It’s rare to be genuinely surprised by a film in today’s age. We are bombarded by advertisements, spoilers, interviews, trailers, remakes, and familiar stories constantly. The expected is becoming a a norm. From the first act of most films one can tell where a character is headed and where the plot will conclude. Few filmmakers revel in the element of surprise. J.J. Abrams and his crew have it down to a science. Pixar can implement it with ease, and every so often a filmmaker can debut with an inventive, original story. Duncan Jones doesn’t stand alone this year.
In a summer filled with disappointments a film has quietly crept along. A film that has no stars, much less a prominent director. A film that started an eye-catching viral marketing campaign. A film that presented a trailer with more questions than plot summary. The film is District 9 and it has arrived. With the help of producer Peter Jackson, director Neil Blomkamp has crafted a unique, engrossing science fiction adventure that not only is the best summer action blockbuster this year, it also serves as a thought-provoking comment on humanity. District 9 goes to places one can only dream and you will never want the experience to end.
Read the rest of this review below
Newcomer and high school friend of Blomkamp, Shartlo Copley, plays Wikus van der Merwe. Wikus works for Multi-National United (MNU), a company looking to extradite the alien population to a new location. These aliens have been here for 20 years and wanting to leave. After some history, given through interviews, the film follows the short period during the process of moving the aliens. Of course, things go wrong and we get taken on the most satisfying and exciting journey this year.
This exhilarating journey has much to do with Copley’s performance, which was almost entirely improvised. As an audience we follow Copley’s character in virtually every scene of the film. We partake in the slow, drastic transformation of not only his character, but the environment. If it was not for Copley’s offhand remarks, witty comments, and general lovable demeanor the film would be not as captivating. Fortunately Copley gives the film much-needed heart, making every moment even more gripping.
The only characters that get equal screentime as our protagonist are the aliens, or “prawns”. The CG work on these creatures is downright astonishing, and yes, it is all CG. What Blomkamp and company were able to do with $30 million dollars should turn Michael Bay’s robot testicles blue. The “money” shot of the massive hovering spacecraft is breathtaking every frame it’s on screen, but the real awe lies in the details. Whether it is the shimmer of the alien’s eyes or the small pieces of dirt that get carried with a rising ship, Blomkamp adds the perfect touch of realism to keep this outrageous story surprisingly grounded.
Everything in this district isn’t perfect though. The film starts with a intense documentary style that helps us jump directly into the conflict. Halfway through the film this style is completely dropped in favor of an all-out action rampage shot from an invisible third person perspective. I have no problem with the story shifting to this blockbuster mayhem but Blomkamp could have done a little better in keeping the audience invested in this engrossing verite style.
The real joy that comes from this project is not just the fantastic CG and the cool explosions, it’s the hope that studios will put more faith and less involvement in smart, original scripts. This summer we have seen what can happen when too many hands get on a project and the vision gets lost in the dollars. With his directorial debut Blomkamp, along with Jackson, has proved this vision can be kept alive and can reap rewards not just for the studios and filmmakers, but more importantly, the audience.
9 out of 10