District 9 review

This is probably one of the best movies that I have ever seen…period.

The advertising for Peter Jackson’s District 9 began about twenty years ago but word of mouth is all that’s going to be needed to push this masterpiece forward at the box office – although I fear that this multilevel piece of genius will fail to make more than that Transformers II embarrassment…such is life.

I wont bother condensing the plot, as you can find that here, but I wanted to highlight why I loved this movie so much.

First of all Peter Jackson has finally shown all movie makers how to use CGI in their films. I don’t even know if I could tell you what was CGI and what was real – ahhh that’s my point! The level of gore and violence is 100% justified and it helps immerse you into the dark and filthy District 9 world.

Having studied The Third Reich for 4 years the obvious references to Jewish concentration camps hit hard, but Peter Jackson has many more historical references;

Native American references –

When Wikus says too the camera before arriving at District 9,“They need to understand that this is our land and they need to give it back.” The fact that the aliens did not understand the term ‘eviction,’ and the frustration Wikus has when Christoper questions the legality of the MNU’s evictions…it was all so brilliant.

Apartheid references –

MNU's eviction and relocation of the aliens is based on District Six. I’m falling in love the more I think about this film.

…and of course the Nazi references –

Concentrating all of the ‘prawns’ into one area while District 9 fast becomes a Ghetto full of disease and death.

One point which bothered me, but this was more a consequence of audience reaction than Peter Jackson, was when the audience roared with approval at Mumbo and his gangs’ demise. Weren’t they trying to harness the power of the alien’s weapons like the government were? What was the difference? I didn’t hear any cheers at white people being blown up. Am I being too sensitive?

Despite that one gripe, please go see District 9 as soon as you can. It is a dark disturbing look into the mirror. It is genius.