Sci-fi based on the short film, ‘Alive in Jo’berg’ (2005), about the tense relationship that exisits between a group of aliens who have been living on earth for 30 years and the humans who have been trying to keep them segregated and under their control. The aliens live in a place called District 9 in South Africa in squalid conditions and are now under the supervision of Multi-National United (MNU), a company who are solely interested in exploiting the aliens’ superior technology to make money. However, the only way of getting the extra-terrestrial technology to work is by using alien DNA, so when MNU worker Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley) becomes infected with a DNA altering disease, giving him alien DNA, he becomes a very desirable commodity. Realising he is alone and in serious danger, and as relations between the aliens and humans intensify, van der Merwe must enter District 9 to escape.
Starring: Sharlto Copley, David James, Jason Cope, Nathalie Boltt, Sylvaine Strike
Directed by: Neill Blomkamp
Runtime: 112 minutes
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
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When I first read the plot for District 9 I assumed it would be just a standard sci-fi film, hopefully a good one, but certainly not offering anything vastly original. Neill Blomkamp’s film, however, turned out to be something of a big surprise but while it endeavours to be different there is the risk of alienating some sci-fi fans.
District 9 is part film part documentary with interviews taking place recalling some of the key events that take place. An alien ship arrives and comes to a stop over Johannesburg, South Africa. After three months the humans cut into the ship and find starving and sick aliens on board. The aliens, referred to as “prawns” are able to leave their craft but they are kept in a rundown camp and supervised closely by the government which later becomes known as District 9. The film then switches to 2010 where a company – Multi-National United (MNU) – is given the task of moving 1.8 million aliens away from the city and to a new camp – District 10. When MNU field operative Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley) is sent in to help issue warrants to the aliens he is exposed to a rare chemical which makes him seriously ill. Hospitalised, Wikus becomes deformed and starts to grow alien body parts. No longer treated as human he gains an unwanted insight into the cruel persecution the aliens have to contend with and finds himself more at home in District 9.
The film opens with a lot of intriguing moments. The documentary style is a nice touch and we’re soon watching the arrival of an alien spacecraft before the humans decide to allow the aliens to live on earth though they have to be contained within District 9. They soon become immersed into our world with a warlord, Mumbo, trading with the aliens frequently. He acquires alien weapons and in exchange gives the aliens tins of cat food which they love. In the present Wikus is chosen to lead a field operation into District 9 and knocks on the doors of random shacks and issues warrants to the aliens asking them to move. Though he cares little for their plight, Wikus at least insists the soldiers accompanying him behave accordingly. Sadly they don’t. The slightest hint of insurrection from the aliens leads to them being gunned down mercilessly. Wikus’ path crosses with one alien named Christopher who has scoured the scrapheap of the aliens home for a black substance that will enable him, his friend and his son to escape from Earth. Unfortunately, the soldiers kill Christopher’s friend and Wikus confiscates the cylinder containing the black liquid. Tampering with it, Wikus is hit in the face by the black liquid and becomes sick. Though able to carry on the exposure to the alien liquid leads him to start developing alien parts and rather than help him, the humans begin to experiment on Wikus, leaving him alienated from his own people and even his wife who is divided on how to handle his plight.
District 9 is superb throughout, there’s no denying it, but what makes it standout is the realism. Though this is a sci-fi film there are many moments that are frighteningly real. The human persecution of the aliens is extremely cruel and what makes it worse is I can imagine this is how we would treat an alien race if they came to live on Earth. We have trouble treating each other with dignity and respect so an alien race would be especially difficult. You will find with District 9 that your heart will be with Christopher and his son as they try to escape from Earth rather than the selfish Wikus who thankfully does redeem himself in the end but it takes a lot to make him realize what’s really important. The film has good effects, a terrific and moving storyline which should appeal to many film fans. The cruelty in the film may be too much for some people to watch but it is worth seeing this in its entirety.
District 9 is one of the best sci-fi films I’ve seen in recent years. It takes an idea that could be a reality one day dependent on whether you believe in aliens or not. Rather than the bad guys from the likes of The Thing, Alien or Predator, these aliens come across as more sympathetic which is always a nice angle to take. Be sure to check this one out.
Verdict: 5/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
Film Review: District 9 | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
