There is a certain charm to a film that is created on a smaller budget, harkens back to a classic genre, places meaning and substance ahead of big names, has traces of humor and satire, and blows shit up. Well the last one mainly pertains to the fact that the effects were top notch without overriding the story. I am talking about what has become a sensation, District 9. While my summer plodded along (meaning is now almost over and it felt like it had just begun), not many films had caught my attention at the box office. Star Trek was cool and Wolverine: Origins was bad, many films just fell into the cracks of the summer blockbuster season. Then the buzz began and grew until I had no other choice but to throw caution to the wind and watch District 9. A simple sentence to get us on the way, it was fan-fricken-tastic!
Obviously the film is about aliens, not much of a spoiler there. However; while District 9 firmly places itself in the canon of alien films, it never feels like an alien film. There has been much talk about apartheid and race relations, yet even without those discussions the film creates this air of humanity that simply cannot be missed. The aliens become more than just aliens, and not in the ET kind of way. I am quite sure that no one gets all warm and cuddly about the prawns anymore that you would get warm and cuddly over sharks or poisonous jellyfish. There is a brilliance in being able to take a disgusting creature that the audience can engage with on an emotional level. We empathize with their plight simply because the plight is all too human. The real key to this interaction is that it is not an in your face style of message giving like other “message” films.
One aspect that is not discussed is the transformation of Wikus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copley). I do not want to give too much away but I think it’s important to take notice of the Kafkaesque metamorphosis that occurs. Copley’s acting provides the viewer with a very realistic point of entry into the film because he reacts much like any of us would given his situation. Yet in his transformation we are confronted with a “what would you do” commentary backed with the opening of a can of cat food (or worms if the metaphor doesn’t work). His path leads to the inevitable yet somehow moves the viewer to emotional depth that is just not possible without the transformation.
Beyond the well written script, the film also has a good grasp on effective techniques of film-making. Typically, aliens would equal really big explosions and fight scenes that would cost in the millions. Don’t get me wrong, District 9 has its share of those – but without the pompousness associated with spending millions of dollars to give the audience those look at the masturbatory nature of my film-making moments that accompany many Michael Bay films. District 9 works with a lower budget to produce more succinct effects that work with the film rather than work outside the film. Even the mixing of narrative style and documentary style works very well and adds to the ambiance of the film. I hate to say welcome back to old school sci-fi, but this film certainly feels more like those films that anything else.
At one point, The Matrix existed as one of those films that works on many levels where the sci-fi elements were used to discuss ideas in a freer manner than a straight forward drama could. Then they made the sequels and pissed on a truly extraordinary film. The only downside to District 9 is that there is a very good chance that a sequel will be made. I beg of the studios and Neill Blomkamp, do not go bigger budget and become a laughing stock. I hope to look back at District 9 and not feel that the film is tarnished by a studio and director that want to go bigger just because they can.
District 9 was more than a perfect summer film, it was a layered experience that can lead to meaningful discussion and the opportunity to look at ourselves. While other films may hit you over the head with their message, this film’s subtle delivery (so it’s not totally subtle due to the location) allows room for many interpretations. There is something more to District 9, it’s just up to you to decide what that something is. I could end it there but I do have one more fanboy thing to add…using a pig as a weapon was just the icing on the cake!
