X
- 2009
- R
- Sony Pictures Releasing
- 1 h 52 m
- 2009
- R
- Sony Pictures Releasing
- 1 h 52 m
Summary Over twenty years ago, aliens made first contact with Earth. Humans waited for the hostile attack, or the giant advances in technology. Neither came. Instead, the aliens were refugees, the last survivors of their home world. The creatures were set up in a makeshift home in South Africa’s District 9 as the world’s nations argued over what...
Directed By: Neill Blomkamp
Written By: Terri Tatchell, Neill Blomkamp
- 2009
- R
- Sony Pictures Releasing
- 1 h 52 m
- 2009
- R
- Sony Pictures Releasing
- 1 h 52 m
District 9
8.3
Where to Watch
Summary Over twenty years ago, aliens made first contact with Earth. Humans waited for the hostile attack, or the giant advances in technology. Neither came. Instead, the aliens were refugees, the last survivors of their home world. The creatures were set up in a makeshift home in South Africa’s District 9 as the world’s nations argued over what...
Directed By: Neill Blomkamp
Written By: Terri Tatchell, Neill Blomkamp
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 36 Critic Reviews
81
83% Positive
30 Reviews
30 Reviews
17% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 36 Critic Reviews
81
83% Positive
30 Reviews
30 Reviews
17% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
To his credit, however, the often-playful Blomkamp never bludgeons his audience with any specific message. He's too busy letting 'er rip with his edge-of-your-seat, and unapologetically violent, sci-fi adventure.
The humanity of District 9 adds another dimension to this multilayered, rewarding work -- one of the best of the summer, and undoubtedly the most inventive from the multiplex this year.
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 823 User Ratings
8.3
88% Positive
724 Ratings
724 Ratings
9% Mixed
72 Ratings
72 Ratings
3% Negative
27 Ratings
27 Ratings
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 823 User Ratings
8.3
88% Positive
724 Ratings
724 Ratings
9% Mixed
72 Ratings
72 Ratings
3% Negative
27 Ratings
27 Ratings
Blomkamp and his entire cast and crew have created an instant genre classic that transcends the self-limiting ghetto implied by the term "science fiction" and instead, like precursors such as Robert Wise's "The Day the Earth Stood Still," engages not only the mind but the heart as well. It's magnificent.
Anyone who watches District 9 and doesn't think of Apartheid, Nazis, and Josef Mengele needs to spend some time reading a few history books.
A memorable, monstrous fable that's consistently gripping.
There is a lot of shield-your-eyes ickiness in District 9, a lot of violence and gore. What there is not a lot of, however, is humanity - even in the film's depiction of the inhumanity humans are capable of.
It's a bad joke that District 9 will be hailed for its "originality."
The Best Sci-Fi Movie of All Time. Even now in 2022 I still recommend this movie to my friend that haven't watch it.
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For me District 9 is neither a masterpiece or a bad movie, instead it is an interesting but not entirely successful kind of movie.
For a low budget movie, District 9 does look excellent. The cinematography, editing and effects are very, very good, and I did accept the aliens appearance wise. The soundtrack and sound also create a sense of foreboding and genuine atmosphere, the concept is amazing and the film does start off brilliantly. The acting overall by a largely unknown cast is good, as is the direction, and the lead characters are likable.
What didn't impress me so much, is that while District 9 does have heart, that I could see from how it was made and the enthusiasm of the actors and director, I wasn't entirely involved. As I've said, the film starts off with no problem, but the final third with plot points that were either rushed and underdeveloped or silly or clichéd wasn't so good. The story doesn't quite live up to the concept for me, it was intriguing and thoughtfully handled but thin, the support characters aren't as well-thought out or as likable as the leads, the dialogue has some sketchiness that is particularly evident in the slower parts and final third and the pace does get sluggish sometimes.
Overall, I did like it and was intrigued by it, but sorry it isn't a movie I would see again in a hurry. 6/10 Bethany Cox
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District 9 is more of a 6.
The movie is entertaining, but with very little substance. The plot is good and the acting is fine, but there is far too much unexplained to take it seriously. No real answers are given as to why the aliens or "prawns" came to earth or why Africa was in charge of the situation, or why the aliens didn't use their weapons to kill all of us. The movie is thought provoking and successful on many levels, but the plot relies to heavily on a single character, and leaves to much unanswered.
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Overall, kind of a dumb movie. Wasn't exciting.. wasn't compelling. Had good special effects, but all movies do nowadays. I wasn't impressed, but it was unlike any other movie I've seen.
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Satire and other allegorical pieces of fiction have a tricky job to do: They must offer commentary on something that we immediately recognize in our world, while creating an interesting enough world for those who are unable to recognize the subject of commentary. It is here where District 9 fails. For despite the powerful images one can associate with apartheid, the absence of the allegory leaves a confused, poorly-plotted, and (let's face it) trite human story. And then it closes itself by shooting everything up.
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Production Company
TriStar Pictures,
Block / Hanson,
WingNut Films,
Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC),
Covert Media,
Department of Trade and Industry of South Africa,
District 9,
Key Creatives,
Majority Entertainment,
New Zealand Post Digital and Visual Effects Grant,
Province of British Columbia Production Services Tax Credit,
QED International
Release Date Aug 14, 2009
Duration 1 h 52 m
Rating R
Tagline You are not welcome here.
Website
http://www.d-9.com/
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 4 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
Online Film & Television Association
• 3 Wins & 13 Nominations
