Comments on: District 9

By: Riby

Riby — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:17:18 +0000

A very good review of a very good movie. I am so used to disappointment these day in this genre, that it was quite a revelation. Although the effects were not fantastic, it had what so many sci fi films lack these days; a robust and gripping narrative. It powered the movie for me, creating an empathy with the characters ( especially the prawns), which helps you to ignore the few visual flaws there were.

Is it me, or was it slightly derivative of Alien Nation (1988)? Notably the prawn’s love of cat food ( sour milk). Though I don’t think the prawns got off their trollies on cat food. Or did they?

By: admin

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:24:22 +0000

It was an amazing movie, no doubt about it, but it takes something a bit more special to make me part with the full ten out of ten. It came very close though and is definitely a very, very solid 8, verging on 8 1/2.

Oh, and Jamie, “fock ooff”

By: Louise M

Louise M — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:00:09 +0000

I have to agree – on second viewing I was even more struck by Copley’s earnest, authentic performance. The range he showed was simply breath taking, steering the viewer from mild disdain for his character, to outright contempt, and then dragging it back to sympathy without once making you feel manipulated.

Best film of the year, easily. Best performance of the year too. I’d have been tempted to actually give this film the full ten skulls.

By: Jamie Carruthers

Jamie Carruthers — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:59:24 +0000

I think during a second viewing you can either ignore the themes and just enjoy a rollicking good sci fi adventure, or sit down and take note of what is actually being said.

Its the sort of film that is so rich in beauty, and in message, that it can be enjoyed multiple times without any loss of quality.

By: Jamie Carruthers

Jamie Carruthers — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:54:40 +0000

I really loved District 9, and I think it is amazing it was made for the same amount of money as this years low budget comedy effort, The Hangover.

The fact that it was made for just £30mil is a real testament to the directors skills.
The CGI is so robust, and the movie is shot so beautifully, you would never believe how little it cost. Especially in the same year as Transformers 2.

I was also pleasantly surprised that the none-too-subtle “apartheid is bad” subtext was not as cut and dry as I had expected.

My only minor criticism would be that I think they could have probably shaved a good twenty minutes off of the running time, as the big action set pieces loomed into view I found myself checking my watch.

A truly stunning and thought provoking movie.

Also, the word “fuck” in a South African accent was awesome to hear. Frrkk’n prawns!

By: stonecypher

stonecypher — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:48:34 +0000

I saw the film a second time, and, if anything, enjoyed it even MORE. Again, I think that has a lot to do with Copley’s ridiculously brilliant performance.