District 9

When I saw the wide selection of sci-fi films coming up this year (District 9, Avatar, 9, etc) I rolled my eyes and had first thoughts of a blockbuster apocalypse coming soon (especially after I saw the rising popularity of the latest Tarantino flick). But nevertheless, I rolled my sleeves high up as we say in here, in the Czech lands and gave it a shot.

What a great surprise it was though! A refreshing breeze of fresh air, creativity, beautiful camera, intelligent combination of genres! All that just grabbed me within the first minutes and I held on right till the end. Wow.

Shot in a documentary/news report/home camera style, it never lets you off the hook and always has your eyes on the screen in expectation of what happens next.

The story follows Wikus van der Merwe (does this name have any significance whatsoever I wonder?) leading a team that carries out a forced relocation of alien refuge camp in Johannesburg called District 9. The aliens, nicknamed "The Prawns" indeed resemble the sea animals, love cat food, and don't look like much at first.

When exposed to an unknown gas/liquid found in one of the prawns homes, Wikus finds himself closer to the aliens than he'd ever like to be and discovers himself doing things that he'd never do.

The simple story gives just the right amount of information not to spoil the experience and viewing pleasure of the high-tech sci-fi technology and leaves just the right room for the study of the alien species, which of course are one of the main things that keep your eyes glued to the screen, only to still leave enough space for the in and out transformation of Wikus from zero to hero.

Great entertainment, real pleasure to watch, and offers some food for thought as well when it's location and treatment of the "prawns" is clearly referring to Apartheid.

9 out of 10.