District 9

Before it descends into a “shit goes boom real pretty!” action film, District 9 is a glorious return to brainy science-fiction. The continuing cutaways to talking heads and news footage only enhances the viewing experience. How? They ground the aliens in a real world setting, in a real world plot. Complete with allusions to the awkward and fear-based racial tensions that mark just about every nation. This is grand summer entertainment that doesn’t come around often enough.

The special effects and makeup are fantastic. Top notch really. More proof that huge budgets don’t always equal better production values. This film was made on the near cheap ($30 million isn’t much for a film of this scope) but it looks three times as expensive, if not more. The shot towards the end where Wikus looks up and half of his face is starting to turn is oddly beautiful. The seamless blend of alien and human in his face deserves the Oscar nomination, if not win, for visual effects. Or is that makeup?

Speaking of Wikus, the performance of Sharlto Copley is an extraordinary thing. At some point I just bought what he was selling. His performance was so immersed and lived-in that you can’t help but feel for him by the very end. He carries the film and helps you to overlook the flaws which creep up towards the end. As mentioned above, at the very end of the film does show one too many people exploding upon impact from alien technology, but this minute flaw can’t ruin the film. This is quite possibly the best summer film that I’ve seen in a very long time.