We crowned District 9 the film of 2009.
A hollowTerminatorreboot here, a limpWolverinethere, a dispiriting dose of mindless Bayhem to top it all off.
Sharlto Copleys Wikus van der Merwe is the heartbeat of the film.
Blomkamps film revolves around having this character slowly become that which he hates one of them.
And he succeeds by having Wikus arc far more interesting than the norm.
Largely improvised by Copley et al, the film has a raw vitality.
Blomkamp wears his influences firmly on his sleeve.
He even mixes in Cronenbergian body horror as Wikus slowly loses fingernails and teeth.
Blood covers the screen like Peter Jackson in his prime, as bodies and heads explode in graphic detail.
And its ancored by Copleys subtle shift that sees him drop the comedy and bring in the pathos.
Some critics have decriedD9s final half hour, accusing it of dropping the drama in favour of slam-bang entertainment.
Some things are perfectly formed.District 9is such a thing.Dont just take my word for it.
Although you have to fast forward past an enforcedThis Is Ittrailer to get there, which isnt so nice.
It looks fantastic but comes off a little dry and static.
Theres an audio commentary from Blomkamp, recorded prior to the films release in cinemas.
Rounding things out are quite a few deleted scenes, most of which were deleted for good reason.
Theres no sign of the original Blomkamp short,Alive In Joburg, which is a shame.
But since its readily viewable on YouTube, thats not so bad.
The Film:
Rating:
3 out of 5
