District 9 Review

        We’re almost done with looking at the evolution of sci-fi. It’s been unique watching the films throughout the decades. While not all of them, but the significant ones to really make a mark on the genre. District 9 is the one that is held in high regard as the best of the 2000s.

1. Wikus van de Merwe

        This film starts like no other sci-fi film. We see that a UFO hovers above a section of Johannesburg, South Africa. Malnourished aliens dubbed Prawns are discovered and have been placed in District 9. From there, we follow the Wikus as he works for the weapons contractor Multinational United. He’s assigned along with others, to relocate the Prawns to another section. 

    

        While attempting to get a signature from the Prawns, he unintentionally handles an unknown equipment. Which ultimately leads him to go through a metamorphosis, physically and mentally. This character is interesting. He starts as a humble worker and has an understanding of the Prawns. Although, he mostly speaks down to them when attempting to talk to the species. 

        His best moment is when he goes through the changes with his body. It’s very Cronenberg with its body horror. I'll explain who David Cronenberg is, he’s a director that got famous with his brand of horror called Body Horror. Think of the body going through immense exaggerated body mutilations. Anyways, the way it’s presented here is mostly grounded. Not amped up, but we see bits of it where it’s shocking to say the least. 

        To expand more on Wikus’ is that he sees what it’s like to be someone who isn’t human. Throughout the film, we see that the Prawns are frowned upon among the South Africans. It’s obvious social commentary with what’s going on. Anyways, he as an exile has to adapt by living as a Prawn and attempting to right the wrongs that he did so he can get help.  

        I might as well talk about the obvious social commentary that the film has going for. What I find interesting is that while there's a discrepancy between the ethnic races, they belittle the aliens since they think they're freaks. The humans either want to study the aliens, or attempt to use their weapons by getting their blood. 

2. The Prawns

        These aliens are unique for one thing. Just looking at them, they look like a combination of a cockroach and a crustacean. Which explains why they’re pejoratively called Prawns, since they’re environment is covered with filth and dilapidated shanty towns. They have very expressive eyes which aren’t big. But you can guess just how they feel by looking at their eyes as they emote. 

        One of the key things that makes this film work is that the Prawns have personality. For instance, the main Prawn that we follow is nicknamed Christopher Johnson. Wikus notices that it’s very smart with what’s going on as the humans are attempting to relocate the aliens. There’s even moments with it and it’s offspring. 

        The best moment is when we have moments where it expresses frustration. As I mentioned earlier, Wikus was exposed to an alien device. Johnson needed that device so that it and it’s kid can go back home. It’s those little moments of character development which I like since it gives the aliens character and screen time so we can have some level of empathy. 

3. Mockumentary

        If you watched bits and pieces of the film, you start to figure out that it has a documentary feel to it. Right down to the interviews that we see in the beginning. Since it’s like a documentary, this type of film is called a Mockumentary. It’s a type of film where it parodies a documentary film. While it plays it straight, what makes it work is that the camera work is kinetic. There’s never a moment where the camera stands still. The action never gets too incomprehensible or hard to follow with the camera shaking a lot. 

4. One Trick Pony

        The film was a darling when it came out. I think it was partly due to Peter Jackson having his name on the poster and in various ads. While he didn’t direct the film, I feel that his personal touches in terms of story and character where in the film. And of course it made bank, grossing 200 million on a 30 million dollar budget. It’s an accomplishment for any film to outperform in that level. 

        With that, Neill Blomkamp made more films such as Elysium and Chappie. Which weren’t as good as District 9. The frustrating thing is that he probably had a lot of oversight in terms of filming his debut. While I don’t know if he did, it’s understandable when he’s inexperienced with handling a big project. 

        With the success, he probably assumed that he make the same magic. With Elysium and Chappie, the level of quality started to wane. That’s why I call him a One Trick Pony, since he doesn’t have that talent yet to consistently nail down another successful sci-fi film. 

 

5. Overall

        District 9 is the best sci-fi film of the 2000s. It can be interpreted in any way you can think of, but it’s relatable when a species just wants to go home.