District 9 第九禁區

Abandoning the usual settings of Hollywood sci-fi and placing us in the unforgiving slums of South Africa, we are given a unique piece of work which takes risks in how it tells its story. Not only does it go against the expectations of audiences who expect the usual straight-forward plot from their CGI-encrusted sci-fi fallacies, it goes way beyond expectations by actually providing a decent narrative in with the spectacle, therefore providing something to ponder after the visual-effects fix is instilled.

Instinctively alive to the history of segregation in Blomkamp's native land, South Africa, the film is thankfully spared of an overused, overexposed superstar to ruin the illusion. Every unknown face in the film gives a solid performance.

Blomkamp and his cinematographer, Trent Opaloch, shot the sci-fi like a documentary looking back on recent tragic events from the future. The mock-TV-news footage depicts aliens hopped up on their drug of choice, cat food, or scenes of human/alien clashes in the shantytowns. The faux-distressed TV-news coverage is ever-present, but the details are fresh, and the early scenes couldn't be better or more vivid. “This is how something like this might happen,” you would think.

One thing that lets the film down slightly though, is the pace of the film; the plot moves too fast for a documentary style. Scenes in the earlier part of the film in particular, feel unnaturally rushed and seemingly at odds with the realistic feel it was going for. Things just seem to happen a bit too fast, leaving little time to digest its premise and characters. An extended version of the film would allow a greater look into the reality the film has created.

Neill Blomkamp inspires reflection on poverty and ostracism with this epic debut, and viewers won't feel bamboozled, fooled or patronized by “District 9” as many sci-fi's end up doing. Instead they'll probably feel breathless, shaken and shamed.

“District 9” has so much to like and very little to complain about. It's spectacular and it's simple, Hollywood take note. Strangely funny in places, whilst entertaining and thoughtful at the same time, there is true talent on display here. If only there were more films like this, the world of cinema would be a more interesting place.

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