“District 9” has a definitely unique take on the alien invasion sub-genre that switches the tables on the old dichotomy between humans and aliens and it does it so well and in such a unique method that it is in a constant struggle searching for a protagonist to spotlight. But as most political situations involving illegal immigration and government, we rarely have someone we can root for or find empathy for. “District 9” is that skewering of illegal immigration and lower class struggles that makes it definitely one of the best films of 2009 and without a doubt one of the best science fiction films ever made. Blomkamp and company take the premise and fit it in to the sub genres of found footage films and alien invasions and rarely ever misses a beat between the changes in gear.
At times it’s a mock documentary about the arrival and other times the writers take the direction of a traditional narrative that explores what happens when the manipulators become the manipulated. Years ago aliens arrived on Earth seeking something or someone and ended up marooned on our planet among residents of South Africa. After being subjected to abuse, crooked government officials and the lower class’s exploitation of their resources the mystery remains after so many years subsequent their arrival: What are they here for? As mentioned Blomkamp and co. never really let us in and purposely go for a hero.
Instead we’re subjected to various characters from humanitarian organizations to street gangs and we’re left on a constant awareness of what they could be seeking and why they’re thought of as threats when they never really sought aggressive action against us. Through their introductions we’re let in as witnesses to cruelty occurring through media deception and an untrusting humanity that consumes and destroys with no sense of kindness or sympathy. Blomkamp makes us the evil breed through the events even providing our main character Wikus (newcomer Sharlto Copley provides an excellent performance) with a vicious relationship with the protagonist simply named Christopher by its human masters.
Their constant back and forth provides with glimpses at their dueling priorities and how far they’re willing to go to achieve their goals, one anxious to escape while the other feels more interested in helping himself. The direction and special effects are immaculate and there’s not a single chink in the armor. Blomkamp never shies away from commentary on our world and its individual peoples marking this as one of the most intelligent science fiction entries in the last ten years. Neill Blomkamps “District 9” is not just a science fiction film, but thesis on humanity and the cruelty and exploitation we’re capable of. It’s a look at our society and how information can easily turn a gentle species in to a horrible threat. Truly it’s one of the best 2009 had to offer hardcore sci-fi fans.