District 9 – Blu-Ray
Feature
Twenty years ago a massive spacecraft came to Earth; it bypassed cities like New York and eventually came to a hover of Johannesburg in South Africa. The spaceship stayed there completely inert for a while until humans managed to enter the ship; inside they ... Read review
From producer Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) and director Neill Blomkamp ... more
comes a startlingly original science fiction thriller that 'soars on the imagination of its creators' (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone). With stunning special effects ...
From producer Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) and director Neill Blomkamp ... more
comes a startlingly original science fiction thriller that soars on the imagination of its creators (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone). With stunning special effects an...
Production Year: 2007 - Science Fiction - Director: Francis Lawrence - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Dash Mihok, Will Smith, Salli Richardson, Willow Smith
Advantages: visual effects, story telling, characters Disadvantages: none
=== District 9 – Blu-Ray ===
=== Feature ===
Twenty years ago a massive spacecraft came to Earth; it bypassed cities like New York and eventually came to a hover of Johannesburg in South Africa. The spaceship stayed there completely inert for a while until humans managed to enter the ship; inside they discovered over a million locust looking aliens whom they nicknamed prawns. The aliens were malnourished and dying so a decision ... ...could live. That area is District 9.
Being in such close proximity with Humans it is inevitable that there would be conflict and tension and so it was decided that the aliens would be moved to another camp 200km away from District 9 and so the MNU, who is the company that oversees the camp, has been charged with moving the 1.8 million aliens away to the new camp.
The task for putting this into motion is given to Wilkus Van ... more
District 9 – Blu-Ray
Feature
Twenty years ago a massive spacecraft came to Earth; it bypassed cities like New York and eventually came to a hover of Johannesburg in South Africa. The spaceship stayed there completely inert for a while until humans managed to enter the ship; inside they discovered over a million locust looking aliens whom they nicknamed prawns. The aliens were malnourished and dying so a decision was made to bring them to Earth and set up an area where they could live. That area is District 9.
Being in such close proximity with Humans it is inevitable that there would be conflict and tension and so it was decided that the aliens would be moved to another camp 200km away from District 9 and so the MNU, who is the company that oversees the camp, has been charged with moving the 1.8 million aliens away to the new camp.
The task for putting this into motion is given to Wilkus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copley) who is an officer within MNU. Wikus is not really an ideal man for the job, It isn’t that he is so much incompetent as he just doesn’t take enough precautions and he is exposed to some alien biotechnology, after Wilkus is exposed he finds out some shocking news and also needs to form an alliance, an alliance he would never have dreamt would of occurred.
I recall hearing in the bonus features that District 9 is not a political film and is not out there to make a political statement although I find that difficult to believe and there are a number of reasons for this. Initially the film is set in South Africa and in recent history this country had apartheid to separate white and black people. District 9 is an area segregated too with aliens within the confines of what is essentially a prison camp, and the humans outside.
Secondly also on researching this review I read that there used to be an area in Cape Town called District 6, this was an eclectic mixed of races whom had settled in an area and the Government had decided to relocate the inhabitants and had evicted them to an area 25km away, In district 9 the MNU are attempting to evict the aliens to take them to another camp.
But political statement or not there is no denying that Writer/director Neill Blomkamp and writer Terri Tachell have come up with a fantastic story that has us rooting for the good guys, and the good guys in district one are not necessarily human. Sharlto Copley who plays Wikus Van De Merwe is fantastic in his role; I am really surprised that he has not been discovered as an actor earlier although he did play a role as a sniper in Blomkamp’s first ever directorial outing called Alive in Joburg; he brings a sense of realism to the movie that I found stunning. He balances the character in such a way that initially we are not really sure what to think of him, at points comes across as a semi competent bureaucrat that has been given a promotion well above his station, but then that character changes into a man that grows stronger and has belief and conviction, although the changes he makes are so subtle it is completely believable and a natural evolution on the man.
The aliens are fantastically created. Being around 7 feet tall they resemble locusts and live in hive like hierarchy, they sift through rubbish within the landfill surrounding their shacks finding scraps of food and junk, although it also appears that they are searching for something, they also have dealings with the local Nigerian warlord who buys their guns (which they hide in caches) and other weaponry and it is hinted that prostitutes satisfy the aliens needs too although thankfully we don’t see that and the movie never goes there, in return the warlord supplies the aliens with cat food at highly inflated prices, they (the aliens) had developed a taste, almost an addiction to the stuff since they landed some 20 years before.
Where the first half of the film deal more with building Van De Merwe’s character and setting the initial background behind District 9 and the MNU performing the evictions. The second half of the film will appeal more to the action fans like me. I cannot reveal much as it would be a spoiler but suffice to say that we see some of the enemy weapons in use and running battles with MNU mercenaries and the Nigerian Gang and very impressive it is too with explosions and bullets thudding into metal and flesh, also if you are into computer gaming and are familiar with half-life2 there is a gun used that is very similar to the anti-gravity gun wielded by Gordon Freeman.
Blomkamp is a director to watch out for in the future, the storytelling (which he penned along with Terri Tatchell) is superb and his directorship style is refreshing and nice to watch. The documentary style portions fit in with the more traditional sequences like a glove to the point where they are unnoticeable by the viewer, also the documentary style here is not like the style in say a film like Cloverfield which although I personally enjoyed had excessive use of the shaky camera which can get tedious.
Come the end I was struggling to find anything negative to say about the film, and I suppose if I were to be really harsh I would question how the humans would understand the aliens language, but I think that is a particularly harsh point for me to bring up and I can safely say that I enjoyed everything about the film, I can’t wait until the next one.
Bonus
As well as the Directors Commentary there are Deleted Scenes A whole heap of deleted scenes; you can play all or watch them individually, however there is no explanation as to why these scenes was deleted nor is there any commentary explaining why they were deleted. Most of the scenes are very short.
The Alien Agenda – A Filmmakers log (three-part documentary): These three documentaries essentially form a “making of” for District 9, Each part deals with a different part of the movie. The first part covers the creative ideas behind the film. The second part covers the actual filming of District 9 and the third part which is called refining District 9 takes us through the post production of the film.
I am not sure why they split it into three parts although there is a play all option but as a whole it is a decent “making of” documentary and it holds our interest throughout its total (approximate) 40 minutes length and explains every aspect of the film that you would want to know about.
Metamorphosis – The transformation of Wikus: This covers the make up that Sharlto Copley went through, sometimes his makeup would take up to 5 hours but when you see the results that they produce you can see that they have done a fantastic job.
Innovation – Acting & Improvisation: As the title suggests this covers the acting and we find out that the actors were given a great deal of freedom into how to approach their scenes and how they were allowed to improvise on the lines that they needed to say.
Conception & Design – Creating the World of District 9: We get to see the design sets that were created.
Alien Generation – Visual Effects: We see how the aliens were created as well as the exo-suit that Wikus dons in the film.
Joburg from above – satellite and schematics of the world of District 9 Interactive Map (BR Exclusive): This is exactly as described, a satellite view map that allows you to drill down and find out more information about specific aspects of District 9 and the surrounding area.
Overall
A must see movie from a new Director that is at the top of its game for storytelling and cinematography and an ending that will leave you thinking.
Advantages: Great CGI's, Inventive Story Telling and Excellent Visual Creativity Disadvantages: A Bit Gory
District 9 is a new movie showing at the cinemas which was written and directed by Neill Blomkamp who is known mostly for making music videos. He was chosen to direct the film Halo but because of a studio row the film came to a halt and Blomkamp skulked of and fell into a deep depression. Peter Jackson of Lord of the Rings fame who was producing Halo at the time must have seen some creative sparkle in Blomkamp. He encouraged the young director to ... ...and Jackson financed it. Hence District 9 was created and released by Sony Pictures this year in August. The film starts in a documentary mode telling us about District 9, a camp that was built to give shelter and aid for aliens who landed on earth thirty years ago. We see through various news reels, conversations, interviews and other media coverage that when their large, bulky spaceship was spotted over Johannesburg, human beings expected a massive ...
Praski 13.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of District 9
Advantages: A cracking film, with action and drama in spades, compelling humanitarian themes and lots going on Disadvantages: Straddles genres more than is recommended?
...positive reviews for new film District 9, I took a trip to my local cinema this afternoon to see what all the fuss was about. I have to say that I had fairly high hopes and I don't feel as if I've been disappointed. *Johannesburg's 'alien' ghetto* Without divulging too much (as the plot behind the story is fairly well known now), Sharlto Copley plays Wikus van der Merwe, an unlikely, awkward hero thrust into the role of being responsible for arranging ... ...the stylishly stubbled 'cowboys' of District 9's MNU and questionable armies for hire in recent conflicts (for example, Blackwater Inc. in Iraq) seem quite thinly veiled. Linking in to this is the fact that (for me anyway), this film seemed to discuss the struggle for resources in areas which may already be somewhat deprived, as can be seen with ethnic violence and the millions of IDPs (internally displaced persons) around the world. The general ...
edinburgher 06.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of District 9
Advantages: Well Made, Engrossing, Leaves You Thinking and Enjoyable Disadvantages: None for Me
...spot watching within hours, so District 9 was a must for the weekends cinema going activities. Did it live up to the hype?
General Details
----------------------
This Film is directed by Neill Blomkamp and produced by Peter Jackson. It runs for approximately 112 minutes and is rated 15 here in the UK.
Originally the idea was scripted back in 2005 and made into a short film, which has now been improved and funded into the feature length. I have ... ...was very eager to see District 9 as the Halo short is brilliant. Anyway....on to the film....
Story
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An alien spaceship grinds to a halt over Johannesburg in South Africa and a small population of aliens are brought down to earth and put into a sort of refugee camp / shanty town complex since they need somewhere to stay.
The locals do not like the unknown creatures, which they nicknamed “prawns” due to the fact they look like them and ...
chugglebunny 10.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of District 9
Advantages: Intriguing and exciting story Disadvantages: A little ridiculous
...to earth and confined to District 9, a refugee style camp in the city centre. But twenty years later the humans have had enough of the prawns who continue to break rules and commit crimes and violence. Wikus Van De Merwe is appointed to lead his team from Multi-National United (MNU) to evict the aliens into a new area away from the city. But when he is exposed to an alien fluid, Wikus's allays and perspectives trade places - he becomes a prime target ... ...most definitely going to be a District 10. Despite my initial views and even if it was slightly ridiculous, I ended up thoroughly enjoying this and I will definitely be looking forward to seeing a sequel. Running time: 112 minutes Certificate rating: 15 Director: Neill Blomkamp ...
frankiefromings13 11.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of District 9
Advantages: Good action sequences, interesting moral ideas. Disadvantages: Terrible (and I mean terrible) acting, disjointed.
...in South Africa known as District 9. Years on however, these prawn-like creatures are seen as a resource eating nuisance and live in slum conditions. The subject of abuse from a corrupt government and Nigerian gangs they are about to be relocated to the even worse District 10. Fortunately, they may well have found themselves an unwitting ally in government stooge Wilkus who finds himself exposed to a DNA altering gas. As he becomes more alien by ... ...don't really get District 9. It seems to have gone down well with almost all film audiences and critics but I feel like I must be missing something. I think maybe a lot of it is because it has strong apartheid references and themes. The alien's enforced segregation and mistreatment so clearly reflecting the issues that have occurred in South Africa over the years. It obviously a subject close to native South African fledging Director Neil Blomkamp's ...
Shortsharpshock 27.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of District 9
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Advantages: Docu-type filming fascinating, interesting take on humans vs aliens. Disadvantages: None
], the government gives in to public demand to rescue the aliens and houses them in a government camp called District9.
Twenty years later, 2010, the same population who had demanded that the aliens be saved, are demanding that they be banished to some other part of the world where none will have to see ? or interact ? with them. The aliens, who have turned the area they live in, District9, into a massive slum because of over-population, have become incredibly unpopular with the residents who live nearby, and the government, in a bid to calm the population, contracts control of the aliens to a private company, Multi-National United [MNU], who is more interested in alien technology than the aliens themselves... unfortunately for them, the technology is linked directly to the aliens? DNA, which means that none of the weapons or machinery can be ...
Advantages: Action packed Disadvantages: keeping up with the stories
CRASH, Is a challenging and thought provoking movie, taking an in depth and brave look at racial tolerance in America Post 9/11.
The plot consists of about 8 or more very different story lines, A housewife and her District attorney husband, A Persian shop owner, Two police officers and their relationship, A television director, Two car thieves, a policeman (rookie) and a Korean couple, all have their beliefs and dreams changed by certain events which happen within the 24 hours the movie based around.
I Really really enjoyed this movie, the cast which includes top actors such as Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle and Matt Dillon who don't necessarily seem to work on serious ("good") movies really surprised me Sandra Bullock is outstanding as the tough housewife and Matt Dillon was perfectly chosen as the hard cop.
The impeccable cast ...
ljansen 14.09.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Crash
Contains one use of very strong language and strong bloody violence
Video Category
Feature Film
Country Of Origin
United States of America
Plot
Genre master Peter Jackson (BAD TASTE, THE LORD OF THE RINGS) produces this science-fiction flick, the directorial debut of Neill Blomkamp, here expanding his renowned short film. In DISTRICT 9, South Africa has become a haven for refugees--from outer space. However, with the extra-terrestrials becoming inducted into society they become the new minority group targeted by the small-minded.
Release details
Studio(s)
SONY PICTURES
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Sound
Dolby Digital
Professional reviews
Review
A genuinely original science fiction film that grabs you immediately, not letting go until the final shot (Hollywood Reporter, 21/08/2009)
In a good summer, there's usually a movie that will come out of nowhere and completely wow us. This is a good summer, and that movie is DISTRICT 9 (Los Angeles Times, 21/08/2009)
In the midst of it all you almost take for granted the carefully rendered details of the setting, the tightness of the editing and the inventiveness of the special effects (New York Times, 21/08/2009)
DVD Description
Director Neill Blomkamp teams with producer Peter Jackson (LORD OF THE RINGS) for this tale of extraterrestrial refugees stuck in contemporary South Africa. It's been 28 years since the aliens made first contact, but there was never any attack from the skies, nor any profound technological revelation capable of advancing our society. Instead, the aliens were treated as refugees. They were the last of their kind, and in order to accommodate them, the government of South Africa set up a makeshift home in District 9 as politicians and world leaders debated how to handle the situation. As the humans begin to grow wary of the unwelcome intruders, a private company called Multi-National United (MNU) is assigned the task of controlling the aliens. But MNU is less interested in the aliens' welfare than attempting to understand how their weaponry works. Should they manage to make that breakthrough, they will receive tremendous profits to fund their research. Unfortunately, the highly advanced weaponry requires alien DNA in order to be activated. When MNU field operative Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley) is exposed to biotechnology that causes his DNA to mutate, the tensions between the aliens and the humans intensifies. Wikus is the key to unlocking the alien's technology, and he quickly becomes the most wanted man on the planet. Ostracized and isolated, Wikus retreats to District 9 in a desperate bid to shake his dogged pursuers.
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