District 9 Review: Did It Live Up to ROFL's Hype?

"District 9" was my most anticipated movie of August 2009. We didn't really know anything about it until recently (apparently, the filming was very hush-hush), so it wasn't on anyone's "Most Anticipated of 2009" as far as I know of.
However, as soon as the teaser was shown, marketing posters were being placed in stores and outlets dictating that the certain "venue was humans only." It piqued my interest, and many other peoples.' It looked like it was going to be a fun, yet intelligent, science fiction film with cool effects and some witty, "news casted" dialogue.

So... how was it, you ask?
Honestly? It sucked. Hard.

The aliens looked like crap, the camera was too herky-jerky, and the character development was just plain stupid.



...




You know I was pulling the leg of the laviathan, right?

This movie was freaking awesome! No doubt, the best one I've see this year.

Why? Well, yeah, most of the aliens certainly looked like crap, but not effect-wise. The film did a great job of showing the poor living conditions of what the locals call "prawns," insectoid-like creatures whose ship has just so happened to lost power over the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. The government decides to take them out of their transport and fit them in a slum code-named "District 9." Most of the prawns are drone-class, and therefore cannot operate their own weapons. Overall, they aren't the sharpest tools in the shed, constantly being taken advantage of by the big government and the tiny South African native gang members. Without spoiling too much, let's just that one of the government agents gets into some trouble, when him and a certain prawn get the most compelling character transformations and developments I've seen in a while.

The camera fit the right mood at the right time. It was part documentary-style, part film camera. Interviews were shown, but the perspective was switched to film when certain scenes of action or dialogue occurred. Director Neill Blomkamp (who also wrote the script along with Terri Tatchell) is an unknown short film director ("District 9" was actually based on one of his own called "Alive in Joburg") who should obviously get some more work. He's shown his talent, what he can accomplish in a feature, and will in turn hopefully cause some heads to veer in his direction.

Speaking of unknown, the star of this movie, Sharlto Copley, also does an excellent job. The transformation he makes from complete beauracratic poo face to someone pretty darn cool is compelling, not to mention the mesmerizing interactions with the main prawn, Christopher Johnson. It's like there really was a six-foot tall cicada thing on the set.

Overall, this movie took you from the balls and never let go, it made you think about what was happening in the film and what was going on in the world today. Comparing and contrasting our persecution and prejudice issues. This total work of art wasn't dumbed down to some mindless explosions, flaming automobiles, or giant fighting robots, it was shocking, provocative, and touching.

My final rating is five out of five cat food cans.

Later this week, I'll try to get in a "Ponyo" review if I ever see it, but for now, let me revel in this glorious triumph of cinema art.











Yes, it was that good.