This is District 9: A Review by Ophelia Dupre
August 25, 2009I know that I’m snarky most of the time and have ridiculous and outrageous things to say about movies and games. Well, maybe not outrageous but certainly different. I approach all films with a singular viewpoint: was the experience entertaining? There may be things to tease, parts to nudge and silliness to point out but in the end, if I was entertained, I say that the movie was a success.
At least, it was a success with me. That doesn’t mean that everyone else won’t pan it or otherwise consider it to be the worst tripe since the Caveman Comedy of 9000 BC.
Modern day films have slowly denigrated to the point of being predictable, formulaic and, in some cases, boring. Things as they are, investors don’t want to drop over 100 million dollars to see it all flushed away because the ‘new’ idea was too much of a departure for the mooing audiences to embrace. Apparently, Hollywood is under the impression that it’s easier for us cud snarfing maniacs to drool through whatever they put in front of us rather than challenge us with a new concept or a fresh take on something.
District 9 departs from this trend. Rather than dish out the same rubbish, foreign film directors see that first off, you don’t have to spend enough money to bankrupt three developing countries to create a good movie. Secondly, they recognize that diverting from tradition can actually make people stop mooing for a second and perk up. Finally, they recognize that while there are a lot of stupid people in the world, many are sharp enough to really bite into something that challenges them.
There are many things about District 9 that are hard to explain. I felt a sense of sadness for the plight of the aliens. I felt bad for the main character. I felt bad for the world that it would allow the events to unfold as they did. And yet, despite all that ‘feeling bad’, I was thoroughly entertained. Shockingly, I DID think and I really left there wondering what would happen next.
I have heard it said that a good movie makes people talk. I would add that it should also leave a lasting impression full of conflicting emotions and ideas so that any subsequent conversation will have a new topic. Maybe I’m heaping too much on District 9’s shoulders but I don’t think so. These people knew what they were doing and Peter Jackson’s not exactly a hack.
The movie is very gory and that should be remembered. There’s also a lot of profanity so if that sort of thing offends you, then you might want to avoid the theater. I personally was refreshed to see such a normal human approach to something that we in America have turned into super-heroic. Will Smith looking serious over the body of an unconscious alien comes immediately to mind.
If I had to compare this to anything at all, I would choose the new War of the Worlds. Remember Tom Cruise’s total average joe thing he had going on? That’s what this is: a normal person literally thrust into the midst of something horrifying and shocking.
Please consider the visual feast and emotionally charged District 9. It’s not just an alien movie. It’s not just an action movie. It’s not just an indie movie. It’s not just a foreign movie. It’s what movies should be these days at its very core and frankly, I think that’s pretty damn neat.
Next time: Batman: Arkham Asylum (holding it… in my hand… not quite drooling….)
PS By the way, I learned that Sharlto Copley, the lead actor in District 9 adlibbed all his lines. It makes sense to me now but good lord wow! That’s kind of fun. Also, Peter Jackson approached Neill Blomkamp after Halo fell through and gave him 30 million to make whatever he wanted. We got District 9. Not a bad idea. Thank you Peter, Neill and Sharlto! This was an awesome film made with genuine interest in fresh!
I’d offer pixie dust but I’m a bit low now. Too much sucking at Wolverine: Origins on the X Box. Maybe next time… after I’ve finished batman… and I’ve had a chance to recover…. yeah, it’ll happen!
Out!
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