MOVIE REVIEW: DISTRICT 9

As a huge fan of sci-fi movies, I was so excited to watch a new angle on the genre. District 9 gives a fresh, unique story of what happens when an alien ship gets stranded on earth. In the film an alien ship arrives in South Africa and causes a national phenomenon over the planet. Once the ship is boarded by humans they find over a million aliens on board who are frightened and malnourished. With the whole world watching, it is decided that instead of destroying them, they will bring them down and set up a shelter for the aliens, known as District 9. Twenty years later, an organization known as MNU (Multi-National United) is formed to not only keep a close eye on the camp, but to also make sure somewhat moral values are kept when it comes to dealing with the aliens. After years of the locals rioting and protesting, it is decided to move the camp to a safer, more secluded location which means the eviction of all aliens in District 9. During the eviction process the head field operative, Wikus van der Merwe, comes in contact with a vial that discharges on him changing his DNA. Wikus quickly becomes the main focus of MNU becuase he is now the key to unlocking the secrets of the alien technology. Wikus escapes MNU headquarters and becomes the most wanted man on the planet, and with nowhere left to run he turns to District 9 for shelter. There he uncovers the key his cure as well as the aliens key to return to their home planet.

District 9 is half documentary style, half action which is kind of what I was hoping Cloverfield 2 would look like if it gets made. It is a smart, well written, and well directed story. What I really enjoyed about the film was the amount of detail that was in every shot, whether it was the garbage and ran down huts in District 9, or the main headquarters of MNU. The ending was great because they left it open for a sequel if they choose to do so, but at the same time it is a great ending all by itself. I personally hope they do not make a sequel because I think part of the fun is wondering about the ending. District 9 comes off as a sci-fi film, but when you peel the hollywood effects and story off of it, you see that the real world is not far away from the made up world of District 9. I loved this film and had no problems with it so I'm giving it a 5 out of 5.