One of the many blockbusters this summer was the science fiction flick, District 9, produced by Peter Jackson and directed by Neill Blomkamp.\nThe basic story revolves around an alien relocation program in a fictionalized version of Cape Town, South Africa during the 1960s and 1970s. In this alternate reality, aliens from outer space land above Johannesburg, South Africa nearly 30 years ago seemingly as a result of a spaceship malfunction. Humans break into the alien ship and put them in a refugee camp called District 9. As time passes, the camp deteriorates into a wretched place where Nigerian terrorists conduct black market operations and aliens live in severe poverty. In short, District 9 becomes a slum. In an effort to ensure the safety of the people of Johannesburg, a government agency is assigned to relocate everyone in District 9 to a new area outside of the city, which is supposedly better.\nDistrict 9 is shot like a documentary, using footage from interviews, news footage and surveillance cameras. This gives the film a more authentic feel, as if this scenario could actually happen. It is a brilliant way to ensure a suspension of disbelief, the very core of what makes a good sci-fi movie.\nThe film centers around the man in charge of this relocation, Wikus van de Merwe, the quintessential "boss's son-in-law." He has great intentions, but he is a figurehead and not very competent. Blomkamp does a good job of making the viewer feel uneasy about his power and his efforts. His mishaps and attempts to look empowered make the viewer cringe knowing that there are actual people similar to Wikus with just as much - if not more - influence. While seeming aloof at times, he also is portrayed as a family man who cares very much about his wife.\nWhat adds even more to the quality of District 9 - beyond aliens and explosions, of course - is the film's examination of psychology. The aliens are just as smart as, if not smarter than, humans and communicate with a language of strange clicks. They also are stronger and taller than most humans. But they get bossed around and profiled like any other group of people from the projects. The aliens, while big and strong, have been reduced to hoodlums, scrounging for food and dealing with Nigerian mobsters. Quite frankly, this movie probably could have been a candidate for best picture if the refugees were humans. But at the same time, alien refugees from outer space with badass weapon technology are just cooler.\nOverall, I thought the movie was pretty entertaining. The story is intriguing for a sci-fi flick, and the viewer can easily grasp the action without being barraged with tech speak, the peril of other sci-fi media. Having the story take place in South Africa is refreshing as well. If the plot had taken place in New York or Paris, I would have been far less interested because I already have seen all types of stuff blow up in those places before. It is about time Africa has some cool outer space stuff happen there.\nFor a summer blockbuster, District 9 is a sure-fire hit. The story is gripping and the main character is curiously flawed. The movie is definitely worth a matinee. Plus, there are a lot of really cool explosions. And that is truly what summer should be about: really cool special effects and alien hoodlums.
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