District 9 2009
This sci-fi alien flick has a different twist. Set in South Africa, it depicts destitute aliens stuck on earth and being kept by humans in shanty town encampments, specifically one called District 9. With the setting, there are obvious parallels to apartheid. But these aliens are tall two-legged insectoids that aren’t much fun to look at and even less so when they splatter. There is a lot of gross-out splatter and fluids in addition to the ugly aliens. Make no mistake, this is a gory, violent movie. If you can get past that, there is the political insight, some funny stuff featuring the main character who is kind of a South African Homer Simpson, put in charge of a private company’s alien relocation program precisely because he is so clueless. It starts off being shot like a documentary but eventually becomes more like an indie-made espionage movie, which is what it is. There are certainly better action espionage movies, but this one isn’t bad. However there are also great concepts and enough to keep you thinking long after the movie is over. I was turned off by the gore, but otherwise thought it was a pretty good movie. B+.
Written: 27 May 2010
Owned on: Digital