JIM Reviews film “DISTRICT 9” -- A Multi-Layered, Action-Filled View of a Fearful New World =

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JIM got a special Entry to “DISTRICT 9” — A Multi-Layered, Action-Filled View of a Fearful New World =

Rating: 9 of 10 stars.

Rather than starting with a slow build-up of the story, this begins with a very QUICKLY-moving Documentary-style intro into the tale of an Alien “Prawn”-like society that suddenly appears in Johannesburg, South Africa. Irony abounds as those who once suffered under Apartheid are often involved in subjugating (& at times ripping off & selling weapons to) the new arrivals, who are herded into a depressing shantytown. Wikus (SHARLTO COPELY) is the jaunty leader of the effort to evict the aliens into another less “noticeable” area— & little by little, he starts to get disillusioned with the secretive behind-the scenes efforts of powerful politicians & the military-industrial complex to manage the effort for their own special agendas. He also starts to get a special understanding of the alien society & starts being treated as both super-valuable and an enemy by those in authority. There are finely-staged action scenes & special effects (strikingly done by Peter Jackson’s Weta group), fascinating inter-species interplay, & a good set-up for a seemingly-likely SEQUEL. An impressive, thought-provoking sci-fi!