District 9: The Official Thread Of Parktown Prawns

[Miktar]

About to head off to go see this (it's a two hour walk to the cinema, but totally worth it).

Does this start in SA today as well?

[Azraphael]

It's being released here on the 28th if I'm not mistaken. I'm dead keen on seeing this.

[Incognito]

Ah dammit! This movie is only showing on the 28th? I too want to go watch it pretty badly.

[Cleric]

I've heard great things from friends in the states. Can't wait.

[FTB_Screamer]

IGN, gave it 5/5 starts, and I think the reader comments are averaging at about 9/10 on imdb. Cant wait to go see it.

[Miktar]

It was fan-tastic. I'm not going to say anything, since anything said is a spoiler, but I will say this:

grav-gun pig-shot

That is all.

http://clip2net.com/clip/m6496/1250311061-clip-42kb.jpg

[Boggle24]

I've been reading a -lot- about this film from all over the place, it's got a kickass rotten tomatoes rating, which means absolutely nothing to me, but apparently people are really loving this film, even calling it one of the best sci-fi flicks ever made.

I also thought we would be getting this film by the weekend, but apparently we've got to wait until the end of August (BOOOOOO).

[Graal]

It was fan-tastic. I'm not going to say anything, since anything said is a spoiler, but I will say this:

grav-gun pig-shot

That is all.



Damn you, Miktar! Damn you!
Now I'll have to spend another few sleepless nights while anticipating this movie.

[xcal]

Well I'm super psyched it's shaping up to be a good film!

Had my hopes set high! Can't wait to see it!

Yay D-9!

[CrashHelmut]

Peter Jackson's alien adventure District 9 has beamed to the top of the U.S. box office, taking $37 million (?24.6 million) in its first weekend on release.
I find it laughable that there is so little promotion for the film in SA. I guess only Leon Schuster movies gets that treatment. At least the local media is starting to catch on.

[onona]

Peter Jackson's alien adventure District 9

This is exactly what I knew would happen; Jackson's name is the one being associated with the film, instead of the director. I am sure the film is good, but I think it's sad that it's really mainly getting media attention because of his name on it the credit list. This is Blomkamp's work. Still, I'm glad to see it doing well, even if for slightly ignorant reasons, because this hopefully means we'll get a Halo film!

[Kharrak]

This is exactly what I knew would happen; Jackson's name is the one being associated with the film, instead of the director. I am sure the film is good, but I think it's sad that it's really mainly getting media attention because of his name on it the credit list. This is Blomkamp's work. Still, I'm glad to see it doing well, even if for slightly ignorant reasons, because this hopefully means we'll get a Halo film!

While it's true that often the film is made out to be a Peter Jackson production, I was surprised to see how many (the vast majority, in fact) of the critic reviews and user reviews still mention and congratulate Blomkamp as a "visionary director", so he's not falling into the background completely.

[Azraphael]

What is really ****ing me off is the fact that, until this weekend, the SA media had pretty much ignored this movie. Then it does well on opening weekend in the States and all of a sudden it is everywhere. Overseas the marketing has been in place for quite a while now apparently.

[Kharrak]

What is really ****ing me off is the fact that, until this weekend, the SA media had pretty much ignored this movie. Then it does well on opening weekend in the States and all of a sudden it is everywhere. Overseas the marketing has been in place for quite a while now apparently.

You'd be surprised how reluctant this country is to promote something that doesn't depict it in a romantic politically correct way.

[CrashHelmut]

This is exactly what I knew would happen; Jackson's name is the one being associated with the film, instead of the director.
Actually, I'm partially to blame here, I only quoted the first paragraph. The next paragraph mentioned Blomkamp.


While it's true that often the film is made out to be a Peter Jackson production, I was surprised to see how many (the vast majority, in fact) of the critic reviews and user reviews still mention and congratulate Blomkamp as a "visionary director", so he's not falling into the background completely.
Actually, the film sites that I frequent often (Ain't It Cool News (http://www.aintitcool.com/) and The A.V. Club (http://www.avclub.com/)) have been featuring a lot of coverage on Blomkamp as well as the leading actor Sharlto Copley, who apparently did a pretty good job in the film.

[pArkEr]

I believe they made quite a show of it at ComicCon, which contributed to it's good opening weekend. I love viral marketing.

[Miktar]

This is exactly what I knew would happen; Jackson's name is the one being associated with the film, instead of the director. I am sure the film is good, but I think it's sad that it's really mainly getting media attention because of his name on it the credit list. This is Blomkamp's work. Still, I'm glad to see it doing well, even if for slightly ignorant reasons, because this hopefully means we'll get a Halo film!

Bloemkamp and Jackson have already said they will not do a Halo film, even if it was offered to them again.

[Graal]

This is exactly what I knew would happen; Jackson's name is the one being associated with the film, instead of the director. I am sure the film is good, but I think it's sad that it's really mainly getting media attention because of his name on it the credit list. This is Blomkamp's work. Still, I'm glad to see it doing well, even if for slightly ignorant reasons, because this hopefully means we'll get a Halo film!

That is entirely true. I randomly told my friends today that we're going to watch District 9 as soon as it gets released and the first response I got was: "Oh, that Peter Jackson movie?"
Really sucks that stuff like this happens. The critics might applaud Blomkamp, but most of the general public have no idea who he is or even that he directed this movie.

[onona]

Bloemkamp and Jackson have already said they will not do a Halo film, even if it was offered to them again.

That must be a very recent development then, because word behind the scenes, right up until recently, was that this film was out to prove Blomkamp's directing prowess to the naysayers.

I'm sad to hear it, but I believe Blomkamp has a bright career ahead of him, as he's always been making great films.

[Spindleshanks]

Anybody know of any other local Niel Blomkamp productions?

[Miktar]

This was his first movie. Before that, he did a lot of shorts, you can find them on YouTube. Look for 'Alive in Joburg', or just search for his name.

[Miktar]

That must be a very recent development then, because word behind the scenes, right up until recently, was that this film was out to prove Blomkamp's directing prowess to the naysayers.

I'm sad to hear it, but I believe Blomkamp has a bright career ahead of him, as he's always been making great films.

Came out at ComicCon. They both said they were burned by the experience, having spent upwards of 9 months working on Halo, only to be shut down.

The next day, Jackson and Bloemkamp said, 'Hey, let's just do our own thing' , and within a day, District 9 was planned and born.

[Incognito]

Came out at ComicCon. They both said they were burned by the experience, having spent upwards of 9 months working on Halo, only to be shut down.

The next day, Jackson and Bloemkamp said, 'Hey, let's just do our own thing' , and within a day, District 9 was planned and born.

They were interviewing him this morning on Highveld Stereo and he mentioned the whole Halo thing. He said he was very upset because no-one had enough faith in him that he was capable of releasing a good film.

It seems like all yanks (except Jackson) still thinks we're a bunch of cave people living with lions. :P

[Die Jason]

It seems like all yanks (except Jackson) still thinks we're a bunch of cave people living with lions. :P

Peter Jackson is from New Zealand :)

[Incognito]

Peter Jackson is from New Zealand :)

Well slap me sideways! I always thought he was from the states. I stand corrected.

[xcal]

The next day, Jackson and Bloemkamp said, 'Hey, let's just do our own thing' , and within a day, District 9 was planned and born.

Well well well! That excites me. Does this mean the pair might work on something else together in the future? I know it's a possibility, but is it probable?

Can't wait for it to open, heard a lot of rant about the premiere last night. Pity we only get it next week. Still psyched!

[pArkEr]

I've heard some people saying that it's the best science fiction movie of all time. Is it seriously that good? The political undertones aren't exactly sci-fi so I wouldn't classify it in that current.

[Cleric]

Um... parker...Half of sci-fi is about political undertones. It's either that or undertones of human nature. Without those things, sci-fi is just spaceship shooting things for fun.

Where the hell have you been?

[Miktar]

District 9 is in no way an allegory for Apartheid. It has zero political undertones other than the necessary structure required for the plot.

[Octavianus]

DON'T POINT YOUR FOKKIN TENTACLES AT ME!

That is all.

[Graal]

DON'T POINT YOUR FOKKIN TENTACLES AT ME!

That is all.

:/
Stop. Torturing. Me.

I can't believe I'm this excited about this movie. I really can't wait any longer!

[pArkEr]

I know that Cleric. The original The Day The Earth Stood Still was virtually an advertisement for the nuclear proliferation treaty.
Miktar answered my question anyway. But I ask again, is it really that good that people are saying it's the best sci-fi ever? Or at least in the last decade, not that there's much competition?

[Miktar]

It's one of the best sci-fi films of the last decade.

It's bold, original, vibrant and intelligent.

I wouldn't call anything the "best ever" of anything, there are no absolutes.

But I would put District 9 in my Top 10 science-fiction films list.

No movie is awesome for everyone, so I'm not going to say everyone will like it. But if you like sci-fi, I'd be very surprised if you didn't like District 9.

[Cleric]

District 9 is in no way an allegory for Apartheid. It has zero political undertones other than the necessary structure required for the plot.

BS. Supression of a race and segregation into a set area? Please, give me a break.

[pArkEr]

Well Miktar's seen the movie Cleric. We're making judgments based on the short tid-bits of information we have of the movie.

[Cleric]

I have several friends who've seen it as well. They say that if you want to view it on a high level, then it's a great sci-fi that way.

But for those looking deeper, the parallels are there.

It's the ability of the director to blend the two without one infringing on the other that makes it great. (think Blade Runner, but not Matrix 2 and 3, which got the balance mostly wrong).

[Kharrak]

Oh god...

Is District 9 Racist? (http://io9.com/5340409/is-district-9-racist)

[onona]

Oh god...

Is District 9 Racist? (http://io9.com/5340409/is-district-9-racist)

Lol.

[phreak]

Who wants to bet the ANCYL will protest this without even seeing it? lol
.....free publicity! No such thing as bad publicity. I'm the words of Eric Bishoff: " Controversy creates cash"

Already seeing people selling it on the streetcorners. R40.00. lol, some guy who tried selling it to me showed me the cover and it had a aliens xenomorph on it.

[Gambit]

This is a must watch at the cinemas for me! Can't believe I had not heard of this before... :| slap on the wrist for myself.

[Miktar]

BS. Supression of a race and segregation into a set area? Please, give me a break.

Bull****, Cleric.

Yes, you can MAKE it about Apartheid, but the movie ISN'T about the HISTORICAL Apartheid in South Africa. And I get very, very ****ed off when people try to see it as that, because they're bringing their own baggage to the experience.

I've seen the movie twice now, and it is NOT a parallel, or an allegory, for Apartheid in South Africa.

The movie is set in a post-Apartheid South Africa, it uses that as the stage, nothing more.

I can't stand it when people twist a movie to mean what they want it to mean, instead of taking it on it's own terms. That's why we're getting this bull**** now where people are upset at the movie for NOT being an allegory or parabel for Apartheid.

So seriously, cut it out.

[onona]

Yes, you can MAKE it about Apartheid, but the movie ISN'T about the HISTORICAL Apartheid in South Africa. And I get very, very ****ed off when people try to see it as that, because they're bringing their own baggage to the experience.

I've seen the movie twice now, and it is NOT a parallel, or an allegory, for Apartheid in South Africa.

I think the reason people keep drawing the parallel is mostly due to the name, which (obviously) reminds people of District 6. As such, people assume that the entire film has some echo to it too, so you can't really be surprised that this is happening.

Knowing Blomkamp (I've met him and have seen some of his short films that have never been made public), it wouldn't surprise me if there is some depth to the film, and some form of social commentary, as he's never shied away from social and cultural commentary in the past.

I haven't seen District 9, but from what I gather of the plot, it's possible that there is some social commentary element to it, but nothing like Apartheid. I think it's simply a convenient topic for South Africans to latch onto purely out of familiarity and the aforementioned name reference. Remember that humans don't generally look much deeper than the surface; they'll see something - ooooh! Aliens being segregated! And then exploited! - and instead of considering that in a broader context, they think OMG APARTHEID. When, in fact, if you compare the events of apartheid history to what's going on in the film, the similarity is tenuous at best. As you said earlier, the film's plot has zero political undertones. Really, zero.

[Miktar]

Oh, it has social commentary allright, but it certainly has nothing to do with something so passe as segregation. I also give Bloemkamp more credit than that.

I see what you're saying thought - it's South Africa, it has a shantytown with entities being kept away from the general population: it's so easy to recontextualize that as nothing BUT a commentary on Apartheid, but that would really be the tail wagging the dog.

Knowing what I now know about the plot not explicitly shown in the movie (like why was the mothership at Earth, where are the ruling class of the drones, why does the <spoiler> turn <spoiler> into <spoiler>, and so on, it only confirms that the social commentary, if any, is a far broader context than just what the human monkeybrains like to "anthropically principle" themselves to the center of it's universe for.

[Miktar]

Oh god...

Is District 9 Racist? (http://io9.com/5340409/is-district-9-racist)

I saw a good quote about "racism" and all the forms the claim is arriving in:

"Real life is not divided into neat categories such as "dignified and intellectual" and "brainless and loud". It's only America that is divided into these polemic extremes. Most of the world is a very messy place. District 9 gets this right."

[Cleric]

Movies are art Mik. A fundamental property of art is being open to interpretation, for the viewer to find their own meaning in it.

I'm not saying it's an intentional parallel, but they are there, and you're stupid if you don't see them.

EDIT: I just read the rest of your posts. Will see the film before I comment more. All I'm saying is that denying that there is a link there really seems blind.

[onona]

Movies are art Mik. A fundamental property of art is being open to interpretation, for the viewer to find their own meaning in it. .

I don't personally agree with that. If that were true, then you could watch, say, GI Joe, then take a couple of elements from the film like the villain and the good guys, and say that the film is an allegory of the war in the Middle East, because it has some good guys, some bad guys, and some fighting.

But it really isn't.

Yes, art is about interpretation. But the context is an essential part of that interpretation, or else anything could be interpreted to be anything. That would be totally chaotic, and ultimately render any piece of art utterly meaningless. Because surely, if any interpretation is possible, then the artwork has no inherent meaning at all.

Of course, some art is ambiguous. But even ambiguity is generally set within a context, thereby limiting the options to only a few possible interpretations.

In the case of District 9, the very fact that the first part of the film takes place in the 80's means it's set against the backdrop of the apartheid era. So saying that the film itself is allegorical of apartheid is a little absurd. That would be like saying that Saving Private Ryan was an allegory of World War II. It's just too obvious.



I'm not saying it's an intentional parallel, but they are there, and you're stupid if you don't see them.

But if a parallel isn't intentional, then it's not really worth considering. This would be akin to suggesting that any film containing the colour red is an (unintentional) parallel to communism. It's really meaningless.

[Incognito]

Oh god...

Is District 9 Racist? (http://io9.com/5340409/is-district-9-racist)

... It's RE5 all over again...

[MarryO+LewyG]

Sorry if already posted somewhere.

The promo site is awesome, very starship trooper do you want to know more with the Training and other links. Main map link is super lame though. There is tons of funny content


http://www.district9movie.com/

http://multinationalunited.com/

http://www.mnuspreadslies.com/

http://www.mathsfromouterspace.com/

http://www.district9game.com/

http://www.d-9.com/

[Cleric]

Fair and good points all.
Small thing: When you speak of context, surely location forms part of that context, and thus the fact that a large part occurs in a shanty town of distric 9 does not make a person drawing the parallels unreasonalbe.

And surely you can gain more from art than was intended by the artist. I found moments of personal enlightenment within Braid, The Matrix, Fightclub, GTA 4 and Baldur's Gate. Does that make me stupid for finding personal meaning in something that was not intended by the creator?

[onona]

Fair and good points all.
Small thing: When you speak of context, surely location forms part of that context, and thus the fact that a large part occurs in a shanty town of distric 9 does not make a person drawing the parallels unreasonalbe.

Re-read the paragraph in my post about Saving Private Ryan.


And surely you can gain more from art than was intended by the artist. I found moments of personal enlightenment within Braid, The Matrix, Fightclub, GTA 4 and Baldur's Gate. Does that make me stupid for finding personal meaning in something that was not intended by the creator?

Where did I say anything about stupidity? I think the only person so far in this thread using the word stupid is you.

Finding personal meaning is a totally different thing to interpreting art, especially allegorical art. The key difference there is the word personal. As humans, it's very easy for us to project our own ideas onto artwork. There's nothing wrong with that, generally. Lord of the Rings, for example, is very famous for being widely interpreted as an allegory of the World Wars, despite Tolkien expressly denying this. Parallels exist everywhere. But people should recognise the distinction between intended allegory, and personal projection/derived meaning.

[brazed]

Quite frankly, I see a lot more subtext alluding to xenophobia than apartheid. Which is strangely appropriate when you consider the past years' events in SA.

[onona]

Xenophobia is, sadly, a global phenomenon.

[Miktar]

All I'm saying is that denying that there is a link there really seems blind.

People can read meaning into anything, even where there isn't any. That's blind.


Finding personal meaning is a totally different thing to interpreting art, especially allegorical art. The key difference there is the word personal. As humans, it's very easy for us to project our own ideas onto artwork. There's nothing wrong with that, generally. Lord of the Rings, for example, is very famous for being widely interpreted as an allegory of the World Wars, despite Tolkien expressly denying this. Parallels exist everywhere. But people should recognise the distinction between intended allegory, and personal projection/derived meaning.

This.

[MarryO+LewyG]

It really isn’t a historical allegory to apartheid. It just uses the events of the past (I.e. the district 6 evacuations) as a plot device to open the main themes of xenophobia and “who’s the monster now”.



Oh, it has social commentary allright, but it certainly has nothing to do with something so passe as segregation. I also give Bloemkamp more credit than that.


I don’t know what film you watched but a major slab of the commentary is on segregation. While I would agree it isn’t the sole focus of the film by a long shot.

At the end of the day it’s no philosophy he’s trying to impart so much as just giving you an awesome popcorn ride with some local fresh alien action. I personally think people are reading waay to much into this one.

From the horses mouth (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/neill-blomkamps-giant-apartheid-metaphor/article1250883/)

[Miktar]

Segregation was a colour on the pallet that Bloemkamp painted with, but it was NOT /about/ segregation.

If people want to twist the movie into being major commentary on segregation, they can do that if they want. People see what they want to see.

And straight from the horse's mouth:


In District 9 , aliens land in Johannesburg and are forced to live in a filthy shanty town, segregated from human society. Can we get the giant apartheid metaphor out of the way first?

Bloemkamp: It isn't necessarily just a metaphor for apartheid. It's not. … What it is meant to be is a whole bunch of topics that had an effect on me when I was living there. Topics I became more interested in once I left.

He talks about how there are a lot of topics he wanted to touch on, like segregation. Yes, he touched on it.

Is it the focal point of the movie, or the main commentary? No.

You know what the movie is about? Wickus and the protagonist, Christopher, and the emotions of the two as they travel a road together.

Watch it and tell me I'm wrong.

With South Africa, people keep assuming it's all about the location, and ignore the people. District 9 is a character-centric movie, not a setting-centric movie. It's funny, people are being prejudiced in a certain way: like seeing a black person and thinking only of fried chicken. People see District 9, see South Africa, and get confused about why it isn't making a statement about Apartheid. It's a weird kind of cultural elitism.

[MarryO+LewyG]

Segregation was a colour on the pallet that Bloemkamp painted with, but it was NOT SOLELY /about/ segregation.


I 100% agree, you just put it in such a way as if he never intended segregation to be focussed on at any point.

So to get mad at people who draw the parallel between apartheid and this film is silly.
You should have said you can get mad at people who just draw that parallel and forgo the further themes.

[onona]

He talks about how there are a lot of topics he wanted to touch on, like segregation. Yes, he touched on it.

Is it the focal point of the movie, or the main commentary? No.

You know what the movie is about? Wickus and the protagonist, Christopher, and the emotions of the two as they travel a road together.

Watch it and tell me I'm wrong.

http://www.iloveraptorjesus.com/temp/applause.gif

(I've been wanting to use that gif all day)

[Miktar]

I 100% agree, you just put it in such a way as if he never intended segregation to be focussed on at any point.

So to get mad at people who draw the parallel between apartheid and this film is silly.
You should have said you can get mad at people who just draw that parallel and forgo the further themes.


Oh, it's really not that big of a deal for me WHAT people think of District 9 - the majority of America adores the movie, it's only a few vocal idiots that are crying foul at having their Ethics Credits be revoked because the movie wasn't what they wanted it to be. I'm just highlighting it for the sake of argument, not like I'm losing sleep over these morons. :P

That, and Cleric arguing with me what the movie is about, without having even seen it. That was just silly. :P

District 9, as I said before, is in my Top 10 sci-fi list - and nothing anyone says can change that.

To me, Bloemkamp touches on the segregation aspect, sure, but he also touches on human/alien sex and tabloids too, and I found he touched on both in the same way - as elements of a greater context, not as focal points for the audience to ponder over.

District 9 is a human (alien) story, and I'm actually dumbstruck at how, in spite of the grandiose yet gritty setting and almost hollywood-style bombastic overarch, the characters managed to remain real and relate-able. Usually when you have humans and aliens, scriptwriters tend to fall back on accepted tropes.

Damnit, I wish it was out in ZA already, so I could discuss it without spoiling it for anyone. :/

[MarryO+LewyG]

The fact that the film is Based in South Africa makes it 1000000x more relatable and subtly humorous to a local audience.

That the aliens are referred to as "prawns" is such a slight and amazing way to draw up connotations in a South African audience.

Being South African really gets you a chance to enjoy every reference for once.

The only personal fault I had with the film was that the protagonist can like to speak English at times.

[Miktar]

Yeah. In a way, I wish it was /more/ South African (it's actually quite reserved in representing ZA memes and social tropes, probably because Bloemkamp hasn't been in ZA for a decade or so, or because he didn't want to totally freak out American audiences, under advice from Jackson, who knows).

[MarryO+LewyG]

Not to sound too much like captain obvious, but the fact that most Americans express how (aside from the unique play on the typical alien invasion scenario) “fresh” this film is, really shows how the whole world needed a big budget alien film where aliens didn’t rock up in the first world or newyork.

[Miktar]

Totally. I'm hoping this is the herald of more good things to come.

[Gambit]

Quite frankly, I see a lot more subtext alluding to xenophobia than apartheid. Which is strangely appropriate when you consider the past years' events in SA.

Such a wise dragon you are.

[Boggle24]

I'm just glad he proved that you can make a great film with the budget he was given, I will laugh my socks off if this movie ends up being more widely appreciated than the $200 million plus movies that came and are coming out this year.

I hate having to wait until the end of the month, we should have bloody well got it first dammit.
:/

[Garson007]

I must confess, I've been raping Google for info on this film since May; I'm really excited.

I find it laughable how many people assume it has to do with Apartheid and then directly correlate aliens with blacks "OMG Blacks are ugly and stuff - RACISM". That's like saying a film set in San Fransisco, staring two men, is going to involve gay sex.

[Cleric]

Mik and onona: I was totally confusing personal interpretation with intended subject.

And yes, I am a retard for even thinking of arguing the meaning of a film I havnt seen.

This is exactly why I shouldn't post when gsccing a rough day at work. Apologies to all. Look forward to discussing further when I've actually SEEN the film.

[KalMaverick]

Man people like to see meaning in anything, how about that one tower in america (I don't know the name but its got the 4 sides long with a pointy tip like a pyramid) they say if you do this and that you get to the number 666 (which is also evil somehow :/ )

If you go looking for meaning in anything you will find it even if you have to suck it out your ass first.

Although if we want to be very literal now we can say apartheid means separateness right?

This movie is about aliens that are seperate right?

There its about apartheid (There's rock logic for you.)



A side note: Sh!t people it's a movie how about having some fun instead of analysing it like a freakin Shakespeare poem. I can't wait to watch it friday and will have fun seeing the movie instead of attending a mass analysis of Distric 9 undertones

[Cleric]

If you choose not to analyse films as art, that's fine for you dude. But there's a lot to be gained from looking deeper.

[onona]

Man people like to see meaning in anything, how about that one tower in america (I don't know the name but its got the 4 sides long with a pointy tip like a pyramid) they say if you do this and that you get to the number 666 (which is also evil somehow :/ )

wut.

[KalMaverick]

@onona
I don't know what the tower is called but the point is that saying its evil cause you do some far out mathematical calculation and get to 666 is stupid. (It looks like a obelisk)

It's like doing some crazy calculation on your name and ending up with the word satan thus you evil? How stupid is that? The point is if you look for something you WILL find it.

Its the same with this movie, if you go looking for apartheid in it you will find it even if you must use the most vague parallels possible.

EDIT: Washinton monument sorry thats what I was talking about.


@cleric
"If you choose not to analyse films as art, that's fine for you dude. But there's a lot to be gained from looking deeper."

I'm not talking about analysing it as art I'm talking about trying to pass it off as racist or about apartheid... What's to gain in that may I ask?

[Cleric]

The way that a film may (or may not) explore complex subject-matters through using a changed environment/situation?

[KalMaverick]

But don't we already know that?

What's the point in trying to draw parallels between Distric 9 and apartheid?

I don't see what's to gain from it, I mean what's the point in going to see the movie and instead of watching it for fun you watch it to try compare every single thing you can.
Ok it is quite possible to do both at once

Art is there for enjoyment right, yet we still analyse it in every way possible to me it feels like it takes away from the enjoyment of the art and instead just makes you a critic.

Distric 9 is quite something for us South Africans isnt it? Why try to make it less by comparing it to something like apartheid.

@onona
This is what I mean...
http://cuttingedge.org/free16.htm

Can you believe such crap? If you go looking for something you will find it

[Cleric]

I'm not gonna bother any further. Looking for deeper meaning doesn't make a film less enjoyable.

[Miktar]

Art is there for enjoyment right, yet we still analyse it in every way possible to me it feels like it takes away from the enjoyment of the art and instead just makes you a critic.

Wrong. Art is art. What it's 'there' for, is entirely idiosyncratic, or entirely at the whim of the creator or consumer. Some art is there to make a statement, some art is there to create cognative dissonance. Some art is just art for the sake of art.

District 9 is not art, it is /entertainment/. Yes, some people are trying to find meaning in the movie that isn't there, see the previous 5 pages of discussion on it in this thread and stop rehashing what has already been said.

Some movies are art, yes, that's a different discussion entirely.

You're preaching to the choir, KalMaverick.

[KalMaverick]

"District 9 is not art, it is /entertainment/."

The best statement by far.

On another topic, why the heck do we have to wait so long to see it?
Atleast X-Men we got to see earlier.

[Cleric]

I really should see the film before I get roped into another one of these. Sorry KalM. It seems that my imaginiation of what the film is is quite different to reality. Promise to not post here again until I've actually seen it.

[Miktar]

Of course, don't get me wrong. While District 9 is very much entertainment, in my personal opinion, it's very much also a work of art, but that's from the eye of this beholder.

[ioiiooio]

If anyone here has the time or inclination, could they please fix the Wiki page for this? It says it "Draws on events in South Africa during apartheid." and that the name is a direct reference to District 6 in Cape Town.

[Garson007]

If anyone here has the time or inclination, could they please fix the Wiki page for this? It says it "Draws on events in South Africa during apartheid." and that the name is a direct reference to District 6 in Cape Town.
This is because it is true? One can use a setting in sci-fi without creating a one to one analogy? Yes?

[ioiiooio]

Huh? I'm a little confused because Miktar has been arguing that it isn't an allegory of Apartheid, the only connection is that the aliens are segregated. Also when they say it like that it makes it sound like it's inspired by actual historical events.

[KalMaverick]

I really should see the film before I get roped into another one of these. Sorry KalM. It seems that my imaginiation of what the film is is quite different to reality. Promise to not post here again until I've actually seen it.

Don't worry man, we all have our opinions and as Miktar said:

"it's very much also a work of art, but that's from the eye of this beholder"

We can all see it the way we want so don't stress :-)

Once we've both seen it we can discusss :D

[Aesir]

I was utterly disgusted the other day, District 9 is out in Sasolburg so without checking I thought it would be out here as well. It obviously wasn't, I'm mean ****, Sasolburg has it and we don't. :<

[Cleric]

Just booked 9 tickets for myself and a group of friends. Going to Rosebank on Saturday. Can't wait.

[pArkEr]

10 best things about District 9

1. Americans will finally know where Johannesburg is.

2. It's the first local movie that has serious hope of getting an Oscar, not because it's "foreign", but because people really think it's the best movie of the year.

3. It was made for $30 million, and it made $37 million in its first weekend alone, topping the US box office.

4. That District 9 spaceship solves the burning issue of what we're going to do with used 2010 World Cup Soccer stadiums... if we can just figure out how to get them to float upside down.

5. It wasn't made by Leon Schuster.

6. It doesn't star Colin Moss, the schmodel-chick from FHM with the hot sister, or any of the other overly recycled actor "in-crowd" we're all so sick of seeing onscreen.

7. The South Africans in it sound South African, not German, Dutch, French or American.

8. The Van Der Merwe joke has now gone international, possibly galactical.

9. Thanks to lead actor Sharlto Copley, the sexy South African accent will finally get the international recognition it deserves (Arnold Vosloo set us back by at least 10 years).

10. They're already talking about a sequel. Who said crime didn't pay?

http://www.channel24.co.za/Content/Movies/Features/654/57e6315060474ee0ab893bd60e854257/18-08-2009%2012-08/10_best_things_about_District_9

Q & A With Neill Blomkamp


Q: Hi Neill. Will you give me a job?
Neill: [laughs] Uh, sure. What can you do?

Q: I can, uh, write. And ask questions?
Neill: Okay... um. We'll see.

Q: Is Peter Jackson [producer of District 9] awesome?
Neill: Yeah. I can honestly say he's awesome, without any element of sucking up. He's a genuinely warm person.

Q: Your movie is a big hit overseas. Did you expect that?
Neill: I'm definitely surprised by how well we've done, both critically and commercially. I only just found out that District 9 made $37 million in its opening weekend in the States.

Q: In two sentences, could you tell us what your movie is about?
Neill: It's a science fiction movie set in Joburg. There's a lot of other things going on, but the genesis is wanting to see a sci-fi set in Joburg.

Q: Would Sharlto [Copley, who plays Wikus van der Merwe, hero of District 9] make a good John-117? [Also known as Master Chief, protagonist of the Halo videogame-series, which Neill spent half a year turning into a movie before funding for the project fell through]
Neill: [laughs] ****, that's hilarious. He could probably pull it off. Especially since you never see Master Chief's face.

Q: Did the design of the Covenent [evil race of aliens in the Halo series] influence the design of the aliens in District 9?
Neill: No. Definitely not. We spent five months working on Halo. We made more than 2500 illustrations. Each individual in that universe was designed hundreds of times. I knew exactly what they looked like. And I consciously threw it all out when the movie was cancelled.

Q: You've been away for more than a decade [living in Canada], and have a pretty bleak view of South Africa. Has your time away influenced your view of the country, considering the politcal elements in District 9?
Neill: I don't view it as political. I just wanted to throw some South African stuff in. But, of course, it's not truthful, since it's coming from a white guy. And I have a bleak view of the world in general. The setting was just interesting, but I wouldn't use the word 'political' since it sounds like it needs resolution.

Q: How was the co-operation from the police and armed services in making the movie, considering the content?
Neill: Crap. Dog****. They strung us along for months and didn't do anything. Then they pulled out at the last minute.

Q: What did you want them for?
Neill: Well, then the movie would have been more authentic to have real police in it. So we ended up having these private military corporation vehicles go into the townships instead.

Q: Is it true that the movie contains real footage of the xenophobic riots in Johannesburg in 2008?
Neill: Yeah. In the beginning of the movie. Those guys with machetes.

Q: Wikus is a very Afrikaans character. What made you decide on him as the hero?
Neill: Making him so Afrikaans was deliberate, and having an Afrikaans bureaucrat go through such a transition. It was an interesting character arc for me.

Q: Would you say the apartheid metaphor in District 9 is politically accurate? For instance, the aliens are very docile.
Neill: No, probably not. At some point allegories start to break down and you enter the world of sci-fi. It's never explained in the movie, but the aliens are sort of like insect worker drones, and their queen is dead, which is why they seem so docile. It's something I might explain in a sequel.

Q: You mentioned in other interviews that you view Johannesburg as the dystopian future of the world.
Neill: That's completely accurate. Whenever I come to Joburg, I feel like I'm in the future.

Q: Why do you say that?
Neill: It's a place where the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. A place where you have all these rich gated communities keeping the poor at bay.

Q: A bit off-topic, but in other interviews you've said you believe humanity will achieve Singularity [a period in which we stop being humans and transcend]?
Neill: Wow, you really did your research...

Q: I know. This is why you should offer me a job.
Neill: [laughs. Cruelly. Sound of journalist's heart breaking] I think Raymond Kurzweil (future theorist) was probably accurate. You'll get a crossover between man and machine merging into the post-human. Where he was inaccurate, I think, was that his predictions were based on a fairly stable world. You'll get something like Joburg first. And out of the ashes 200 years from now, we'll enter the trans-human phase.

Q: So I'm living and working in the bleak, dystopian future of the world?
Neill: Yes.

Q: You're being asked to comment on Apartheid and South Africa's political history in international interviews. Do you feel a sense of responsibility to the country?
Neill: People keep asking the wrong questions. The movie wasn't crafted to be a political movie. Sure, I have some experience with it. In the 80s, you would see yellow Casspirs drive by. It's just the **** you grow up with, y'know? But I do feel some sense of weight on me. That's becoming more apparent.

Q: The beginning of the movie reminded me of the TV series The Office, with its documentary style. Was that an influence?
Neill: No. The reason for the documentary style in the beginning is that I wanted to see sci-fi through a news lens, and it's necessary to introduce the character of Wikus.

Q: What do you think the reception in South Africa will be?
Neill: I don't know. I hope they like it. With the amount of political stuff in it, it could go either way. There's no question some will take it badly.

Q: You've mentioned you're working on a new movie. Could you tell me more about it?
Neill: Not really. Because right now it's basically a paragraph. The basic idea is that it's a sci-fi set in the far future.

Q: After Halo collapsed, will you ever make a movie based on a videogame? Something like Gears of War?
Neill: I don't think so. What I want to do is build my own stuff. Why do Gears of War? It's already been designed.

Q: Last question. Was the decision deliberate to use mostly South African actors, and for them to keep their accents?
Neill: Yeah, we wanted to make them authentic. Not caricatures.

http://www.channel24.co.za/Content/Movies/Features/654/2326d84339bc4f2c8332adf33d1f771b/26-08-2009%2002-08/QA_with_Neill_Blomkamp

[Cleric]

Can I have his babies?

[Domanskip]

What a guy. Says it exactly how it is. I'm SO glad he isn't one of these idiots who glorify their birth country. He escaped from the crap-hole and made a success, not once does he elude to the 'great country that made him who he is today' because that country doesn't exist.

[Garson007]

What a guy. Says it exactly how it is. I'm SO glad he isn't one of these idiots who glorify their birth country. He escaped from the crap-hole and made a success, not once does he elude to the 'great country that made him who he is today' because that country doesn't exist.
Oh, boo hoo.

[wir]

Got back a few hours ago...


It was fan-tastic. I'm not going to say anything, since anything said is a spoiler, but I will say this:

grav-gun pig-shot

That is all.

Oh yes indeed, :>

[KalMaverick]

Oh man. Watched it last night. All I can say...

Distric 9 = EPIG ;)

[Octavianus]

South Africans thank District 9 makers for new insights into xenophobia

JOHANNESBURG. South Africans say that District 9 has taught them that xenophobia is bad, adding that without the sci-fi blockbuster they might never have understood that setting foreigners on fire is upsetting to them. "You only really understand something when you see it translated through the medium of high-budget special effects," explained one former xenophobe.

District 9 has stunned international audiences, many of whom had no idea that Johannesburg was so ugly, and it has been praised for confronting current South African realities like xenophobia, racism, high-explosive weaponry, and the fact that Gauteng is literally the worst place in the universe to get stranded in.

However local audiences have conceded that the film has been more than Hollywood entertainment, and have credited it with teaching them that murderous xenophobia is "wrong".

According to South Africans who saw advance screenings this week, District 9 had managed to help them see the humanity in otherwise "degenerate crustacean-like auslanders".

"Special effects blockbusters have always been crucial in helping us gain insight into the human condition," explained one viewer.

"Seeing people explode really makes you value the small things in life. For example, everything I know about love and loyalty I learned from Transformers."

Another fan echoed his sentiments, saying that he had only truly understood the concept of self-sacrifice "when Bruce Willis blew himself up on the asteroid".

According to most audience members, District 9's subtle metaphors and existential questions had hit home.

"We saw those prawns and someone said, 'Hey, it looks like that Rwandan guy from the corner shop!'" said one viewer. "We all laughed because it was true. And then we realised, hey, that Rwandan guy didn't ask to be born a prawn.

"And we got really sad."

Audiences said that the film would make them treat foreigners with "a lot more respect".

"Except if they try to muscle in on our movie industry," said one. "If they try to do that we'll probably set them on fire."

http://www.hayibo.co.za/articles/view/1116

[wrathex]

Gritty, organic, desperate, realistic and all in all a brilliant movie with superb acting, I floated out of the cinema, knowing that I have seen a South African science fiction movie that is a masterpiece.

There is no silver spoon in this movie and I anticipate an even greater sequel - awaiting the return in 3 years time.

[KalMaverick]

Are they going to make a sequel?

I mean its quite possible to just leave it there and be a very good movie.

Me personally though... I want a damn sequel that movie was so good I just wanted to see more.

[FEN1X]

It...was...awesome!

It had a great combination between humor, drama and action. I felt so proud seeing parts of home everywhere, it really felt like a South African movie.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope you guys go see it as soon as possible.

PS:
Miktar... GRAVGUN PIG SHOT OMGWTFBBQHAX!


I also saw... a BFG, lightening-gun, nailgun, plasmagun, railgun... anyone else see anything?

[wir]

Airblast ^.^

[Graal]

Me and my friends just booked our tickets. I can hardly wait! This is going to be the highlight of my month!

@Octavianus - Hehe, good find.

[Shadow_Con]

How the aliens act without a leader and in confusion reminds me of the zerg without an overmind where they have the power to fight back but nothing to motivate them to do so. That was an EPIC MOVIE!!!

[wir]

Spoiler tags; as Miktar said, anything you say can be a spoiler : )

[Flangenimblick]

Officially my favourite movie of all time. Not a single thing I didn't like about it.

The story and characters were rich and detailed. The acting was (for the most part) stunning and the special effects left me more satisfied than a pig in shyte.

Loved it, loved it, loved it. Did I mention how I loved it?

My mind has officially done its nut in.

[Kharrak]

http://www.hayibo.com/articles/view/1116

For a bit of a laff

[dammit]

Saw this last night. All I can say is ZOMG <3.

[Flangenimblick]

If anyone is interested, this is what the current film was based on:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ1vHRs_EOs


Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alive_in_Joburg

[Graal]

All I can say is, wow. Was excellent, funny, dramatic and everything it needed to be. I hope they don't make a sequel. It can never compare to this one. All I can say is:

Grav-Gun-Pig!

and

Don't you point your fokkin tentacles at me!

[Bontebok]

Went to see the movie last night, and wow, what an awesome piece of film.

The acting was (quite surprisingly) really good, the effects great and the story was fresh and gripping.

And I loved the "South Africanness" of it all, the SABC news tags, the accents, the people, everything.

And I also hope they don't make a sequel, it's perfect as it is with the open ending.

[KalMaverick]

I liked the acting it was quite good I surprised me, the only thing I didnt like... The wife's acting, she was horrible horrible horrible.

@Graal
"Don't you point your fokkin tentacles at me!"

That was flipping hilarious man I was killing myself laughing with that one.

[Domanskip]

Best film I've seen.... in.... ever.

I can't begin to describe how much I loved it. For some reason, it gripped me with more emotion than any film I've ever seen. Maybe it's because it hit so close to home. I actually don't have words.

[Flangenimblick]

Best film I've seen.... in.... ever.

I can't begin to describe how much I loved it. For some reason, it gripped me with more emotion than any film I've ever seen. Maybe it's because it hit so close to home. I actually don't have words.

QFT dude. QFT.

[FreakKing]

Awesome.

I was surprised at how gruesome some of the beginning scenes were, but then quickly got over it. It had some nice surprises.

[Boggle24]

OK yes, this is one of the best movies I've watched in a very very long while, a friend of mine said it is now his best film of all time, in my opinion it definitely deserves the praise it has been getting.

I was constantly amazed at absolutely everything, the acting, the effects, the story, it's a better movie than any of the big blockbusters I've seen this year.

[-Bouncer-]

Hello, little guy! It's the sweetie man coming!

Best movie in a very long time! :D

[Cleric]

What a film.

Seriously. Just incredible.

I felt physically tired after seeing it. It was so intense, and the shifts in tone were exectured masterfully. Charlto C was brilliant.

The little political "nods" here and there were excellently executed ("if they were from another country, we'd understand."), and the action was brilliant.

[Wight]

What an awesome film.
It had all the right ingredients, but more importantly, some real effort. I'm glad they didn't go overboard with the CG. There was a seamless pattern from one event to another, good.
Nice sci-fi movies are hard to come by. :)

[Mikit0707]

Saw it yesterday: \o/ Epic.

Kind of reminded me of Half-Life 2 at points; the prawns looked a little like the vortgaunts and there was that whole alien tech, resistance kind of theme going. Not to mention the grav-gun moment.

I disagree on the desire for a sequel. I think the movie gave enough closure at the end albeit a little bit depressing.

Now lets hope they don't make some crummy game out of it. There is enough IP in there to do a good FPS, but movie-game crossovers scare me. :/

[Cleric]

I actually think it's better served without a sequel. Half the attraction is the setting up of the premise. Once that's established, I don't see how the next film can be nearly as engaging as this one. Would love to see Blomkamp's efforts directed at a more original IP.

[Flangenimblick]

I felt physically tired after seeing it.

My housemate and I saw it together and we both were very exhausted afterwards, we still had to drive an 1hr and a half back to Grahamstown after we saw it! We went to bed at like 7pm! Haha.

As for a sequel, I'm torn between my overwhelming desire to see MOAR and the knowledge that most sequels suck.

Perhaps a written novel sequel would work? That way it's not an official sequel but people can continue the story if they want.

[Graal]

I don't really know if I should even classify this movie as Sci-Fi. Sure, it had it's Sci-Fi moments, but good damn, it should be classified in a genre of it's own.

This is the type of movie you build a cinema in your house for, just so you can watch it in style again, and again and again.
I'm definitely getting the Collectors Edition if there is one.

[Cleric]

Um... aliens. On earth. Sci-fi.

[Graal]

Um... aliens. On earth. Sci-fi.

Yeah, I know. But what I'm getting at is this movie is entirely different than all other Sci-Fi movies I've seen to date. I mean, you could hate Sci-Fi, yet still enjoy this movie. If you get all technical it should be classified as Sci-Fi, but I think at its heart that's not really what it aimed to be.
It's difficult to describe how I feel about it, but at least I tried :p

[Cleric]

Hmmm... not really getting you. I love it, but don't see it as more than a sci-fi action film with some political commentary in the premise.

[Miktar]

As for a sequel, I'm torn between my overwhelming desire to see MOAR and the knowledge that most sequels suck.

I disagree. I reference: Terminator 2, Aliens and Empire Strikes Back.

[Graal]

:/

I just realized that in the Film Review I wrote in my English Exam today I wrote that Jan Blomkamp was the director...

[Takiro]

I saw this on friday. Wikkus is the funniest character i'v seen in a long time. :)

Great movie, lots of very funny toung & cheek jokes.

[Flangenimblick]

I disagree. I reference: Terminator 2, Aliens and Empire Strikes Back.

Agreed. Hence my use of the word "most" :p . Or let me clarify, very few sequels in the past 10 years have been worthwhile. Most have simply been cash-ins.

[onona]

Agreed. Hence my use of the word "most" :p . Or let me clarify, very few sequels in the past 10 years have been worthwhile. Most have simply been cash-ins.

I totally agree. Sequels very rarely match, let alone better the first film in quality.

[brazed]

Most -racist- film -ever-!

I'm sick of ex-pats trying to score politcal points with drivel like this. Everyone who liked it is a bigot, and anyone who doesn't see it for what it is, is a moron.

[Toi]

Man this movie completely caught me off guard. I didn't ride the hype train in fact, apart from knowing that aliens land in Joburg, I didn't know squat. It was brilliant, the acting was spot on, the CG was great and so was the sound. It had a very raw, real feel to it, kinda like Children of men if I had to relate.

My emotions were all over the place, I laughed, I was sad, I was angry and I loved it. When I first saw the aliens I was grossed out but I love how Blomkamp makes you feel emotion towards them and it was kinda hard watching some scenes because of this.

Also, LOL at all this racist bull****. If parallel lines where to be drawn then it would relate to all these immigrants flooding our country. Seriously people.

I feel sorry for people who cannot enjoy a good movie. The fact is that most Hollywood "American" movies have a patriotic stigma attached to them and South African movies will for the better part, have an Apartheid stigma. Blame whomever you like for this.

[cov1e_stalker]

i've never everyone soo excited by a film before.

[Flangenimblick]

I totally agree. Sequels very rarely match, let alone better the first film in quality.


Indeed.



Most -racist- film -ever-!

I'm sick of ex-pats trying to score politcal points with drivel like this. Everyone who liked it is a bigot, and anyone who doesn't see it for what it is, is a moron.


I hope that's a joke :p but, to each their own.

[FoX]

just watched it... and wow

"Whats that you're throwing at them, teargas?" "NO! Catfood! It keeps them distracted" Had me in stitches.

[FTB_Screamer]

Watched it last night, was very good. Was alarming how few people we're also there, I mean it only opened on Friday?

[Graal]

To me, the film was a waste. It had so much promise in the beginning, then became a crappy action movie. It had no real depth, to be honest. The characters were shallow and boring, the plot simple, and whatever message the movie could have had was destroyed soon after it was brought up. At most, it's a mediocre action movie.

Yes, I know it's supposed to be about racism and segregation, mirroring the situation in South Africa to give it some measure of truthfullness, but really. I felt no sympathy for any character. The different sides were completely unambiguous morally. What could have been a great documentaryesque satire of real world politics and racism became a pitiful excuse for a 'deep' film.

You want to watch a show about racism and prejudice, watch Elfen Lied. It's better than any book, or movie I've ever seen. And I read alot, and watch many movies. Trust me. It's mindblowing.

This is a response from an international forum when asked what the people thought about this movie. Make of it what you will.

[Boggle24]

Yes, I know it's supposed to be about racism and segregation, mirroring the situation in South Africa to give it some measure of truthfullness,

- 50 points for missing the point entirely my good sir.


You want to watch a show about racism and prejudice, watch Elfen Lied. It's better than any book, or movie I've ever seen. And I read alot, and watch many movies. Trust me. It's mindblowing.

Oh good gosh, another Elfen Lied maniac, probably thinks Anime is the best thing modern civilization has ever created.

[onona]

And I read alot

What a way to destroy a point you're making.

[Graal]

I think even as an action movie District 9 stood out from the rest.

[Dakota]

This movie was awesome. found this site rather amusing too :P http://wikus.co.za/

[wir]

I AM SICK OF THESE MOTHER****ING PRAWNS IN THIS MOTHER****ING DISTRICT

[Gambit]

Going to see it tonight looking forward to it!

[Kharrak]

You want to watch a show about racism and prejudice, watch Elfen Lied

Oh wow... that kinda threw the guys opinion out of the cottage window. Sounds like an Anime Elitist to me... and I have a lot of experience with those >_>

[onona]

This movie was awesome. found this site rather amusing too :P http://wikus.co.za/

You know what's crap? I actually know that guy (the guy who plays Wikus) and I can't stand his guts. I worked with him for a year and a half many years ago, and he's one of the most abominable, unscrupulous, manipulative, downright evil *******s that has ever tainted my life. And it's so hard seeing his fecking face everywhere, because it brings back so many bad memories.

But I really want to see this film.

:/

[wir]

Well, he plays a bit of an unlikable character for the most part, so it shouldn't be /too/ much of an issue.

[onona]

Yeah, that's what everyone keeps telling me. The film is opening here this weekend. I think I'm going to have to swallow my hatred and just go see the film. After all, Neill rocks.

[Flangenimblick]

After all, Neill rocks.

Tru dat.

[McDangerous]

I just saw it, and I was absolutely blown away. Officially my no1 favourite movie ever. What made it even better, the only thing I knew about the flick beforehand was Aliens+Johannesburg.

Everything about it was awesome, the acting (except for Wikus' wife), the CGI (many a nerdgasm I tell you...), the plot, the action...

I really, really, really loved this film, and I recommend anyone that likes some action, suspense, or any sort of testosterone-fueled madness, go and watch it.

It's actually made me fell pretty patriotic for a change.

AND, afrikaans swearing + awesome alien guns = WIN ^ 9bagillion

[Gambit]

Okay watched it last night and it was absolutely brilliant! The only thing people did not warn me about was the incredibly realistic depictions of humans being blown to ****... no really it would impress Quentin Tarantino greatly I believe. This is not for the squeamish! I took my girlfriend with and she got slightly rattled, I don't think it was because of the pure violence, it's just because it is that realistic and it is set so close to home..

People who's opinion I would love on this movie:

Quentin Tarantino
Joss Whedon

[FoX]

people did not warn me about was the incredible realistic depictions of humans being blown to ****...

First time I saw it my jaw fell off I seriously did not expect it to be so... chunky

[FreakKing]

You know what's crap? I actually know that guy (the guy who plays Wikus) and I can't stand his guts. I worked with him for a year and a half many years ago...

Wow. Who have you not worked with?

I'm actually glad they added the chunky explosive parts, because those alien weapons didn't look like much at first glance.

[vii]

WOW... just WOW... That was AWESOME!

[Gambit]

Don't know if someone has mentioned this yet, but this is the best review I have seen so far:

escapistmagazine.com (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escape-to-the-movies/876-District-9)

[KalMaverick]

I just saw it, and I was absolutely blown away. Officially my no1 favourite movie ever. What made it even better, the only thing I knew about the flick beforehand was Aliens+Johannesburg.

Everything about it was awesome, the acting (except for Wikus' wife), the CGI (many a nerdgasm I tell you...), the plot, the action...

I really, really, really loved this film, and I recommend anyone that likes some action, suspense, or any sort of testosterone-fueled madness, go and watch it.

It's actually made me fell pretty patriotic for a change.

AND, afrikaans swearing + awesome alien guns = WIN ^ 9bagillion

That's what I said she was flipping pathetic imo, 7de laan could of done better (she wasn't from 7de laan was she?) and I really hate that show.

But aside from that it was really a great movie, I'm thinking of watching it again just for the fun of it.

[vii]

I found it some things like "the university of kempton park"... I grew up there and the closest thing we have is a Damelin college...


I'd also like to know the back story, like where the leaders went? Why are the drones listless? Why is Christopher so smart if he's just a drone?

[Miktar]

the drones are 'conscripted' by being turned into prawns by the same ooze that made Wikkus a prawn, as for why Christopher is so smart (or more importantly, his son) - Bloemkamp said that the race the prawn is will, when they lose their leaders, give birth to a new caste of leaders as a means for survival. Bloemkamp also said that a disease killed off the leaders of that particular 'pod' (the mothership hovering over JHB is just a small pod detached from the main mothership which was en route somewhere else) which is why the pod floated to the nearest habitable planet, Earth

[vii]

the drones are 'conscripted' by being turned into prawns by the same ooze that made Wikkus a prawn, as for why Christopher is so smart (or more importantly, his son) - Bloemkamp said that the race the prawn is will, when they lose their leaders, give birth to a new caste of leaders as a means for survival. Bloemkamp also said that a disease killed off the leaders of that particular 'pod' (the mothership hovering over JHB is just a small pod detached from the main mothership which was en route somewhere else) which is why the pod floated to the nearest habitable planet, Earth

Ooh, could you possibly provide a link to some of this information?

[Miktar]

Got it from all over, TV interviews and stuff.


NB: The thing that really appealed to me was this idea that they're a hive. They are worker drones so they don't have the direction that they need. I don't think anything's wrong with their planet. They've got their planet and they have all of these ships, like the one that you see, that leave their planet and go and get resources from other planets. Each ship has some kind of alien that we've never seen, like an elite queen or whatever, that they take direction from, and there's some virus or bacteria that they picked up on another planet that affected the upper echelons of their society and left all of them. The ship auto-piloted them to the closest planet that would sustain life.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/district_9/news/1842105/neill_blomkamp_talks_district_9_rt_interview

Not quite what I was looking for. I know he had more details online somewhere


I think that they [the Prawn] do have a home planet, it's pretty far away probably in the Andromeda Galaxy, but what I like is that they'll live on the ship for thousands of years. Obviously, there's much more of a population on the main planet, but the ships will go out and get the minerals and the ore and whatever resources they need and then bring them all back home.

http://io9.com/5341120/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-district-9


AVC: I only came out of District 9 with one plot question, and it involves a major spoiler, so it?s going at the very end of this interview. How was Christopher able to get the mothership started so quickly and easily, given that none of the other aliens were able to when they were originally stranded? Why was he able to just punch a button and get it started after 20 years?

NB: The idea is that?this gets really geeky and insane, but going back to their hive-structure thing?their queen has died, and the elite population of their society has died, which are really the decision-makers. You?re left with a bunch of drones that aren?t directed on their own goal-setting basis. I like the idea that after 20 or 30 years, that their ESP kind of hive-mind will begin to almost elect members of its population to start?their fundamental brain architecture could actually change, and they start forming leadership roles.

So I think when they?re on their ship, and they?re all destitute, when you see them at the beginning of the film starving, it?s that there is no one thinking on that level. They simply take orders. So it?s taken 20 years for that hive to start realigning itself. And so as Christopher has gone through these years, his mind has started to be honed into forming a plan. So that?s where it came from. And this nano-fluid that he had to collect, which he would have had access to on the ship back then, it?s just simply that the drive didn?t exist. The hive is just trying to restart itself.

http://www.avclub.com/articles/district-9-director-neill-blomkamp,31606/

[Miktar]

http://clip2net.com/clip/m6496/1252117430-clip-21kb.jpg

[Kharrak]

Finally saw the movie last night, I really enjoyed it.

I was really pleased how freely the colloquialisms flowed, it added a tremendious amount of substance to the film for me, and oddly enough I assume that most of it (if not all) went completely over the head of foreigners.

Plus, having the movie set in the city I live in, and seeing recognizable buildings such as the Telkom building and the broadcasting towers... it removed a lot of the "foreign artificiality" that other movies have.

A few plot holes, sure, but I really enjoyed the movie.

[Cleric]

Care to elaborate on the plot-holes?

[Miktar]

A few plot holes, sure, but I really enjoyed the movie.

There aren't as many plot-holes as you may think. I've found that what many consider plot-holes on first viewing, aren't, because there IS a backstory in play.

[Kharrak]

There aren't as many plot-holes as you may think. I've found that what many consider plot-holes on first viewing, aren't, because there IS a backstory in play.

Well, the two that bug me are:

If the Prawn could manipulate the ship to pic up the crashed flier, then why didn't they just do that initially? Instead of getting fuel, just get it to pick the thing up?

Unless of course fuel was needed to turn on the interface with which the child used to operate the mothership...

Secondly, I'm just a tad curious as to why the fuel would have that kind of an effect on a human, an effect that the Prawn recognized.

[Miktar]

The 'fluid' - it was never really fuel, just an all-purpose fluid - turns things into prawns because that's where the prawns come from, according to Bloemkamp. The hive re-purposes other alien species into worker drones by turning them into them via the fluid, which also acts as a fuel for many things due to the tied-in genetics of the species.

Chris' son, unknown to Chris, was way smarter than Chris as is shown in a few scenes in the movie where Chris tells his son to stop fiddling with things, when clearly the son has a greater grasp of things due to him being born as a leader caste. Yes, the fluid was needed to turn on the uplink interface between the command module and the mothership.

Chris recognized the fluid effects on Wickus because, well, he knew full well the fluid was used to conscript creatures into the hive.

[Kharrak]

Arrrr thanks for clearing that up!

[Flangenimblick]

I love the fact that this movie is so deep as to have all this awesome backstory to it!

[x-scon]

Just saw it. Great movie!
I don't see the point of linking the story to apartheid at all. I don't feel the situation would have been different if they landed in any other country. I would love to see it again. Also, no Americans saving the day!! Awesome! :-D

[Schattenjager]

Yeah District 9 was really Epic.
I don't think it should be linked to apartheid either but it inevitably will, there are just too many similarities to SA's darker past in the movie for it to not be linked, this really frustrates me, being reminded of the past the whole time doesn't help us to move forward.

[pArkEr]

It isn't being linked to apartheid, read the interview with Neill I posted a few pages back.
Still haven't seen it myself, Ramadaan is taking longer than usual.

[Darkmag]

OMG That movie was f-ing AWESOME!?!?!?!??!

[N3G4T1v3]

This movie was epic! definably worth the watch

[hawk]

I saw it on Friday night, absolutely awesome! Loved it. I think its going to be sci-fi classic! :)

[Schattenjager]

It isn't being linked to apartheid, read the interview with Neill I posted a few pages back.
Still haven't seen it myself, Ramadaan is taking longer than usual.

Yeah I know it wasn't meant to be linked to apartheid, but like any piece of art it's open to interpretation. (possible spoiler alert) I mean what does this sound like to you: Aliens live in poverty, in shacks, in a township and are then harrased, beaten and shot by mostly white police and other officials who show up in Caspers with guns speaking broken english and who can't see them for the living, thinking individuals they are. Eventually the aliens get tired of it and decide to stand up for themselves resulting in conflict....?

lol I see a lot of links to apartheid in the movie but that's just my interpretation, I guess everyone can make of it what they want :)

Still it's easy to forget about that and focus on the rest of the sub-story and everything else that makes the movie so epic.... :D

[Toi]

Yeah I know it wasn't meant to be linked to apartheid, but like any piece of art it's open to interpretation. (possible spoiler alert) I mean what does this sound like to you: Aliens live in poverty, in shacks, in a township and are then harrased, beaten and shot by mostly white police and other officials who show up in Caspers with guns speaking broken english and who can't see them for the living, thinking individuals they are. Eventually the aliens get tired of it and decide to stand up for themselves resulting in conflict....?

lol I see a lot of links to apartheid in the movie but that's just my interpretation, I guess everyone can make of it what they want :)

Still it's easy to forget about that and focus on the rest of the sub-story and everything else that makes the movie so epic.... :D


In all fairness, most of the shooting was done by black police too.

[KalMaverick]

"Yeah I know it wasn't meant to be linked to apartheid, but like any piece of art it's open to interpretation. (possible spoiler alert) I mean what does this sound like to you: Aliens live in poverty, in shacks, in a township and are then harrased, beaten and shot by mostly white police and other officials who show up in Caspers with guns speaking broken english and who can't see them for the living, thinking individuals they are. Eventually the aliens get tired of it and decide to stand up for themselves resulting in conflict....? "


woah woah woah.... what movie were you watching?

I think we talking about two different Distric 9s here:

Firstly, They were not "thinking individuals"

Secondly, There was no standing up for themselves (see first point)

[pArkEr]

Schattenjager, read the thread from the beginning please.

[Schattenjager]

KalMaverick wrote:
"woah woah woah.... what movie were you watching?

I think we talking about two different Distric 9s here:

Firstly, They were not "thinking individuals"

Secondly, There was no standing up for themselves (see first point)"


They were not thinking individuals?
So I guess the fact that they could read and speak and developed highly advanced technology doesn't mean anything in terms of classifying them as thinking individuals. I mean if they eat cat food, chew tyres and live off garbage it must mean they're nothing more than mindless animals huh? ;)

At least one of them did stand up for himself, killed some humans to repair his ship and went back to his planet, so he can come back in 3 years and free his people remember....?
Free his people... sounds familiar too, doesn't it? :p

pArkEr:
I'll go read the other 15 pages of the thread but I'm pretty sure it won't change my interpretation of all those apartheid indicators in the movie.... :)

[pArkEr]

I'm not saying it will, just that everything's already been discussed to death ;)

[Miktar]

They were not thinking individuals?

Not "free thinking" as much as you might think.


So I guess the fact that they could read and speak and developed highly advanced technology doesn't mean anything in terms of classifying them as thinking individuals.

The drones you saw in the movie, with the exception of Christopher and his son which have been reclassified as leader caste, were all worker caste, and not capable of reading or developing highly advanced technology.


I mean if they eat cat food, chew tyres and live off garbage it must mean they're nothing more than mindless animals huh? ;)

If you had bothered to read the thread, you would know that they were worker drones, and not quite as intelligent as you make them out to be.


At least one of them did stand up for himself, killed some humans to repair his ship and went back to his planet, so he can come back in 3 years and free his people remember....?

Christopher was an exception, being of the leader caste.


pArkEr:I'll go read the other 15 pages of the thread but I'm pretty sure it won't change my interpretation of all those apartheid indicators in the movie.... :)

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink, that's true. However, knowing more (as opposed to the little you know now), may help change your opinion, thus, your context, for how you view the events.

Put in the little bit of extra effort and try to educate yourself.

[cov1e_stalker]

Do you guys think a game set in the district 9 universe would work ?

Example: An RTS game where you command the prawns , on a different planet .(no humans)

[McDangerous]

Do you guys think a game set in the district 9 universe would work ?

Example: An RTS game where you command the prawns , on a different planet .(no humans)

I thought about that exact same thing, well, rather a FPS game based along the actual lines of the movie, but that would be terrible... I just know it. Epic movies just don't make epic games, you need a completely different perspective and plot.

Terminator Salvation or Doom anyone? Jaaaaa....

And in actual fact, controlling only the prawns with no relation to the actual film would be kinda pointless... It'd just have to be a good RTS game. Like Red Alert, except with prawns.

Although, off topic I know, but i've always thought that the F.E.A.R. franchise would make a killer film. Or CODIV for that matter.

[onona]

Right, I just saw District 9 this evening. I thought it was incredibly average.

It started off quite strong, but quickly descended into another formulaic sci-fi alien chase fest. I have no idea why anyone here could use the word "epic" to describe it, because I don't think it comes anywhere near such superlatives. Both my friends and I came out the film saying we'd give it around a six out of ten.

I'd say the film's biggest strength is its honesty. Because, let's face it, if a bunch of seemingly stupid aliens showed up on earth, people would stick them in a bunch of refugee type camps, and people would attempt to profit off them, like the Nigerians were doing. So kudos to Neill for making a film that doesn't pretend that humans are anything more than they really are.

Having said that, I found the script became tiresome, the pace was all over the place, there were HUGE plot holes, violence for the sake of shock and not effect, some really bad CGI (and I hated the design of the aliens themselves, but that's more of a personal taste thing), and the film, frankly, got boring in parts.

I'm looking forward to seeing Neill grow as a director and I think as first films go, this one wasn't bad. But it's definitely not one worth a second viewing for me.

[onona]

The 'fluid' - it was never really fuel, just an all-purpose fluid - turns things into prawns because that's where the prawns come from, according to Bloemkamp. The hive re-purposes other alien species into worker drones by turning them into them via the fluid, which also acts as a fuel for many things due to the tied-in genetics of the species.

Chris' son, unknown to Chris, was way smarter than Chris as is shown in a few scenes in the movie where Chris tells his son to stop fiddling with things, when clearly the son has a greater grasp of things due to him being born as a leader caste. Yes, the fluid was needed to turn on the uplink interface between the command module and the mothership.

Chris recognized the fluid effects on Wickus because, well, he knew full well the fluid was used to conscript creatures into the hive.

If you need to research an entire backstory in order to fill the gaps in apparent plot holes, then the film has absolutely failed in its primary function: storytelling.

[Cloud_Ratha]

You know what's crap? I actually know that guy (the guy who plays Wikus) and I can't stand his guts. I worked with him for a year and a half many years ago, and he's one of the most abominable, unscrupulous, manipulative, downright evil *******s that has ever tainted my life. And it's so hard seeing his fecking face everywhere, because it brings back so many bad memories.

But I really want to see this film.

:/

Im sorry Wikus broke your fokkin heart!




:P

[Miktar]

If you need to research an entire backstory in order to fill the gaps in apparent plot holes, then the film has absolutely failed in its primary function: storytelling.

*hands you the spoon so you can feed yourself* ;)

I know what you're saying, and in many ways you're right, but I think you missed a part of the vibe of the movie. The cuts between Wickus in follow-cam and the God-cam view of Christopher, are very indicative that not everything is being shown to you in the first place.

In terms of storytelling, I thought District 9 did it's job 100% - it told the story of the lead protagonist, Christopher, and his interactions with Wickus and the rest of the human race. The story it told was one of characters, not one of, I dunno, 'Must destroy the one true ring' type of circle-jerking.

Granted, it's not going to work for everyone, as is evident by you and your friend not thinking all that much of it. Did it fail? At least this time you can't say that it did, because I'd be damned if you're going to tell me the critical success of the movie, financially and culturally, is indicative of an idiot-groupthink that only cares for 'baysplosions. I'd give you that for G.I. Joe, sure, but for D-9, no chance in hell.

And I thought the aliens were damn sexy, so you can go to hell in a handbasket. :P

[Toi]

Right, I just saw District 9 this evening. I thought it was incredibly average.

It started off quite strong, but quickly descended into another formulaic sci-fi alien chase fest. I have no idea why anyone here could use the word "epic" to describe it, because I don't think it comes anywhere near such superlatives. Both my friends and I came out the film saying we'd give it around a six out of ten.

I'd say the film's biggest strength is its honesty. Because, let's face it, if a bunch of seemingly stupid aliens showed up on earth, people would stick them in a bunch of refugee type camps, and people would attempt to profit off them, like the Nigerians were doing. So kudos to Neill for making a film that doesn't pretend that humans are anything more than they really are.

Having said that, I found the script became tiresome, the pace was all over the place, there were HUGE plot holes, violence for the sake of shock and not effect, some really bad CGI (and I hated the design of the aliens themselves, but that's more of a personal taste thing), and the film, frankly, got boring in parts.

I'm looking forward to seeing Neill grow as a director and I think as first films go, this one wasn't bad. But it's definitely not one worth a second viewing for me.

Different strokes I guess. Also, you've mentioned numerous times that you cannot stand Sharlto Copley's guts, you think that played a role in you being too critical of the film? I hate Woody Allen so my mind is pretty made up that any film from him won't go down well with me.

[Schattenjager]

Oh, riiiight, just finished reading the other pages on the thread, sorry that was totally my bad. Thanks for summing it up for me again Miktar :)

I heard from a little bird that it's going to be a trilogy. The next movie in the trilogy is apparently going to be a prologue to district 9 where they go into more detail about how they came to earth and how they adjusted to our planet in the years running up to District 9 and only after that they'll make District 10....
Hehe kinda looking forward to that :)

[Octavianus]

*hands you the spoon so you can feed yourself* ;)

I know what you're saying, and in many ways you're right, but I think you missed a part of the vibe of the movie. The cuts between Wickus in follow-cam and the God-cam view of Christopher, are very indicative that not everything is being shown to you in the first place.

In terms of storytelling, I thought District 9 did it's job 100% - it told the story of the lead protagonist, Christopher, and his interactions with Wickus and the rest of the human race. The story it told was one of characters, not one of, I dunno, 'Must destroy the one true ring' type of circle-jerking.

Granted, it's not going to work for everyone, as is evident by you and your friend not thinking all that much of it. Did it fail? At least this time you can't say that it did, because I'd be damned if you're going to tell me the critical success of the movie, financially and culturally, is indicative of an idiot-groupthink that only cares for 'baysplosions. I'd give you that for G.I. Joe, sure, but for D-9, no chance in hell.

And I thought the aliens were damn sexy, so you can go to hell in a handbasket. :P

wut.

[onona]

I know what you're saying, and in many ways you're right, but I think you missed a part of the vibe of the movie. The cuts between Wickus in follow-cam and the God-cam view of Christopher, are very indicative that not everything is being shown to you in the first place.

Yes, there is obviously a backstory; that much is evident from the simple fact that the aliens have already been here for 20 years by the time the film starts. My point about storytelling wasn't specifically aimed at this film in particular, but more in general. I think that, on its own, the story in District 9 is fine, provided you don't think about it too much. There are, however, plot holes, and I think that explaining those away with backstories is a failure, but it's a failure outside the film itself, if you know what I mean.


In terms of storytelling, I thought District 9 did it's job 100% - it told the story of the lead protagonist, Christopher, and his interactions with Wickus and the rest of the human race.

It's interesting that you see Christopher as the protagonist, because I see Wikus (who, despite my personal feelings towards the actor, was actually quite enjoyable) as the protagonist. He's the one that the story revolves around, not Christopher. Christopher is a plot device which enables Wikus to possibly find a way out of his situation.

And therein is proof of one of the problems of the film - around the middle, it degenerated into a bit of a mess. The film started off as an interesting look at how the aliens had landed, been placed in a camp, and become hated by the local population. The film appears to be about the aliens, but then we're introduced to Wikus, and suddenly the film is about him, and what happens to him. And then once he started to mutate, the film became quite chaotic. And while that works for some films, I don't really think it worked too well here, because it then went from being interesting and unusual, to a regular formulaic chase-chase-chase-fight-fight-escape film that still couldn't quite decide whether it was about a guy who is being chased by a private security company, or the experiences of an alien on a planet where his species are being killed and used for medical experiments. And by being both, it kinda doesn't quite explore either of them to a depth that's entirely satisfying.


I'd be damned if you're going to tell me the critical success of the movie, financially and culturally, is indicative of an idiot-groupthink that only cares for 'baysplosions.

I think the reason for the film's initial appeal is quite easy to identify: it's different. Or, at least, the first half is. It's refreshing and exciting to see an alien film set somewhere other than the continental United States. I think that's a reason for part of its commercial success. But you can't really ignore the fact that half the movie was just guns and explosions. The fact that Transformers 2 made so much money this summer demonstrates how much people love those 'baysplosions, so what exactly is your point here? They loved Transformers 2 and they loved District 9. Idiot-groupthink is your term, not mine. I'd simply say that people are easily entertained, and I don't really think that's necessarily a bad thing at all in this case. Most of my friends really enjoyed this film and I don't think any of them are idiots. And I didn't hate it or anything, I just thought it was kinda meh. I don't believe that District 9 is really as deep as people are making it out to be, because at the end of the day it really was just a skop, skiet en donder film; it just happened to be set against an unusual backdrop. I hope that Blomkamp's next film will have more of the unusual stuff, and less of the formulaic stuff.

[Schattenjager]

I can really see ononas' point here. I mean if it wasn't for the fact there's this back story that I (and I'm guessing most people who saw the movie) didn't know about before watching the movie I wouldn't have made the mistake of thinking all the aliens were equal. It would have been nice if they explained that briefly in the movie. Just hinting that there is a back story usually isn't enough to help viewers understand what's going on.

If my source is correct I believe that this problem was caused by the fact that they're kind of releasing the movies backwards. Timeline wise District 9 is apparently supposed to be the middle movie in the trilogy, District 9 was apparently released first because it is better suited to get people interested and hooked on the trilogy because, as far as the story line goes, it's more action packed and dramatic. The Prologue movie that's apparently going to be released next will be the one that focuses more on the back story and because they want people to go and watch it they didn't want to give too much away in District 9.
This new trend of releasing movies in the wrong order is kind of annoying if you ask me.

[Darkmag]

This new trend of releasing movies in the wrong order is kind of annoying if you ask me.

Examples please cause I really can`t think of any.

[pArkEr]

Any movie with a prequel :D

[Graal]

I don't care what the next movie is about or when it takes place, so long as it is fun to watch.

[Miktar]

@onona: Fair enough. Can't argue with that.

[Toi]

I actually loved the "plot holes". I didn't feel like going to the cinema and watching a story, I wanted to be entertained but still wanted something to ponder about on my drive back home.

See the difference is not so much in taste but more as to why we watch the movies that we choose to watch. I watch movies purely for entertainment reasons. Sure I appreciate a good story now and then but sitting back, switching off and chilling are the main ones. Work and life is hectic enough as it is so I don't want or need deep plots and character developments.

[Aesir]

I saw it on Monday and I thought it was awesome, totally different than the usual "aliens wanna kill us all". I liked the way they shot the movie but it was a bit to much at times, that together with the stupid prawn behind the projector that doesn't know how to focus it left my eyes fraked afterward.

When Chris said he will be back in 3 years, I hope he didn't mean we would have to wait 3 years for the next incarnation. :P

[GhOsT_828]

I finally watched it today, and I really enjoyed it. Hell, even the weapons they used were accurate (An aspect gun fanatics such as myself are happy about).

All in all, cool movie, bro.

[BlackMage]

Best action sequences I've seen in a very very long time.

Why? cause I care about the characters and why they are fighting.

Although, if you know some of the backstory, you start thinking of the aliens as the bad guys.

[McDangerous]

....you start thinking of the aliens as the bad guys.

That's actually one of my favorite traits of the movie. Very seldom have I changed my opinion of a character in a film, but in District 9, at one stage I thought the aliens were *******s, then within a few minutes I thought Wikus was an ******* and Christopher (btw that made me giggle every time, what a ridiculous name for an alien, Christopher Johnson. I get why that's his name, I'm not an idiot, it just amused me while watching) was a hero.

My perceptions of the characters swung around numerous times, something which I really enjoyed. Kept it from becoming predictable and stale.

[Stalker 103]

I so wish I could see this movie.

[Signor 65]

Saw it on the weekend, I loved every second of it. Entertainment at its best, if you ask me.

[InsertName]

This movie blew my mind. I haven't see a movie in the cinema for about 6 months and when I watched this I called my friends and I watched it a second time.

[goleastro]

What an awesome movie. It just has that whole South African feel which can make you feel more fimiliar with everything. Man it was good.

And dam i loved the alien weaponry, its so awesomelly advanced.

[Jest3r]

Finally got to watch this on DVD, and it was brilliant. Very original, the way it starts off. Superb acting by Charlto Copley as Wikus, just loved his Afrikaans accent, with some hilarious dialog! He actually had me thinking he really speaks like that, until I watched the "making of" footage and heard him speak in his normal English accent. Also loves the way his character evolves throughout the film. The plot holes were so massive, though, it makes me think it was done on purpose.

Firstly, the aliens had a HUGE advantage with weaponry and robots and what not, why were they being so submissive, when they could just blow the humans to smithereens and take over the planet? Secondly, Wikus finds this canister with black fluid under a pile of rubbish in some shack, and suddenly it becomes the only reason why the aliens couldn't leave? Also, how did the humans come
to understand the alien language? When Wikus pilots the robot, he decides to run away, rather than use the massive fire power at his command? Doesn't make sense, but like I say, I think it was done on purpose, tongue in cheek, you know?

[wir]

Firstly, the aliens had a HUGE advantage with weaponry and robots and what not, why were they being so submissive, when they could just blow the humans to smithereens and take over the planet? Secondly, Wikus finds this canister with black fluid under a pile of rubbish in some shack, and suddenly it becomes the only reason why the aliens couldn't leave? Also, how did the humans come
to understand the alien language? When Wikus pilots the robot, he decides to run away, rather than use the massive fire power at his command? Doesn't make sense, but like I say, I think it was done on purpose, tongue in cheek, you know?



As I understand it, the prawns we see were the lowly working class aliens, not really capable of thinking for themselves.

Also, while I can't remember the exact number now, the prawns had been living with humans for 10-20 years and they obviously picked up our language and visa versa.

[Jest3r]

As I understand it, the prawns we see were the lowly working class aliens, not really capable of thinking for themselves.

Also, while I can't remember the exact number now, the prawns had been living with humans for 10-20 years and they obviously picked up our language and visa versa.

OK sorry, didn't take time to read the whole thread, now I understand.

[Miktar]

Groan. Not AGAIN. Okay, from the top:


Firstly, the aliens had a HUGE advantage with weaponry and robots and what not, why were they being so submissive, when they could just blow the humans to smithereens and take over the planet?

They lacked a leader caste. It took the decades that preceed the movie, for the new, intelligent leader caste to be born.



Secondly, Wikus finds this canister with black fluid under a pile of rubbish in some shack, and suddenly it becomes the only reason why the aliens couldn't leave?

It took the new, intelligent leader caste THAT LONG to create that canister of liquid, without alerting the MNU.


Also, how did the humans come to understand the alien language?

The same way explorers to the New World and other countries did, spending ten years or more LEARNING THE LANGUAGE.


When Wikus pilots the robot, he decides to run away, rather than use the massive fire power at his command?

Because he was a spineless doos? Or did that escape you? :P


Doesn't make sense, but like I say, I think it was done on purpose, tongue in cheek, you know?

No, it all pretty much had rational, in-character, in-universe reasons.

[Jest3r]

Like I said, my humble apologies, I jumped in without reading the whole thread first. Everything makes sense now, but thanx for taking the time to explain it all again.

[phreak]

Just got my blu-ray. Can't wait to watch it again tonight.

[Cleric]

Was the God Of War 3 demo included?

[Jest3r]

Just watched the movie again, and I'm just MAD about Charlto Copley! The way he makes the character come to life. One of my favorite sayings in future will be: "Hey! don't point your F***n tentacles at me!!! Simply BRILLIANT!!!

[phreak]

Was the God Of War 3 demo included?


Had to work late, so I forgot to check. Sorry.
Will see tonight if its there.

[Garson007]

How could you possibly have the blu-ray?

[Die Jason]

How could you possibly have the blu-ray?

?

It is available to purchase locally already, see here (http://www.take2.co.za/dvd-district-9-2009-blu-ray-5148048.html)

[Garson007]

?

It is available to purchase locally already, see here (http://www.take2.co.za/dvd-district-9-2009-blu-ray-5148048.html)
Strange.

[phreak]

Was the God Of War 3 demo included?


Nope. looks like just the us version got it.

@Garson007: Was pretty surprised it was released so quickly. Probly wanted it out for the x-mas shopping rush.

[Garson007]

@Garson007: Was pretty surprised it was released so quickly. Probly wanted it out for the x-mas shopping rush.
Yeah, the US release is only on the 22nd and the UK on the 28th.

[vii]

I saw the Blu-Ray in the Look & Listen in Menlyn last night.

[BattleMoose]

While I don't think apartheid was a specific notion of the film, I do think that racial prejudice more generally was a very strong theme. Its no accident the location of the film, its name and the display of forced removals and segregation. Although the "apartheid feel" of the film I think was intended to start the thinking of racial prejudices and segregation.

Racial prejudices are very emotionally charged and its all but nigh impossible to engage with the general population on such a topic rationally. Creating a new race, and depicting how we as humans respond to them, how we probably would, with prejudice, exploitation and segregation serves to highlight our general trend towards prejudice in a non-offensive manner. Highlighting our tendency to such wanton prejudice.

And Wikus, being originally in charge of the forced removal, started to turn into a "prawn" and then being forced to co-operate with them in order to achieve his interests and achieve a "happy ending", trying to depict that we can work with those we are prejudiced against for our own betterment.

Exposing our general prejudices as humans I think was a key goal of the film.

[FTB_Screamer]

I got the DVD this weekend, and one deleted scene is one of the funiest things I've ever seen :D.
The one where he walks up to 2 guys with a flame thrower , says "Morning", blows one up with alien gun, and yells "Fokof" while chasing the other one away

[Bke]

i must say that this film seems to have -at least to me...correction please- usherd in an era in sci-fi alien films where we are the superior, or domineering race. mind you, im not claiming that this film sparked this era, im just saying it appears the first in a growing list.

[DukeOFprunes]

i must say that this film seems to have -at least to me...correction please- usherd in an era in sci-fi alien films where we are the superior, or domineering race. mind you, im not claiming that this film sparked this era, im just saying it appears the first in a growing list.

Is it the humans who made the giant mothership, the way-cool guns and the all purpose fluid?

Nope.

The prawns would eat Human Flakes for brekkie.

[ioiiooio]

I actually found the mother ship a little disappointing, when I think of a Mother Ship I think of something the size of a small planet.

Awesome movie though. I also felt that there were too many plot-holes for the film to stand on it's own, it's too obvious as a set up for sequels. That said, I look forward to the rest.

[Dark Prince]

I thought themovie was very good for a South African film, Am i correct? Sad ending tho. I hate Parktown Prwans, sick

[DukeOFprunes]

I actually found the mother ship a little disappointing, when I think of a Mother Ship I think of something the size of a small planet.

Awesome movie though. I also felt that there were too many plot-holes for the film to stand on it's own, it's too obvious as a set up for sequels. That said, I look forward to the rest.

Yay plot holes! Let's have a few, I bet we can explain them all away. Shoot.

[Bke]

duke, i did also write domineering, a status which doesnt really require humans being more advanced or powerful to acheive. see the fall of rome.

i enjoyed this film because its the first south african film that doesnt deal with depressing south african issues, al la totsie. whilst there where obvious apartheid overtones, i feel that they where overshadowed by the rest of the plot.

i disagree with the mothership looking stupid, though. not only does it maintain the archtyple alien space ship design -eluding to other food for thought- but it implys that the prawns themselves are somewhat new to intersteller travle by the sheer clunkyness of the whole structure. and finaly, though this is a bit of a streach, its very similar to what we thought we would be flying around in fifteen years ago: big metallic monster with bits jutting out at retarded places. it furthur serves to connect them to us... its also, through a convoluted form of logic, more believable.

[ioiiooio]

BKE, you took my statement a little too seriuously there. lol. But you have some good points. I also seem to remember that there are a couple of these space ships that came down, the story was just focused on the one in JHB.

@ DukeOfPrunes. I've already read the thread, but I agree with onona. I personaly hate when a sequel can't stand on it's own as a, errr for lack of a better term, "micro-story". You have to read up on the history or watch the other movies before the plot-holes make sense. And the ending didn't have a proper conclusion, it had more of a "To Be Continued" feel to it. While I realise that was intentional, and that the movie was mostly about the characters, I still don't like it.

I also found that by the end of the Movie I actually saw Christopher, the alien, as the protagonist.

[pArkEr]

You're supposed to, I think. And no, this was the only ship that landed on Earth, hence the hysteria.

[ioiiooio]

the drones are 'conscripted' by being turned into prawns by the same ooze that made Wikkus a prawn, as for why Christopher is so smart (or more importantly, his son) - Bloemkamp said that the race the prawn is will, when they lose their leaders, give birth to a new caste of leaders as a means for survival. Bloemkamp also said that a disease killed off the leaders of that particular 'pod' (the mothership hovering over JHB is just a small pod detached from the main mothership which was en route somewhere else) which is why the pod floated to the nearest habitable planet, Earth

Ahh, right, I somehow got it mixed up. There's more info on page 8 of this thread if anyones interested.

Onona and Miktar kinda disagreed on the protagonist thing. Although I think the key to my statement is that it was only near the end that I saw Christpher as the protagonist, whereas in the beginning I thought it was all about Wikus.

[Badger]

If anyone is interested, this is what the current film was based on:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ1vHRs_EOs


Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alive_in_Joburg


Actually there is another former influence

> wether he knows it or not, all residents at Jo Berg have been invaded by these (only found there) :


they even squirt black inky stuff.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parktown_prawn (some prawns have espcaed and now found in small numbers in other places).


District 9 is reel.

[Stalker 103]

I saw District 9 Recently and have to say: This is the best South African Movie EVAR. Seriously, it's much better than those horrible Afrikaans Movies like Bakgaat, Poena is Koning or whatever. But I can't believe District 9 was shown around the world. But I think it's mostly because of Peter Jackson. I especially like the Mech part where he has to fight the F!#%ing MNU. Would suggest it to those who like Science Fiction Movies.

EDIT: Okay I might sound a bot Bias over here but It is called Freedom of Speech.

[Graal]

Uhm, it's not really a South African movie, it just plays off in Africa. The director was born here, but emigrated years ago. I don't really find it hard to believe it's an international film if Peter Jackson helped the director.

[Stalker 103]

Uhm, it's not really a South African movie, it just plays off in Africa. The director was born here, but emigrated years ago. I don't really find it hard to believe it's an international film if Peter Jackson helped the director.

Oh, sorry. I didn't know that. My bad.

[G8crasha]

I loved this movie. Even though Peter Jackson was key in the movie's production, it was as South African as you get, and it proves that we have the ability to produce quality.

[Sheneal]

I must say, its not bad for South Africa, the movies normal made here are bad.

[Miktar]

I must say, its not bad for South Africa, the movies normal made here are bad.

That's because they're made by South Africans, whereas, as was said before, District 9 kinda wasn't.

[--Vamp--]

i have to say that wikus is a legend.
he may have been a spineless idiot for a while, but when he finally used his weaponry and giant robot
he became the biggest South African action hero EVER.

[dislekcia]

Why do people keep calling the setting of the film a plot hole? According to wikipedia:


A plot hole, or plothole, is a gap or inconsistency in a storyline that goes against the flow of logic established by the story's plot, or constitutes a blatant omission of relevant information regarding the plot. These include such things as unlikely behaviour or actions of characters, illogical or impossible events, events happening for no apparent reason, or statements/events that contradict earlier events in the storyline.

I found the events in the film to be amazingly coherent: They all tie in perfectly with what the film has told/shown us. Yes, people have questions about the film's setting assumptions, but those questions are not ones of "why did this character completely go against everything we understand about them?". Instead people ask questions of the setting itself, which is the whole point of sci-fi.

If Christopher hadn't recognised the effects of the fluid on Wikus it would have been a plot-hole. Because he has been collecting it, he should know exactly what it does.

Christopher's kid's intelligence points towards the Prawns intelligence rising, but only in a few individuals! Christopher himself is shown as isolated and alone compared to the rest of the Prawns and their behavior. The "why" of that is a question of the setting, not a lack of coherence in the movie itself.

If Kobus has suddenly had a change of heart and let Wikus go for some bull**** honor reason, that would be a genuine plot hole.