District 9

Release Date: Aug 14, 2009 

Runtime: 1 hr. 53 min. 

Director: Neill Blomkamp 

Cast: Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, David James, Vanessa Haywood, Mandla Gaduka. 

Upon watching the trailer and seeing viral posters plastered throughout the city, I still wasn't sure as to what "District 9" was all about. With virtually no-namers and documentary-style formatting, one can only presume that it would be another "Cloverfield" or "Blair Witch Project." But it was so much more than that. Director Neill Blomkamp makes his feature debut with a bold statement, backed up by none other than Peter Jackson. As the tension between alien lifeforms and humans are put to the test, we see the unmistakable resemblances of apartheid emerging that can't be ignored. The protagonist, Wikus, becomes the missing link between alien survival and advancement in human technology. As he tries to grasp the changes that are occurring, he comes to understand the species that he rejected not too long ago. While some scenes can be too gruesome to watch, the bleak landscape and violence help tell a more convincing story. Through realistic footage and interviews, the film poses questions and thoughts, while also opening up possibilities for a sequel. Since many things were left unanswered, it should be interesting to see how the situation develops further into the future. Overall, one of the more original films of this year. 

Rating: 4 stars