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This film was excellent. Yes, action, yes stuff going bang/splat and so forth but for me the brilliance was in the incisive social commentary, about which a book could be written. Despite the simplicity of the plot and the predictable chain of events the attention to detail and documentary filming style with multiple fast-cuts was appealing if sometimes overwhelming.
The weapons implication of metamorphosis was predictable as was the callous disregard for life that MNU subsequently showed but it is still a disturbing metaphor that is all the more powerful because it is entirely plausible. The plot was far from perfect - I winced at the obvious stupidity of Wikus taking a cell-phone when it was certain he'd be tracked by it - but in a high-pressure situation even cool heads make mistakes. But on the aggregate it was pretty enthralling and the quality of cinematography kept my whole attention.
Great cast all round and wonderful to see so many unfamiliar faces though the
two standouts for me were Sharlto Copley and David James who made the rubber meet the road with carbon-steel performances.
The filming style and direction seemed to collapse the wall usually between the viewer and the situation and you were there behind the camera, simply brilliant.
I can't wait to see Blomkamp's Elysium in 2013!
9/10
