District 9

Science fiction is, for me, all about the world that is created. More often than not it is the vision as a whole, rather than the plot, that sticks - and what a world Blomkamp creates here! Nevermind the allegory, this is about faultlessly realized aliens and mindblowingly cool weaponry. It's pure fun and, for once, a mockumentary framing device works very well, meshing seamlessly with the mindless action. Oh, and Copley does a great job, too, as the weird but loveable Wikus.

District 9 is the most propitiously first-rate and encouragingly sensible and prosperous sci-fi film of the summer. Not only is it a perspicacious commentary on humanity and other such global themes, but on its own as a regular and standard film it is unstoppable. The imagery is vibrant and energetically glowing in quality, and the acting is top-notch. The biggest sleeper triumph ever, and hopefully it brings overwhelming exposure to Blomkamp. He has all the talent in the world loaded into him.

It boggles the mind how a movie made for $30 million can produce what many gigantic blockbusting titles fail to achieve. The acting was spot on, writing was gripping, and the action tight. We need to stay away from big studios more often apparently. Oh, and someone is kicking themselves for not giving this guy a chance on Halo, actually they likely lost thier job.

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!

Blomkamp's masterful merging of sci-fi and action makes District 9 one of the finest sci-fi films for the last 20 years or so. The film feels fresh and original and the location of Johannesberg is inspirational and makes for a wonderful change rather than seeing New York or some such other American city in the shit! The script is good and the plot engaging and thought provoking, bar a few minor holes. Copley is simply fantastic as the films lead and the "Prawns" are works of art. Excellent.