District 9

The story was just different. Nothing like what I have seen before. I am eager to see what Kami has to say.

 

Im going to a 715 show tonight

 

I caught an evening showing, so I'll give a review in both threads.


Before even starting, this film had carried enormous hype. When certain reviewers were saying District 9 was the best Sci-Fi/Action film since Cameron's Aliens, one's expectations couldn't help but be high. Bottom-line, while I have to view the film a few more times before I declare it a classic, what I saw tonight showed me a film worthy of all the praise and expectations bestowed by so many.

First of all, I want to give kudos to the F/X team behind this film. I was absolutely floored when I heard the original budget for the movie was $30 million. The special effects were as impressive as anything I've seen, and when considering a relatively low budget, the effects were jaw-dropping.

Everything about this film worked. The lead actor (I can't even recall his name, he is that unknown) was positively superb. While some are saying the mockumentary style of the early portions were gimmicky, I thought it was brilliant; there was a decent amount of backstory to show, and I found the format more than adaquete. Certain pieces were breathtaking, and every single actor seemed to know his/her place within the film. It's rare to see that sort of cohesiveness.

I could go on and on about what I think makes this movie so special. Instead, I will leave with one thought; Go, run, to see this film. Even those not enthralled with the sci-fi elements will enjoy the action, and those looking for deeper allegories will probably find it. Engaging characters, jaw-dropping set pieces, and superlative special effects leaves a film worthy of anyone willing to take the trip.

Ah screw it. This is as good a sci-fi/action film as I've seen in years!
Grade: A+

 

My take of it was not quite so glowing. Definitely interesting and enjoyable, and I thought the mockumentary narrative worked where it was used. Unfortunately I was slightly annoyed that the director felt he needed to invoke some very cliche'd themes and situations to get his story across once the action sequences began.

Still, certainly worth seeing on the big screen, and quickly, before some yahoo starts dropping spoilers all over the net.

 

It had some faults, and some of the action towards the end was over the top/non-sensical, but I think that it was a great movie overall. Really enjoyed it. Kami's review was spot on for me.

 

My big question being begged when I first heard about the plot is, how did we have the power to not let the aliens leave? And if I were the aliens, and some primitive culture tried to not let me leave, I'd be unleashing some destruction before 20 some years passed. It seems like we would have been no match for their technology.

 

Because then you'd be watching every other alien movie ever conceived. :hmm:

 

That is explained. In retrospect, the ship and it's crew were a cosmic analogy of an Ayn Rand novel.

 

While the power aspect was a bit Deux-Ex-Machina (an all-powerful mysterious substance seems to be relyed to heavily with Sci-Fis this year), it is explained, and sensible, why the aliens allowed themselves to be bullied. With the exception of maybe Christopher Johnson, the aliens were all basically worker, civilian-like members of their race. They had no organization, no higher authority left alive on the ship to give orders, and on a planet that VASTLY out numbers them (and they probably fairly quickly realized that humanity are not too kind as a whole). It was logical that they would be kept in check.

 

Their lower caste appear appear to be selfish savages. It looks to me like there was a mutiny which left no-one alive to pilot the ship or provide food stocks. This is the basic subtext of Atlas Shrugged, hence my reference above.