Great Movie

Fun ride; decent film.

An extraordinary move in every respect.

One of the most intelligent sci-fi/action movies of the decade, this is a fantastic first film from Blomkamp. I expect further greatness from him in the future. The themes covered here as wide and expansive, giving the viewer much to chew on and is a shinning example of how science fiction properly covers so many different topics and ideas that at times drama and satire either fail to cover, or are afraid to cover.

Great job by the director. Fun characters, and just enough Peter Jackson influence to make you get queasy at a few points. Super fun movie!

How sad indeed that the world forgot about this film the second Avatar filled the streets with their 6-months-before-kick-off-posters: this has, in my opinion, just as beautiful images, a much more exciting plotline and most importantly: it succeeds in drawing on of 2009's most complex characters, ranging from desperate and nerve-wrecked to humorous and optimistic. It's a faboulous performance from Brody, and the character development is acceptable, given the premises. Entertainment at its best!

Weak, Alien/Racism plot, predictable sequences, and flat caricatures, all filmed documentary style which somehow makes it award-worthy.

A thoughtful movie set in action mode.

Outstanding idea. The first half is especially exhilarating. Marred only by some flaws in the writing (plot holes, snatches of annoyingly stilted dialogue) and a second half that loses the exciting cinema verité style (used quite differently, but to more consistent effect, in this film's recent cousin, Children of Men) and becomes a fairly dull, typical action flick.

Brilliant effects, especially the aliens, but the plot itself reminded me too much of storyline of Bad Taste (extented with big, big money). Lately horror/scifi scene is filled with handhold docufiction that I actually hate. The alien technology was also nicely produced, except the robot which was clumsy animation. And I did not like the humour they put into it. Comedy is a difficult field.

The documentary-like style makes this the most effective melding of sci-fi and reality that I have ever seen in the genre. The scale and ambition are huge, especially for an African film. And it pulls it off, with not one famous star. It also bravely alludes to some of the biggest problems South Africa has faced and continues to face, like racism, oppression, violence and AIDS. The film holds up a mirror to human civilisation. And at the same time, it's a sci-fi geek's wet dream in terms of FX!

This movie loses 10 points for south african accents (i hate their accents)

A little slow in some spots, this nearly instantly engrossing sci-fi flick takes you on a new approach to a "first contact" film. A combination documentary, infomercial, and narrative piece, District 9 is complex without being trite and over the top. Pulse-pounding in a lot of spots and somewhat of a nailbiter, this is an explosive film that must be seen to be believed. If you like aliens, futuristic yarns, or intellectual, thought provoking cinema, this one's for you.

A rare quality mainstream sci-fi flick, and incredibly impressive as a debut film. Director Neill Blomkamp seemlessly mixes CG environments and characters with a layered story.

A first rate sci-fi that, although fairly predictable, is still quite watchable. Unfortunately it loses points for the cliche "Human's are sacks of crap" angle so popular in many recent sci-fi movies.

The awful documentary style steez ruined it for me and it remains the only film I have ever left before the end.

great apartheid satire

District 9 had all the makings of an amazing film, but it took a disappointing turn when it became a run-of-the-mill action flick.

A really effective and affective sci-fi piece and blunt social commentary... sometimes too blunt. The film's three acts seem pretty disjointed from each other, like each a different genre, but you are intrigued and enjoying almost every minute of it. The CGI is excellent, and the violence/gore surprisingly refreshing. Not perfect, but really, really good. (The plot and action in the third act is really formulaic, but fun to see unfold.)

Great lead performance and a good first act that ends in generic action dreck. If it had remained a science fiction film it could have been great.

The first 30 minutes, where the film adheres strictly to a documentary style, is slightly boring. I found myself saying "yes, we all get what you're saying here, move on." All of a sudden the movie shifts, and the documentary style is abruptly and jarringly abandoned. Luckily, at this point alien laser guns and explosions are introduced, which promptly re-captivated my interest. As with many science fiction movies, the ideas introduced here are much more interesting than the film itself.