Comments on: Film review – District 9 (2009)

By: Thomas Caldwell

Thomas Caldwell — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:22:22 +0000

Hi Aaron and thanks for dropping by. You are right, the political aspect is very straightforward and probably more so than what I usually go for but I think it's fine for this type of film. Interesting remark about The Battle of Algiers. I suppose it can be read as a predecessor to films like Distrct 9 for its mix of politics with a realist documentary aesthetic.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 21:02:50 +0000

Loved the movie, although I don’t think it deserves the hub-bub going on about it. I think the political aspect is a little straightforward for my liking.

I agree with others that the trailers did have some deceptive visuals regarding whether this film had a documentary style. Kinda reminds me of The Battle of Algiers.

By: Thomas Caldwell

Thomas Caldwell — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:50:01 +0000

Thanks for dropping by Romy and nicely put. The aliens are gorgeous I agree but I really think we should refer to them as non-terrestrials or species-with-an-origin-other-than-Earth.

By: Romy

Romy — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:42:23 +0000

Concur that it’s a thoughtful and provocative film. Not only does it brave adding unconventional dimensions to the genre but they actually work together harmoniously. Also hard not to respect a genre film where people are evenly lit rather than typecast as good and evil. Despite the protagonist being so dislikable, he struck a number of sympathetic chords, in Gollumesque fashion. I think it’s a winner.

Oh, and the prawns are gorgeous.

By: Kwenton

Kwenton — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:48:31 +0000

Definitely harsh, it ran rings, and painted a masterpiece over Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, the worst film possibly ever.

By: Thomas Caldwell

Thomas Caldwell — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:08:06 +0000

Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy the film but the "biggest crap in 2009" is a little harsh. Trust me, there are far worse films doing the rounds this year. I really hate the video game look in films too but I don't think that District 9 is one of the main offenders. At least it looked real and not like a series of obvious CGIs (think Transformers 2). And it wasn't a mindless film at all. In fact, as films with a strong emphasis on action go, it was extremely thoughtful.

By: dork

dork — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:03:59 +0000

The film was a great disappointment.
I expected a lot but it only turned out to be an irritating camera-shaking videogame. The plot-line was ridiculous and had great holes.
The biggest crap in 2009!!!

It’s time writers should read more traditional literature to create strong storylines. Not silly, mindless violent cinematic video-games.

By: Kwenton

Kwenton — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:26:31 +0000

I really liked it too, It’s just a sticking point with me, that the storyline; Wikus and his ordeal is the focal point of the film, and all the buzz, the trailers(which has doco-like scenes that were NOT in the film) and the synopsis, initially did not mention any of it. Of course it is a moot point to talk about what could have been, you are right, but this is how the film was represented, I am not reviewing the film, on their own merits, you have done that well. I am being critical about the fact it is a mainstream genre film as you stated and not a mockumentary.

By: Thomas Caldwell

Thomas Caldwell — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:34:01 +0000

Trailers often misrepresent the films that they are advertising. You can’t blame a film or its filmmaker for the way the marketing team from the distribution company chose to promote the film.

Also, while I think you’re suggestions would definitely have worked, and maybe even resulted in a better film, we can’t judge a film for what it isn’t but for what it is. You may have preferred it to have been something else and you may have been given the wrong impression by the trailers but that is all beside the point.

District 9 is intended to be a mainstream genre film that nevertheless contains political commentary, which is not exactly subtle I know. It is still inventive and original but ultimately its aim was to make its point while keeping the audience entertained with lots of explosions and special effects. I don’t think it was dumbed down at all. I just think that Blomkamp is aware of what a mainstream audience want from a film. Nevertheless, he still managed to imbed some really interesting ideas beneath the surface. And that’s why I liked it (but also because explosions are cool).

By: Kwenton

Kwenton — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:17:57 +0000

Well the film was wide release, so it makes sense there wasn’t an entirety of focus on the specifics, but I still think it would have worked better if it was more like the trailers professed intentions; doco style, with vignettes of alien/human scenes that emphasized and helped explain, not found footage either, like for example, after talking about Wikus in the past tense, it could focus on him for a bit then move on, but it stuck with him, and the film changed gears, I just thought it would have been better to focus on other things, as opposed to dumbing the plot down to one man and his battle against the evil government/corporation, and still stay in the doco style, it could have worked, no?

By: Thomas Caldwell

Thomas Caldwell — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:15:18 +0000

I've read similar comments elsewhere about the fact that District 9 is not strictly a mockumentary and it is a fair point. However, I liked the fact that Blomkamp choose to break some of the rules in order to adopt the documentary aesthetic without the burden of having to constantly remind the audience of the mechanics of how it all works. Redacted and Diary of the Dead are examples of two recent films that lost some of their edge because they got too obsessed with repeatedly reminding the audience they there were supposedly constructed with found footage. Also, I think District 9 is classic science-fiction in the sense that it takes a futuristic scenario (or in this case an alternative present scenario) to make contemporary political and cultural commentary. It may not contain any elements of "hard science-fiction" but it is no less a science-fiction films than the classic films I mentioned in my review. I really think that film history is going to treat District 9 well. But I've been wrong about these things before!

By: Kwenton

Kwenton — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:49:55 +0000

great review! it was certainly a more accessible film in terms of the sci-fi genre and has bolstered the credibility, much like Children of Men, however, I disagree with the seamless integration of the film styles and think the trailer misled, as the film is not really mockumentary at all. Also the sci-fi elements are only briefly touched upon, although we are surrounded by it, and the film just turns into B-grade action with B-grade acting near the end, albeit the sense of urgency was great.

By: Kat

Kat — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:17:16 +0000

I agree – loved it!

By: DrPhilm

DrPhilm — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 05:03:08 +0000

Good to hear! I’m really looking forward to catching this next week!