District 9

 3.5/4

Starring: Sharlto Copley

Rated R for Bloody Violence and Pervasive Language

In general, science fiction comes in two flavors: space opera and allegory.  Neill Blomkamp's stunning debut film falls strictly in the latter category.  Although there are aliens and gizmos and such, this is as grounded as any science fiction story that features such things can be.  They are used to serve the filmmaker's thesis, which is to show that in times of crisis and change, the darker sides of human nature come out.  Even the best of intentions cannot hide the damage that xenophobia and fear can cause.

Twenty years ago, a space ship settled over Johannesburg, South Africa.  Inside, humans discovered about a million aliens starving and weak.  There was no other choice but to bring them down to the surface for care.  And that's when trouble began.  Suspicion and fear turned them into impoverished, second-class citizens forced to live in slums and deal with all sorts of violence and oppression.  The hell they are forced to live in is known as District 9, but it isn't far enough away for their human neighbors.  The organization in charge of dealing with the aliens (derisively known as "prawns") is MIU, and they've decided to move the aliens to District 10, which is much farther away.  Leading the move is the newly promoted Wikus van de Merwe (Copley).  But Wikus is both stupid and incompetent, and lacks the charisma or respect to take the lead against bloodthirsty humans like the vicious mercenary Koobus (David James).  Just when things couldn't get any worse, Wikus's ineptitude exposes him first hand to just how deep the hatred goes, and he is forced to go on the run.

If there is a science fiction allegory more vicious and cynical than "District 9," I haven't seen it.  Many, if not most, people wonder what's out there in the stars and wish that out of space visitors would come to our big blue planet (if they aren't here already).  But if you were to ask Neill Blomkamp, any curious extraterrestrials would do well to stay far, far away.  In his eyes, wonderment will quickly be overtaken by fear and aggression, and ideals like "security" and "betterment" will be twisted in cruel and horrific ways.  It is not surprising then that, growing up as a white South African during apartheid, Blomkamp knows full well the evil that human beings are capable of.

In telling this story, Blomkamp decided to use a "fake documentary" approach complete with talking heads and different kinds of film sources (news cameras, security footage, radar).  The amount of verisimilitude it generates is staggering and it highlights the film's sociological themes.  But it's a double-edged sword since it distances us from the plot and its unlikely hero.  At least Sharlto Copley, in his screen debut (he had no ambitions to be an actor before he found himself in Blomkamp's short film "Alive in Joburg," upon which this film is based), is spectacular.  Wikus is enthusiastic and optimistic, but anyone can see that he is a complete idiot.  But he is likable, which makes him an effective anchor for the film.  He's the only human being on screen for a consistent basis, so the film rests on his shoulders.  It's even more impressive then that he doesn't show any awkwardness in his acting or in his interactions with his CGI co-star (his unexpected ally, who I won't reveal, is a case in point).

Speaking of CGI, it's superb.  Not for one moment did the illusion of the film break.  The aliens are absolutely convincing, looking at all times like living, breathing creatures.  And for the film to work, that's essential.  The action scenes, of which there are a few, are well staged and exciting.  I should also mention that they are quite bloody (the R rating is well deserved...if the film's downbeat tone and displays of human cruelty didn't push it over that barrier first).

The story of how "District 9" came to be is almost as interesting as the film itself.  When Peter Jackson was hired to produce a movie based on the "Halo" video games, he tapped Blomkamp to direct it.  Of course everyone knows that the film fell apart (you can find his concept trailers online) so Jackson gave him $30 million to make whatever movie he wanted.  This was the result.  Jackson's instincts were right on the money, as the film was released to critical and popular acclaim and earning four Oscar nominations including Best Picture).

I would place "District 9" in the "tough medicine" category of films.  It is not easy to watch and certainly not a good choice when you're in the mood for a pick-me-up.  But that's not the kind of film Blomkamp was trying to make.  He wants his audience to think and feel uncomfortable.  But it succeeds tremendously on the terms that it has set for itself, and that means its worthy of our respect.

Even if it is difficult to "like" in the traditional sense.