DISTRICT 9 (2009)

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"The best summer movie of 2009. Intelligent story, great action, and no Ice Cream Trucks that talk like Chris Tucker"

Hell yes! Finally a summer blockbuster that doesn't let down and doesn't feel too familiar. District 9 is an incredibly kick ass, intelligent, and well written sci fi that on a budget of $32 million does everything the right way. The poltical undertones in this movie are sharp and easy to pick up on but the good thing is they aren't being shoved in your face unlike another sci fi this year Knowing which practically bashed you over the head with a "believe in christianity" stick District 9 knows how to be subtle noone likes an overly preachy movie. What i love about Blomkamps style is he films D-9 in a very non traditional style using Cloverfield style handicam, regular steady cam, news footage, interviews, and frantic tony scott/michael bay style action editing etc. Of the few characters we have Vikus a flawed protagonist something rare in blockbusters either we havez the nerdy yet powerful get the girl action hero like Shia LaBoeuf in Transformers or the big musclebound ass kicker like Channing Tatum in GI JOE. This Vikus character starts off as a character you think is an asshole an annoying, obnoxiopus, and ignorant asshole but through the course of the film Blomkamp makes you like Vikus, then hate him , then like him again he toys with your emotions by giving you a character who doesn't always do the right thing it's more realistic and more accessible.

All the performances are solid granted there are only 3 main characters who aren't alien they come off as authentic. Everyone in this film is a no-namer which helps sell the documentary aspect of the film i especially enjoyede vikus's performance though that man deserves recognition. On to the action and effects now. District 9 has insane kick ass violence and doesn't pussy out and give us a PG-13 explosion fest. Instead we get the explosions but we also have decapitations ithout it feeling over the top or excessive like Hostel or a Saw sequel. The CG is remarkable and to be honest every blockbuster this year has had incredible effects but with D-9 the remarkable effects also have an incredible story to make it thoroughly worthwhile. The pacing is great we have an intense first half in which we get to fully understand our characters, we get a good idea of the alien situation and then the last act of the film goes Michael Bay on us. The differance? Well unlike Terminator Salvation which gave you too much action to the point that it's boring or Transformers 2 which had long over drwan action at the end, D-9 has already entertained you with a solid story you are literally engrossed in the film so when the action starts it doesn't feel like a distraction it feels like it belongs.

Anyway time to wrap it up at the moment i cannot think of anything i didn't enjoy when it comes to D-9. I can see why Mr.Blomkamp is Peter Jacksons protege and expect great things from him in the future. Best of all the trailer gives nothing away which is unusual of Hollywood films so if you want to be pleasantly surprised see THE summer movie of 2009 District 9.