At first glance, this is a classic science fiction film.
However, it is much more.
“District 9” is a study in xenophobia and intolerance.
Stranded on Earth, aliens are confined to a ghetto in modern South Africa. The suspicion of and hostility toward the aliens is reminiscent of the attitudes held by many whites about blacks in South Africa during apartheid.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/d6PDlMggROA" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]The movie focuses on one alien and a human who works for a multinational corporation (Multi-National United – MNU) assigned to relocating the aliens from District 9.
Multi-National United field operative Wikus van der Merwe is exposed to alien DNA and begins to mutate.
Now that he is changing into an alien hybrid, Wikus van der Merwe is able to fire those weapons. That makes him an invaluable asset to the government, which has been unable to use alien weapons.
The first part of the movie is frustrating because of the constant switching of camera angles and colors. There are interviews with talking heads and the whole segment appears disjointed.
However, the second half of the film really picks up and becomes a full throttle action adventure.
“District 9” is the classic alien movie in reverse: instead of aliens attempting to subjugate humans, humans seek to control the aliens.
Director Neill Blomkamp and producer Peter Jackson have done a great job of creating a thinking person’s science fiction and action movie. It is a must see not only for fans of the genre but also for those interested in politics and social issues.
“District 9” is now available to rent.
Murphy can be reached at: [email protected]
