The best sci-fi thriller you've seen in years, District 9 takes such mega-budget crap as Transformers 2 and GI Joe and rubs their faces in mud. Helmed by South African-born writer-director Neill Blomkamp and produced by Peter Jackson, this is edge-of-the-seat entertainment with a sociopolitical message -- a cerebral blockbuster if you like.

Now here's the film's plot: In the 1980s, an enormous spaceship suddenly stopped over Johannesburg city, and its inhabitants, instead of launching a hostile attack, had to be relieved from their stranded vehicle and accommodated on earth. Far away from human population, a refugee camp known as District 9 was created for these crustacean-like aliens, who have since come to acquire the derogatory nickname, "prawns".

Cut to the present day. A private company, MNU is put in charge of evicting the aliens from District 9 which has turned into something of a slum over the years. The officer in charge of eviction and relocation, Wikus van der Merwe (played by first-timer Sharlto Copley) fails to take precautions during the evacuation and becomes infected with alien DNA.

The movie obviously stirs thoughts of the old South African apartheid system, especially in the manner in which the prawns are portrayed as trapped between a private-contract army that breaks into their homes at will, and an underworld of Nigerian gangsters who exploit them. Yet the film never turns into a lecture on tolerance; the message is out there but you're never pounded on the head with it.

District 9 is more engaging than most sci-fi films because it adopts a docudrama approach to the unraveling of its story, and because it's never overwhelmed by its own special effects like most films of this genre invariably are.

The stars of this film are always its characters. Like Wikus, for one, who goes from nerdy but confident bureaucrat to helpless prawn-in-the-making. Or Christopher, the alien scientist who's been secretly working on a plan with his son to get back on the mothership. Their unlikely friendship forms the exciting third act of this film which reminds you, in case you've forgotten, that you're watching an action blockbuster after all -- there's enough bullets flying, blood splattering, and big explosions to make hardcore fans very happy.

Like all good films, this one too works because it's a compelling drama that's driven by its characters. As a sci-fi saga, it never compromises on spectacle value, and still succeeds in staying smart.

I'm going with four out of five and two big thumbs up for District 9. Drop everything else and watch this film. Even if you're not a sci-fi fan, you'll still enjoy this one.

Rating: 4 / 5 (Very Good)

The best sci-fi thriller you've seen in years, District 9 takes such mega-budget crap as Transformers 2 and GI Joe and rubs their faces in mud. Helmed by South African-born writer-director Neill Blomkamp and produced by Peter Jackson, this is edge-of-the-seat entertainment with a sociopolitical message -- a cerebral blockbuster if you like.

Now here's the film's plot: In the 1980s, an enormous spaceship suddenly stopped over Johannesburg city, and its inhabitants, instead of launching a hostile attack, had to be relieved from their stranded vehicle and accommodated on earth. Far away from human population, a refugee camp known as District 9 was created for these crustacean-like aliens, who have since come to acquire the derogatory nickname, "prawns".

Cut to the present day. A private company, MNU is put in charge of evicting the aliens from District 9 which has turned into something of a slum over the years. The officer in charge of eviction and relocation, Wikus van der Merwe (played by first-timer Sharlto Copley) fails to take precautions during the evacuation and becomes infected with alien DNA.

The movie obviously stirs thoughts of the old South African apartheid system, especially in the manner in which the prawns are portrayed as trapped between a private-contract army that breaks into their homes at will, and an underworld of Nigerian gangsters who exploit them. Yet the film never turns into a lecture on tolerance; the message is out there but you're never pounded on the head with it.

District 9 is more engaging than most sci-fi films because it adopts a docudrama approach to the unraveling of its story, and because it's never overwhelmed by its own special effects like most films of this genre invariably are.

The stars of this film are always its characters. Like Wikus, for one, who goes from nerdy but confident bureaucrat to helpless prawn-in-the-making. Or Christopher, the alien scientist who's been secretly working on a plan with his son to get back on the mothership. Their unlikely friendship forms the exciting third act of this film which reminds you, in case you've forgotten, that you're watching an action blockbuster after all -- there's enough bullets flying, blood splattering, and big explosions to make hardcore fans very happy.

Like all good films, this one too works because it's a compelling drama that's driven by its characters. As a sci-fi saga, it never compromises on spectacle value, and still succeeds in staying smart.

I'm going with four out of five and two big thumbs up for District 9. Drop everything else and watch this film. Even if you're not a sci-fi fan, you'll still enjoy this one.

Rating: 4 / 5 (Very Good)

There are no big stars in this movie. So if that's what you're hoping for, to see something familiar, then you are going to be very disappointed.

Oh, and if you can't realize that humans and their "humanity" aren't an automatic given, then you're not going to like this movie. The concept of decency to a vast majority of the human race is NOT something that we're born with. It's not something that can be nurtured. This movie points out that either through an innate evil maliciousness or a malicious sensibility that comes from being stupid and gullible (or really, let's face it - the majority of people are just plain stupid), humans are pretty much the cockroaches that infest the Earth.

So Over All its a pretty good movie.

Captavating and erie. A planet in the future that now has to deal with aliens crash landing and becoming pests on our world. Just another mouth to feed for planet earth. Atleast that mouth loves cheap catfood. The earthly organization in charge of the illegal aliens are no more then bullies trying to confiscate any alien tech they can.

Aliens have landed.....Only to be exiled to the slums of Johannesburg. One human discovers the mysterious secret of the extraterrestrial weapon technology. Hunted and hounded through the backalleys of an alien shantytown, he will discover what it means to be the ultimate outsider on your home planet. Awesome film!!!

I caught an early screening of this movie last night. I went into it with high expectations considering the high ratings it has been getting already. My expectations were not high enough however because this film exceeded my them in every way possible.

I will not go far into detail because I would prefer to not spoil anything. This is unlike any sci-fi we have seen in years. Forget Terminator 3 and 4, forget the AVP movies, forget all those laughable sci-fi movies, this film is what we have been waiting for. An original idea, an original concept, brilliantly executed, great CGI, good acting, it just has it all. We have seen many aliens come to earth movies, but this is different, I will not say why though. That is for you to find out when you see it, which I HIGHLY recommend you do.

This movie, quality-wise, matches up with the popular Sci-Fi films we love. The original Alien, the original Predator, The Matrix, Star Wars, etc. While I enjoyed those ones more because they are classics, this one clearly meets the standards we expect today when it comes to quality. A big driving force behind this, in my opinion, is the fact that high esteemed Peter Jackson is behind this project as the producer. After seeing his masterful Lord of the Rings saga, anyone can see that he knows what he is doing.

As far as movies for this year, this is definitely top 5 so far on my list (Up, Star Trek, 500 Days of Summer, HP6, and District 9). Thank you Jackson and Hollywood for finally producing the best Sci-Fi in years. If this movie does not make its way to IMDb top 250 then I will be in awe.

See this movie!

I recently attending a promotional screening of District 9. I would like to give my opinion of the film, but not any of the plot or details.

I went into the theater basically only knowing the genre of the film, being exposed just to the minimal "humans only" ads. While I watching the film, I immediately wanted to view it again. It is intriguing and highly entertaining, with a dynamic characters and rich in both humor and action. Once it ended, my friends and I chattered excitedly about the numerous aspects we liked. As cliché as it may be, there are parts of this film that will stay with you.

When it is released, I will be waiting with everyone else to see it again!!!

This film does not break from the stalls immediately with explosions and small arms fire which cause cars to explode and flip as if it MUST appeal to your raging blood lust straight away or you will turn in disgust to write a hate review with your favourite crayon; In the first five minutes it does not have a two dimensional central protagonist with generic GQ and Mens Fitness characteristics explain in passing to a second similar, but not quite so striking, supporting role character the premise, backstory, present situation and limited requisite developments needed in order for a suitably consumable path to resolution at the necessarily predictable end of the film in order for the poor retarded viewer to engage and enjoy it; It is an earth bound sci-fi not set near Central Perk, Beverly Hills High or any other comfortingly familiar sight... so unfortunately you cannot at any point gawp, elbow the person next to you and blubberingly enthuse, "Look, it's the (Add familiar landmark here)!"; It's underlying message is fairly latent but has no equivalent of Charlton Heston screaming to the heavens- or more accurately you the viewer- "We were the apes!", or anything even reminiscent of a James Tiberius Kirk soliloquy. Everything that have-a-go critics and shallow detractors of this film say that it is not and does not have make it the wonderfully accomplished and pure sci-fi flick that it is. If Philip K. Dick or Isaac Asimov could have had the chance to watch this they would have felt for their popcorn with their fingers and their soft-drinks straws with their lips. I loved it. I rarely post comments and realise I have ranted but I felt it necessary. 10/10

From the visionary mind of Peter Jackson comes a movie so riveting, shocking, and marvelous you'll swear you've just gotten the Goosebumps when it's over.

The following takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa where years ago humans first made contact with an extraterrestrial race. Years later when they evolve into slum like creatures they become a threat to humans alike. A government agency known as MNU (Multi-National United) then came in and locked them up in a secured facility called District 9. One day on a classified mission to evict the creatures out of their homes a MNU agent named Wickus is exposed to their biotechnology making his DNA as powerful and as indestructible as one of the creatures. He quickly becomes the most dangerous man in the world after learning that MNU associates want to use him as a weapon, but the creatures believe that he is the key to their survival.

This is a unique and visually stunning masterpiece that's thought provoking, imaginative & terrifying. It also begs to ask the question "what if we aren't alone in the universe?" Director Neill Blomkamp dares us to expect the unexpected, and with the help of producer Peter Jackson (Director of Lord of the Rings trilogy & King Kong) he's able to grab the viewer's attention, and take them on a tense and realistic journey that will leave you speechless afterwards.

Despite all its potential, the film takes quite a while to get moving. It starts off slow, and you'll feel as if you're watching a documentary but if you wait patiently action, suspense and originality awaits you. Another thing to be warned of is that this isn't "Independence Day." It's complex, gory, and might be too much for squeamish viewers. It's aimed towards mature teens, so leave the kids at home.

If you're willing to be acceptable of that, this is a sci-fi stunner that's so originally well done, technically brilliant and extremely good fun

I attended a promotional screening for this with a pretty good attitude towards all the hype that surrounded it. It was not what I expected, it was much better.

Not only were the CGI top notch, but the narrative is driven through a believable plot. Watching this film made me believe that a situation as such had occurred on Earth, and therefore the far fetched notion of an extra terrestrial race visiting us becomes so close to a reality through a story that is so realistically depicted.

District 9 is a beautifully crafted film which shows signs of great promise for being around for a while, a subject talked about by many people. Can't wait to watch this again with my friends = )

This truly is an original Sci-fi alien movie. It demon-straits how horrible and inhumane the human race can be to all life.That being said, theres tons of action with good acting, loads of weaponry and even if the ending was sad, it was Amazing! If any Sci-fi geeks are reading this review right now, put down STAR TREK and go see DISTRICT 9 as soon as you can!! A must see 10/10

So this was a highly anticipated film for 2009. All it did for me was disapoint. The whole documentary angle was not what I was expecting. Personally, aliens movies are usually what I go to see. Although I did like how the movie portrayed the aliens in a neither positive nor negative light. Another point for District 9, I think it showed the aspect of humanity regarding ivasion of ones' country by non-residents very well. Kind of reminds you of segregation and seperation of races in the early 20th century. Worth seeing overall.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Fantastic special effects as well as an interesting style of production. I was a bit dubious at first with the documentary style footage but was won over with the humour and action that ensued. Not an original concept, very reminiscent of Alien Nation, however a great effort and well worth the watch.....

I really enjoyed this film and the documentary style beginning only added a more detailed image of the story .The suggestion of human becoming alien was ingenious ,I know that it has been used before but it's the story behind it that makes it unique.Great action ,great actors, extremely impressive storyline.

It might be set somewhere you don’t usually see in the movies - the slums of South Africa. And it might star nobody you’ve heard of - the producer guy who has his name at the top of the poster is its only marquee drawcard. And it might have only cost a fraction of any of this year’s other dumb and derivative blockbusters. But there is still much familiar about District 9, a thrilling smart-thinking spin on the alien invasion movie.One which, after their efforts to adapt the Halo videogame fell foul of studio politics, became the clearly inspired plan B for producer Peter Jackson and debut feature director, Johannesburg-born Neil Blomkamp.It comes with its own hulking hovering spaceship, the likes of which have been seen usually playing synthesizer duets with the locals on American midwest mountaintops or death-raying the White House.

It’s got that now old trick of a faux documentary delivery to start out with, which, after explaining the rudiments of this peculiar close encounter, introduces us to Wikus van der Merwe (played engagingly by Copley, a non-actor mate of Blomkamp’s).He is an anxious gawky middle-management functionary of the MNU corporation, a sort of distant South African cousin to Derek from Jackson’s own alien invasion debut Bad Taste.Along the way, it also comes with scenes that will remind of everything from The Fly, to Aliens, to Alien Nation to Starship Troopers to Enemy Mine.But it’s in the taut storytelling (from a script by Blomkamp and co-writer Terri Tatchell based on the director’s earlier short Alive in JoBurg), the original setting, and the deft recombination of those genre elements which makes District 9 such a wonder.It’s a rare film indeed that can be both a splatter-happy gunfight flick and a socio-political allegory, one about how a post-apartheid South Africa isn’t coping with the influx of refugees from Zimbabwe and Nigeria.

The film begins by explaining the ship has been stuck here for years and its crew only came out after some heavy coaxing.The locals are now fed up with this invasion of the insectoid/crustacean creatures they’ve dubbed “prawns”, who have become refugee-ETs living in the shantytown squalor of the title, having seemingly lost any motivation to wield the hi-tech weaponry they brought with them.MNU has been charged with policing the situation and in face of the prawns’ increasingly anti-social habits (including making a dent in the local catfood supply) the corporation needs to shift them away from the city to an isolated internment camp.With his father in law a MNU honcho, Wikus is tasked with leading the eviction effort. Only, due to a mishap on the job poor Wikus finds himself feeling a little off-colour.Soon, with his life in tatters and his body showing some alarming symptoms, he is a marked man, not just by his MNU bosses who think he may have stumbled on to the prawns’ greatest secret but a band of local Nigerian bandits who - in between spam-scam banking schemes, presumably - have developed their own way of exploiting their fellow migrants .

His only hope lies within District 9 and an uneasy alliance with an alien named “Christopher Johnson” (Cope).Together they face some increasingly berserk shoot-outs between MNU’s heavies with Wikus discovering he has acquired a knack for the alien technology his firm has tried so long to reverse-engineer. And along the way, of course, he also discovers the humanity he seemed to have misplaced while being the unthinking clipboard-carrier for MNU.Some elements of District 9 do feel a little pat.MNU’s top brass, including the father-in-law, are just there to be ruthless and not much else. And the soundtrack isn’t afraid to embrace some African cliches.But they sure distract from the film’s apparent mission. That is, dish up sustained tension and gory black humour with the madcap energy of a first-time director who comes armed with an array of visual effects that make the whole thing look frighteningly convincing.