"District 9"
by: Paolo Sardinas

District 9 is undeniably the most ingenious and smartest movie we've had the entire summer. The movie plays out almost like a Jack in the Box. The toy not the restaurant. You always know what you're going to get, you just never know when or why you're going to get it. But it still makes for a fun time.

Directed by new comer Neil Blomkamp, "D-9" starts like any other summer film would. Quick, fast paced, and very very dizzying, these are all words that can describe the first act of the film. Shot mostly with video cameras, the footage makes for a very real, and intriguing experience.

The main character is Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley), who is assigned the wonderful task of relocating these aliens or "prawns" from their slums to a brand new, squeaky clean slum. Assigned by the MNU, shady corporation whose only interest is the weapons of these creatures. Eventually van der Merwe becoms infected and slowly starts to turn into one of the aliens. He becomes the creature which, like most of the people, he despises and loathes.

What follows is a very "R" rated look at the world and the people who run it.

During the second act the movie begins to slow down and starts to explain things more. And makes District 9 so enthralling and original is this very story. Just remove the aliens and replace them with virtually any other ethnic group and it would be almost 100% true to the present day. And during the second act is where the movie starts to shine, storywise, and goes from Sci-Fi action movie, to political conspiracy thriller. The same things are happening today, with the exclusion of Alien weaponry and DNA, with prescription medication.

The third act and finale of the film is where we go back to the typical summer blockbuster. Shoot outs and CGI. But the film never loses touch of the message its trying to bring.

Even though the movie is very smart and enthralling, it lacks, sadly, in the visual effects department. The special effect almost second rate, which a movie of this magnitude deserves better. But nonetheless, District 9 is the movie which created careers. Sharlto Copley has proven that he has what it takes to be very real and dramatic actor, in a business that is know different than the world of District 9.

Director Neil Blomkamp will be remembered for making the modern day Sci-Fi classic. Although not perfect, D-9 is about as smart and entertaining a movie about aliens can get. And leaves you with a feeling of mystery and uncertainty, because after all there could always be District 10. B+