District 9
December 10th, 2009
When aliens land on Earth, global business conglomerate Multi-National United forces them into rigid containment zones where they are compelled to labor, even as MNU commandeers their otherworldly technology for profit. As tensions build between human and non-human races, a rogue agent leads a resistance movement against MNU’s ruthless consolidation of power. Neill Blomkamp directs this cinema verité-style sci-fi thriller.
If Franz Kafka were alive today, District 9 would be his Oscar pick for best picture. In fact, it would be, unequivocally, one of his all-time favorites. Regrettably, Mr. Kafka is unable to make his case…So, I will try to make it for him. How do you say “WOW!” in Czech? First, let’s touch upon the obvious. Hollywood says: “100 million, bargain basement, to make an epic film!” South Africa says: “30 million!”. District 9 is an intricately crafted, intensely hypnotic, cinematic collage of numerous disparate elements. The film itself seems to metamorphosize through several different stages. Initial minutes of the movie have an authoritative, documentary or docudrama feel. Gradually, District 9 transitions into a socio-cultural Sci-Fi drama, adding a totally new dimension to the term “Apartheid”! Next, it’s more of a gripping police thriller. The last 15 or 20 minutes are non-stop, adrenaline-pumping action! None of these shifts are awkward or contrived in the least; they flow and mesh quite seamlessly and naturally. District 9 is made to order for those of us who crave Sci-Fi epics with unique, original, character driven stories; something light-years removed from same old, same old contrivances and cliched conventions. Mr. Kafka might ponder, “What is one of the key questions put forth by many of the best movies?” How about, “Precisely what qualities make a being human?” Solidarity, loyalty, respect for others and other sentient creatures, empathy, sympathy and the ability to suppress personal short-term goals for long term ones beneficial to the group, are important traits that come to mind. Think, “2001″, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “The Elephant Man”. Each film frames and poses this question with its own signature spin. In “2001″, was it not HAL who most exhibited these human traits? After seeing District 9, you will have to decide for yourself who the REAL humans are!
Rent this movie in Spain from FilmAmora.com
Categories: Science Fiction
