STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: South African officials from a contracted private corporation identify themselves to an alien refugee in the exciting social commentary District 9.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SONY/TRISTAR PICTURES
Science fiction abounds in films of distinct character and effects. Some science fiction is visionary (Bladerunner, Colossus); some is fun and adventure (Star Wars, 20,000,000 Miles to Earth); Some is meant to play on the fears of lonely mankind in a big unknown (Alien, 2001: A Space Odyssey); while some is social commentary (such as many episodes in the original Star Trek series, The Day After Tomorrow).
District 9 fits into the last category. South African Director Neill Blomkamp has fashioned an earthy story of extraterrestrials into a parable about bad karma. Treat alien refugees stranded on your planet like dung and, guess what? Well, we don’t want to spoil the story for you. We can say that Blomkamp has drawn on his own country’s history of apartheid to paint a richly colored tapestry of human prejudice and discrimination and the natural degradations that result for both the discriminators and the discriminees.
You won’t recognize any of the actors or actresses, but don’t let that deter you from catching District 9. The story is intelligent. The acting is top notch. And so are the special effects. Remember that the hand of Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) is present and helpful in a mighty way with the CGI effects.
This is Blomkamp’s handiwork, however, and he deserves the abundance of credit. Clearly he is clearly influenced by works such as Black Like Me, V, and Cloverfield/Quarantine, but District 9 is unique, and it is one of the best science fiction films we have seen in a while. We highly recommend District 9.
District 9 is rated R and plays at the Fairmount Cinema 6.
Our Sebring Cinema and Sports rating, zero to five reels:
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