The underlying theme of race works perfectly in District 9
Perhaps you have heard of a gentleman. Largish, British, went by the name of Alfred Hitchcock.
If Al was alive today, and he had a penchant for science fiction, he might have made District 9.
I say this with complete compliments to the directorial style of Neill Blomkamp.
In District 9 you are drawn into this world completely. It opens wide its mouth with the fanged teeth of documentary style television and devours your mind into a world where second class citizens are defined not by skin, race or lovers, but by the planet of your birth.
You are tricked, quite successfully at first, into believing this is going to be a horror/action romp, and that would be enough. You would feel your cash well spent if it were nothing more.
However, following the exploits of Wikus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copley) who rises to upper middle management thanks to his father-in-law’s nepotism, you learn that you are in store for an old-school, Hitchcockian thriller. Wikus and his overseeing of the eviction of the alien “Prawns” from their slums slithers in a new direction at every scene. And in true suspense, you spend each and every frame wondering, “What… will… happen… next?”
But we do live in the 2000’s, and as much as you might like a thrill, this movie also delivers intense action, subtle horror and visceral gore. Be prepared, and enjoy.
Please go see Disctrict 9. You will be well pleased.
A single word of warning. This film delivers reality from hand held cameras in most scenes. If you are prone to motion sickness, as am I, you may want to consider a Dramamine pre-show. Not since Blair Witch have I felt the queasiness of a bouncing movie ride.
