A film that completely surprised me. I watched this film not expecting too much and all I new about it was that it was about aliens. When I put it on I found myself thinking that it was going to be a rubbish film and nearly switched it off.

It is filmed in a documentary style format which I normally find annoying and surprisingly it is not set in America but in South Africa. The funny thing is that all the things that should make it a flop actually worked in its favour and I don't think I'm alone in my surprise.

Introduction:

This 2009 science fiction thriller was directed by Neill Blomkamp and written by Blomkampt and Teri Tatchell and produced by Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham. The story, adapted from Alive in Joburg, a 2005 short film directed by Blomkamp and produced by Copley. District 9 stars Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope and David James. Copley plays the role of Wikus van de Merwe. The film was nominated for 4 Oscars.

Plot:

The earth is visited by aliens nicknamed the "Prawns" appearing over Johannesburg, South Africa in 1981. Some twenty eight years later the initial enthusiasm from the humans has faded and the refugee camps where the aliens live have turned into militarized ghetto slums called District 9.

In 2010 an operative called Wikus van der Merwe is put in charge of a project by Multi National United who are contracted to forcibly evict the aliens. During the operation Wikus is exposed to a strange alien chemical and must rely on help form aliens as he is hunted by his own kind.

My opinion:

This film is a classic example that a Sci Fi movie with a great story doesn't need expensive special effects. The idea is original and delivers a clever message about racism, apartheid and segregation (sounds familiar). It is so refreshing to see a simple movie with a great concept that hasn't got that over top American feel to it. Sharlto Copley puts in a cracking performance and he makes it easy for you to connect with his character. You really see his desperation and how his perception of the aliens changes through the movie and his developing friendship between the two "Prawns" that become his only friends and his last hope.

It has been such a long time since a film has surprised me so much. I'm so glad I didn't switch it off in the first 10 minutes as I nearly did simply when I heard the South African accent. Not to say I have a problem with South Africans but simply it is drummed into us sometimes that if a movie is not American or British it can't be any good but certainly not in this case.