Film review - District 9

Better late than never, here's my review of District 9 (which I saw about a week and a half ago.) District 9 is a film by Neil Blomkamp adapted from his short film 'Alive in Johannesburg' it deals with what would happen if aliens landed in South Africa but not in a way that you would think. Its a sci-fi film but a sci-fi film with a beating heart of human drama. The documentary structure within the film is very cleverly implemented, giving the film a more intimate and realistic feel. A particular triumph is Wikus van der Merwe, the film's protagonist. He starts out as an ordinary, nerdy guy in an office; the type of guy we've all come across a million times. But he evolves into the extraordinary without being a cliched hero. You really feel for him as events around him get more and more bizarre, he's just a bewildered person who doesn't know what to do or why his life makes no sense anymore. You can really believe in the way he begins to fight back to regain control and the relationship he forms with one of the aliens is supremely touching. Sharlto Copley who plays him, is in his first major role and he's an absolute revelation. He gives a sensitive, nuanced performance that would put any experienced actor to shame. Blomkamp's direction is absolutely sublime, not only does the film look fantastic, it pulls you right in and along with Wikus on his strange odyssey. The real magic is in the small details Blomkamp uses, such as a heart-rending exchange in which the alien Christopher Johnson shows his son their new home in a refugee camp; its only a short scene but its so simple and beautiful and typifieas why everyone should see this movie. It handles the delicate issues of race and immigration in a sensitive and thought provoking way and is both illuminating and exciting. I thouroughly reccommed this movie to everybody, its one of the best I've seen this year.
Ruth.