District 9

One of the smartest movies of the year. It's not so much the idea, but rather the way Blomkamp updated the genre. District 9 has everything one can ask for from dejected offshoots, moreover in a completely sophisticated package. And the idea of using a documentary not only as an authenticating component, but above all as a means of explaining abbreviations, simply deserves recognition. (09/23/2009)

Documentary preview spoiled by senseless perspectives "outside", bizarre exaggeration of side lines and glaring logical absurdities. Plus one solid action scene. This script simply hit a wall after ten minutes, as it unfolded into pig soldiers, insane scientists, and ritual-thinking Nigerians. Additionally, the only likable character is the backgrounded alien Christopher, who outshines the selfish Wikus in almost everything. Every battle clash must be accompanied by some bloody effect, prostitutes sleep with aliens (??), and Blomkamp clearly hits the taste of the audience and critical majority, who applaud him for the gritty atmosphere. But it does nothing for me, so for those few solid (although quickly drowned) ideas, just like this. (11/06/2009)

I’ll say up front that it's a better 4 stars, because I'm still a bit bleary eyed. It was there, what people are like. There was action. There were powerful weapons. There were interesting aliens. It was cool X-D I'm so freaked out about it. It's definitely worth a movie ticket. It really was beautifully believable, the documentary style didn't hurt it, at all. Watch it again? Why not. Well, the best part was the use of the "dusting" gun anyway. I guess I'm a weirdo for liking it... In short: I have such a hard-to-describe feeling about this movie, but my cheeks are burning, which means it was good and that I paid maximum attention. (09/16/2009)

Definitely the surprise of the year. I really didn’t expect D9 to be this good. The original approach of the guy who I’d almost written off during the test shots for Halo blew my mind. Blomkamp knows his stuff. He’s good at provoking mixed feelings, where you don’t know whether to laugh or be disgusted. The whole movie is supported by an amazing performance from the unknown Sharlto Copley and his Wikus is everything but a good-guy main lead. Regardless everything he does at the beginning, the viewer still can be on board with him. Most of the people and the prawns, are bastards anyway. When I think about it, the only actual good guy was Chris. :-) It’s the best sci-fi so far this year (but this will probably be beaten by Avatar which comes out December 17th). This year’s Terminator can go take a walk. - Should I shoot the little bastard? - , you can’t shoot it now, it’s illegal to do that. (11/14/2009)

Yeah, it is original, but I couldn't get rid of the feeling that the director, in an attempt to kick the audience's ass as much as possible, sometimes overplays his hand, which was especially evident in the insanely action-packed and over-the-top ending. On the other hand, the main idea is really good, the narration in a light documentary style is quite brisk and the depiction of the aliens as despised scum of society feeding on garbage is a really unprecedented touch of diversity, on which everyone has to make their own opinion. I definitely highly recommend watching the film, it’s a shining example of the fact that even with a little you can make quality and suspenseful science fiction that doesn't play games and serves what the viewers expect. That said, I would never call it a cult-classic. 75% (05/23/2012)