District 9 Movie Review

We have finally made contact with creatures from another planet, but it was not in the way we expected. A mothership has come to reside in the skies above Johannesburg, South Africa. The ship has remained silent and inactive for months. Officials have taken the initiative and cut into the ship, not sure of what they would find. All that greeted them were millions of malnourished aliens (later to be derogatorily labeled “prawns” for their resemblance to bottom feeders in the ocean). The aliens were housed in what was meant to be a temporary encampment, but resulted in becoming a militarized ghetto. “There are many secrets in District 9.”

While the cast is not populated with famous names, none of the actors fail to deliver an excellent performance. The main character, Wickus van de Merwe (played by Sharlto Copley), is the head of the operation that deals with the aliens firsthand. Along with Copley are actors John Sumner, William Young and many others.

From a personal standpoint, District 9 was a spectacular movie. From the documentary style feel that pervades throughout the entire film, to the moments where the audience identified more with the ‘prawns’ than the humans, District 9 drags you through a wide emotional spectrum. From the standpoint of a species that has taken up residence on an alien planet, certain questions and ideas are discussed. What defines humanity, if humans treat creatures reliant on us for care so cruelly? Trans-species concerns such as parenthood, survival and finding ‘home’ are also brought up. The action was constantly engaging and above all believable. The CGI ranked right up with the action, although the script left a little to be desired at times.

Overall, if you enjoy sci-fi, action, or a movie that just plain makes you think, District 9 is a must see.

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember.  I grew up attending writing camps and classes for writing fiction.  I spent time on the staff of Underage Thinking Magazine as a teenager, which taught me much about the practical application of what I had learned.  As for my own personal spiritual path, I have always seen Pallas Athena as my matron goddess.  Otherwise, I am an Animist and a shaman at heart.