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Film is Dead: District 9

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    All Humans, commence discussion!
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      CommentAuthorTindomiel
    • CommentTimeAug 16th 2009
     
    Thoroughly enjoyed it. I understand this is Blomkamp's first feature-length film--holy shit is that impressive. With sci-fi that deals with aliens there's always the chance that my inner biology nag will start nitpicking, but in the end this is such a character-driven drama and I found that so engrossing that I maintained my suspension of disbelief. That's a rare thing.

    You will probably come out of this movie hating humanity, though. So much of the plot and the imagery references things that have happened in the last century, not just apartheid...
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    I really want to see what else Blomkamp has in mind, even if it isn't in the D9 Universe (In fact, I hope he doesn't return here for a while, since I feel he straddled the line between mystery and knowledge pretty well in his first attempt). There were a number of times where I was either A)at the point of tears, B) at the point of nausea, or C)Both.
    Spoilers (highlight to read)
    Especially through the Bio-lab sections, particularly when they shove a prawn in the firing range.


    In Short, I think choosing Africa (One of our "birthplaces" as a species) really amplified the ideas I feel Blomkamp wanted to convey: The universality of the tale, particularly our hateful/discriminant nature, and the effects of betrayal, bigotry, and false hope within society.
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      CommentAuthorTindomiel
    • CommentTimeAug 17th 2009
     
    Oh man, that scene. Yeah. Definite WWII vibes from that.

    For anyone who's already seen the movie, you can see the short that inspired D9, "Alive in Joburg" (and the rest of Blomkamp's portfolio) at http://www.spyfilms.com/#neill_blomkamp/alive_in_joburg
    • CommentAuthorhobbesie
    • CommentTimeSep 1st 2009
     
    Just saw D9 on Sunday when it got to the cheap theaters. I really enjoyed it, even though I kind of felt like I knew where the movie was going for the most part. District 9 had a very fresh feel to it, and so I didn't really care about any small imperfections that were present. The social commentary was fantastic, and the storytelling was quite good as well.

    One thing that stuck out in my mind, just on the "holy shit that rocks" level was the sheer violence of alien weaponry. I could not believe how it turned people into exploding blood bags.
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    Posted By: hobbesieJust saw D9 on Sunday when it got to the cheap theaters. I really enjoyed it, even though I kind of felt like I knew where the movie was going for the most part. District 9 had a very fresh feel to it, and so I didn't really care about any small imperfections that were present. The social commentary was fantastic, and the storytelling was quite good as well.

    One thing that stuck out in my mind, just on the "holy shit that rocks" level was the sheer violence of alien weaponry. I could not believe how it turned people into exploding blood bags.


    I think that was really well done; from the angle that humanity really has no idea what it's trying to wield, or any of the ramifications (we need a profit, after all).

    what else stuck out for you?
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      CommentAuthorJohn Darc
    • CommentTimeSep 2nd 2009
     
    I actually liked the latter half/third of the movie better, while some critics seem to think that's when the movie became more of a sci fi explody fest. I guess I know what I like, then.

    I went in not really knowing what to expect, and when it was done, I wasn't super blown away but I enjoyed it. It was a man on the run story, which I wasn't totally expecting. A bit heavier than I may have wanted for a light evening film.
    • CommentAuthorhobbesie
    • CommentTimeSep 2nd 2009
     
    Posted By: Locke Cole117
    Posted By: hobbesieJust saw D9 on Sunday when it got to the cheap theaters. I really enjoyed it, even though I kind of felt like I knew where the movie was going for the most part. District 9 had a very fresh feel to it, and so I didn't really care about any small imperfections that were present. The social commentary was fantastic, and the storytelling was quite good as well.

    One thing that stuck out in my mind, just on the "holy shit that rocks" level was the sheer violence of alien weaponry. I could not believe how it turned people into exploding blood bags.


    I think that was really well done; from the angle that humanity really has no idea what it's trying to wield, or any of the ramifications (we need a profit, after all).

    what else stuck out for you?


    Spoilers (highlight to read)
    I liked the subplot of the crimelord's occult quest to gain mastery over the alien weaponry...the juxtaposition of the African superstition was very interesting to me. Also, the quick look back to the main character's interview at the very interview stuck with me. The stark contrast of his nervous, clumsy, and prejudiced self to man-turned-alien was quite well done.

    Sorry about the tons of spoiler-text...I'm not sure what the rules on spoilers are in the forums be in yonder parts.
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      CommentAuthorKazuo
    • CommentTimeSep 8th 2009
     
    Was anyone else distracted by how much Wikus resembles Murray from Flight of the Chonchords? That, and lines like "START THE BINARY SEQUENCE!!" aside, I really loved this film.
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    I have yet to check up on this, but apparently people are not enjoying the film because it turned into a political allegory when that wasn't its intention, but I call BS from all that I know.

    EDIT: To hobbesie:

    Spoilers (highlight to read)
    I was thoroughly creeped out/enthralled by the occult/witchcraft subplot, which is exactly why I love supernatural horror
    I didn't even remember that Blomkamp did that, that's really awesome on his part.

    Does anyone else really want a sequel? I'm perfectly fine leaving the story open, so that it retains its power as a social commentary (and doesn't run the risk of sequelitis), since we know how we have made our mistakes as a species, but that guilt isn't diluted with a "war". Maybe it's just me, but I like how versatile the ending to the film is.

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      CommentAuthorTindomiel
    • CommentTimeSep 9th 2009
     
    There's probably a couple of entities you could see this as a sort of commentary on (South Africa's apartheid, the United Nations, the US) but it never obviously settles on one in particular. Eye of the beholder...
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    Very true, who did you feel was the target of the message?
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      CommentAuthorTindomiel
    • CommentTimeSep 10th 2009
     
    Everybody, maybe? Seeing so many historical events referenced in one movie drives home the point that humans are capable of horrible things once someone places the label of "Other" on a group. That's pretty much universal, and derives from our survival instincts. And framing it in terms of us as a species dealing with literal aliens bearing superior technology brings that question of survival to the fore. I feel like one of the issues Blomkamp was exploring in the film was when and how we cross a moral line in the pursuit of self-preservation. At what point does our too-human fear degrade into what we like to think of as 'inhuman' callousness?
    • CommentAuthorKristi
    • CommentTimeSep 10th 2009
     
    I just saw it on Monday, and I pretty much agree with everything everyone has said. I really think the commentary was focused on humanity as a whole, and not necessarily one group. Maybe I don't have much faith in people, but I think that given that situation, that is exactly what would happen. Give or take some individual stories, of course, but the basic stuff, yeah.

    Also, I did want to point out that the actor playing Wikus was fantastic, and I hope he gets tons of work because of this.
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    His name is Sharlto Copley, and looking at other photos of him, he has the ability to change his appearance simply through his mannerisms. The image of Wikus which stuck in my mind was that of a small, peevish sort of man who is very naive about his situation. When you look at other photos, he's just a normal dude who can carry himself very well. I agree, he needs more work, and hopefully it will play to his talents.
    • CommentAuthorhobbesie
    • CommentTimeSep 10th 2009
     
    Posted By: Locke Cole117Very true, who did you feel was the target of the message?


    I got the feeling that part of the reason that District 9 was set in Johannesburg was to show that hatred and evil could occur anywhere that humanity was allowed to run amok, even in a place so acutely affected by Apartheid.

    Do I want a sequel? I'm not convinced that I do. Based upon the way that District 9 ended, I don't know how a compelling a story could be told that would last for 90 minutes. That being said, if the green-light is given...I hope those involved think long and hard about what they want to put forward.

    Last, I agree: loved Sharlto Copley. Great job on his part.
    • CommentAuthorDuder
    • CommentTimeSep 11th 2009
     
    District 10: Orbital Bombardment

    I don't understand people getting upset over the social/racial/political commentary in this movie other than it hitting a little too close to home, to me it was never overt or heavy-handed it was just there as a backdrop to tell this really great scifi story.

    I also agree that Copley did an amazing job with such a demanding role and especially when you consider he was acting opposite CG most of the movie.
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    Posted By: DuderDistrict 10: Orbital Bombardment

    I don't understand people getting upset over the social/racial/political commentary in this movie other than it hitting a little too close to home, to me it was never overt or heavy-handed it was just there as a backdrop to tell this really great scifi story.


    Yeah, I think you hit the nail on the head Duder, I really felt ashamed of our actions as a species during most of the movie.
    • CommentAuthorKristi
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2009
     
    Posted By: DuderI also agree that Copley did an amazing job with such a demanding role and especially when you consider he was acting opposite CG most of the movie.


    Did anyone catch that he may be in the A-Team movie/remake?
    • CommentAuthorTankobite
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2009
     
    Now I loved this movie! I just want to get that out there, because while I think it really is great, there were some problems I had with it (very few) but one that kind of bothered me: I never really felt any empathy for any of the prawns besides Chris Johnson and his son. Now I'm not saying I liked it when the Spec Ops were killing them indiscriminately, but most of them seemed like filthy, thieving, druggies. Maybe it's just me, but most of the prawn (especially up until the point where you actually met Chris Johnson) were pretty disgusting.
    • CommentAuthorDuder
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2009
     
    Posted By: Kristi
    Posted By: DuderI also agree that Copley did an amazing job with such a demanding role and especially when you consider he was acting opposite CG most of the movie.


    Did anyone catch that he may be in theA-Team movie/remake?


    No I hadn't seen that! Looks like a great cast.
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    Posted By: TankobiteNow I loved this movie! I just want to get that out there, because while I think it really is great, there were some problems I had with it (very few) but one that kind of bothered me: I never really felt any empathy for any of the prawns besides Chris Johnson and his son. Now I'm not saying I liked it when the Spec Ops were killing them indiscriminately, but most of them seemed like filthy, thieving, druggies. Maybe it's just me, but most of the prawn (especially up until the point where you actually met Chris Johnson) were pretty disgusting.


    Spoilers (highlight to read)
    Thinking that through, it could be the effect that documentaries have on perspective. Since the "movie" started out as almost a piece of propaganda for MNU, showing how great they were; I as the director would definitely want to show the populace how the prawns "need our help in order to survive". And I think Blomkamp said that the species acted in a hive mind, so without a queen, they probably can't think straight.
    • CommentAuthorTankobite
    • CommentTimeOct 8th 2009
     
    Posted By: Locke Cole117
    Posted By: TankobiteNow I loved this movie! I just want to get that out there, because while I think it really is great, there were some problems I had with it (very few) but one that kind of bothered me: I never really felt any empathy for any of the prawns besides Chris Johnson and his son. Now I'm not saying I liked it when the Spec Ops were killing them indiscriminately, but most of them seemed like filthy, thieving, druggies. Maybe it's just me, but most of the prawn (especially up until the point where you actually met Chris Johnson) were pretty disgusting.


    Spoilers (highlight to read)
    Thinking that through, it could be the effect that documentaries have on perspective. Since the "movie" started out as almost a piece of propaganda for MNU, showing how great they were; I as the director would definitely want to show the populace how the prawns "need our help in order to survive". And I think Blomkamp said that the species acted in a hive mind, so without a queen, they probably can't think straight.



    Spoilers (highlight to read)
    Perhaps, but then why was Chris Johnson able to think of a way out? I do like the idea about being disgusting because of the perspective; that makes a lot of sense./span>
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    Posted By: Tankobite
    Posted By: Locke Cole117
    Posted By: TankobiteNow I loved this movie! I just want to get that out there, because while I think it really is great, there were some problems I had with it (very few) but one that kind of bothered me: I never really felt any empathy for any of the prawns besides Chris Johnson and his son. Now I'm not saying I liked it when the Spec Ops were killing them indiscriminately, but most of them seemed like filthy, thieving, druggies. Maybe it's just me, but most of the prawn (especially up until the point where you actually met Chris Johnson) were pretty disgusting.


    Spoilers (highlight to read)
    Thinking that through, it could be the effect that documentaries have on perspective. Since the "movie" started out as almost a piece of propaganda for MNU, showing how great they were; I as the director would definitely want to show the populace how the prawns "need our help in order to survive". And I think Blomkamp said that the species acted in a hive mind, so without a queen, they probably can't think straight.



    Spoilers (highlight to read)
    Perhaps, but then why was Chris Johnson able to think of a way out? I do like the idea about being disgusting because of the perspective; that makes a lot of sense./span>


    Spoilers (highlight to read)
    It's implied that Chris was sealed in the emergency vehicle, which would have protected him from the disease and filth they suffered through.Since he didn't have to live with that decadence, he didn't have to "relearn" everything like the others.
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      CommentAuthorTindomiel
    • CommentTimeOct 12th 2009
     
    Spoilers (highlight to read)
    I interpreted it as that Christopher was simply one of the bright ones, and that there's a wide range of intelligence in prawns, same as with humans. He might have been the only engineer who survived that long in the camps. The less intelligent (or even less mentally resilient) prawns gave up hope of ever getting off the planet and resigned themselves to their shitty life. I took the comment about the 'hive mind' as being suspect since it was from the human/MNU point of view, part of that whole 'they all look/act the same' stereotyping that allowed humans to treat them badly.
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    Spoilers (highlight to read)
    To be honest, the geek in me hadn't even considered that possibility. I simply saw insectoid creatures and automatically associated them with a hive mind. That's awesome, thank you!

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