There are two ways to look at why District 9 is a bad movie. The first and slightly unfair way is in relation to the previous work of director Neill Blomkamp. His first major short Alive in Joburg (2005) on which the film is based, was a deep exploration of race/class relations and filming techniques. Outside of Blomkamp’s stellar CG workings (making everything look more realistic and seamless than most high budget films I’ve seen), the film operated on a deeper level which is apparent in some of his other work. Like Tempbot (2006), Blomkamp non-reality based characters (robots and aliens) serve as proxies for discussing elements of the human condition and modern dilemmas. In Alive in Joburg it was the treatment of refugees and the horrible conditions of South African apartheid. In Tempbot it was a very quaint discussion of workplace futility and awkward love. In District 9 it’s nothing. All hopes of a substantial discussion outside of aliens and guns is lost as soon as the film moves away from its documentary style and instead follows a single unlikable character for the rest of the film. The native South African population from the outset is not shown as victims of their environment or oppressive government; instead they are lowly, dirty drug lords, apparently the reasoning for the corruption of their newly acquainted alien counterparts. Yes the aliens are supposed to be symbolic of the maltreated population of South Africa, but the film quickly explains that they are the way they are because they lack higher brain activity, any sense of leadership and are violent scavengers. Like real people South Africans right? No. Like all the other characters in this film, everything is very shallow and poorly executed. Hyperbolic but without relevance.
This brings me to the second reason why this is a bad movie. Looking at it as a summer action film (because a spaceship doesn’t make it sci-fi), outside of the expectations of his previous work, the film is just weak. The plot is very rushed and poorly focused. The initially silly and quirky but very quickly dull and unlikable protagonist Wikus Van De Merwe, leads us on a very elementary progression through tragic fall and pointless salvation. He’s still a dick at the end, but he saved one alien so now we should like him. All the other characters aren’t much better, from the evil evil white corporate leaders of MNU (multinational untied, which alone is chuckle worthy), to the evil evil muscle man henchman who just won’t die, until he gets his just deserts. And don’t even get me started on the wife. All the characters are simple and obvious. No higher workings here.
Science Fiction has never been about cool gadgets or creatures. That’s a nice side dish that comes with the great meal. The real meat of what makes sci-fi great is the use of fantastical fiction to discuss relevant topics. From TNG to Blade Runner (1982), the elements that make these sci-fi classics great are the characters and their stories. Yes the space age tech and cyberpunk is what draws you in, but the compelling ideas and character at work are what keep you there. In District 9 the sci-fi elements are all stripped away in favor of cool guns and rehashed action. The one possible positive point here is that Blomkamp’ s style shines through the mess with his clever weapon and vehicle design. But his image of future corporate technology is swept aside by a character whose main dialogue is “fuck”, and aliens with no characteristics what so ever. If the film focused on the aliens, their lives on earth, their lives before, some method and reason behind their displacement, the mother ship, their struggle and fall, we could have had an interesting movie. Instead it’s all about one very unlikable character paired up with a single alien who for some reason is nothing like every other character we’ve met. Why? Just because that’s what the story needed, stock intelligent scientist alien trying to save his race.
That said the film does start out on a good leg. The opening ten minutes are very well put together and executed, feeling very similar to the original short. Had the whole film been like the first and last 10 minutes (fully keeping with the documentary style instead of just switching to camera filters randomly), we would have had an excellent movie which did more than your basic summer hit. Instead we get a film which promises more but does less. The point ultimately falls flat on its ass in favor of explosions and 10 seconds or less shots to keep the action going.
District 9 could have shown us something special about the power of film, to illuminate and discuss difficult topics. Instead it shows us how a budget can ruin a director’s vision. Thank you very much Peter Jackson for bringing light to this talented director. Here’s hoping we get more from Neill Blomkamp, with a little more style and a little less trivialness.
District 9 is currently playing in theaters across Toronto. If you like explosions and cool looking guns then check it out. If not I recommend the following as good sci-fi.
Moon (2009)
Hopefully still in theaters, moon is a refreshingly simple but brilliant low budget film showcasing actor Sam Rockwell and first time director Duncan Jones. The film explores themes of identity and purpose all wrapped up with interesting ideas of isolation and human/robot relations. Definitely a see for sci-fi fans.
Solaris (2002)
One of the few remakes I really enjoyed. While not fully embracing Tarkovsky’s visions, Soderbergh’s re-imagining applies his style beautifully to the initial dilemma of death, nostalgia and love in space. Though some tote this as a chick-flick, I think its more than bearable and very eye catching.
Sunshine (2007)
Another space sci-fi film, but a great one at that. It’s another one of the reasons that I think Danny Boyle is still a great filmmakers (in spite of Slumdog Millionaire). Effective style, edge of your seat confrontations and Cillian Murphy (*drools a little*). Good movie all around.
Click here for the original short Alive in Joburg (2005) and here for another short Tempbot (2006)
(5.5/10)
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