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District 9 Is 'Magnificent Trash'

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 14, 2009 6:17 AM CDT

(Newser) – The aliens are despised outsiders stranded in post-apartheid South Africa in District 9, a film whose mix of social commentary and blood-spattered B-movie standards makes it the sci-fi movie of the year, say critics.

Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: The movie is "a scathing social satire hidden inside a terrific action thriller teeming with gross aliens and regrettable inter-species conflict. And it's a blast."

Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle: Producer Peter Jackson's protegé Neill Blomkamp has made "the most original and entertaining sci-fi film in ages."
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: "Socked in with the whiplash action and over-the-top gore is a story that's shockingly funny, clever, and emotionally resonant. District 9 is that rarest kind of film, magnificent trash."

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

From left to right, Sharlto Copley, Mandla Gaduka and Kenneth Nkosi are seen in a scene from "District 9." (AP Photo/Sony Pictures)

One of the aliens from"District 9". (AP Photo/Sony Pictures)

Sharlto Copley, center, is seen in a scene from "District 9". (AP Photo/Sony Pictures,David Bloomer)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 7 comments

robertmcguire

Feb 21, 2010 3:42 AM CST

District 9 is one of the best movies in 2009 I've seen. But the movie was a low budget movie so some of the violence in it was a little fake but it was still cool looking. The movie was well filmed how it was filmed as if it was a documentary then turns into an awesome and gory movie. Something else I like about District 9 is it doesn't take place in an overrated city like Chicago, New York, or L.A. Instead it took place in Johanesberg, South Africa. Overall I'd give it an A-. If you can't stand constant swearing and violence don't see this movie. I think you would have to have to be 18 and up to see this movie.

bewilderbeast

Aug 22, 2009 11:17 AM CDT

Ah, a Hollywood fan. Where the movie has a good, easily-understood ending. Good movies don't, because life doesn't. In Hollywood, the Iraq war ended on an aircraft carrier with some prick in a fake airman's suit saying, what was it? "Illusion Accomplished", was it?

TheInterested

Aug 15, 2009 8:46 AM CDT

Saw this movie last night. I have high standards and this movie met them. This is a fantastic movie that subtly touches on relevant social issues without being preachy. It also has an action component that never comes off as mindless or stupid. It's damn funny too. This "magnificent trash" comment I don't agree with though--the writer compares it to B-movies. There's way more emotion, conflict, and humanity in this film than anything I've seen in a while-- including, you know, movies that are supposed to take place in reality.

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Peter Jackson • movie review • aliens • science fiction • Jay-ZTV • district9 • Neill Blomkamp

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