South Africa had complete separation between white and black. In the film, there is this same separation between humans and aliens. This illustrates to the audience that even though apartheid is over, it can easily happen again because society despises differences. This film demonstrates that no matter what day and age we are in - if power lands in the wrong hands that a holocaust can easily reoccur and that the fueling hatred of differences will grow within society.

Producer, Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings 2001, 2002, 2003) began this project with the money out of his own pocket. District 9 was filmed in New Zealand, as his production hub is located there.

Director, Neill Blomkamp, uses a handheld camera and harsh lighting to set the scene. The beginning of the film is shot in documentary style but as the film progresses it transforms into narrative story following main character, Wikus van Der Merwe. This transformation from documentary to narrative type filming makes this film unique compared to the other Oscar nominees. Blomkamp intertwines history and a unique sci-fi story with co-writer, Terri Tatchell. The emergent relationship between the two aliens and Van Der Merwe is worth witnessing not to mention the nail biting scenes at the end!

Bottom Line? If you are a sci-fi fan this movie is a must-see! If you don’t like repulsive images, bodily fluids, bugs, sea creature-looking robots and a lot of violence this movie may not be for you.

District 9 is nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Achievement in Film Editing and Best Achievement in Visual Effects.

Jessica Aymond © August 14, 2009