District 9

Name: District 9
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Released: August 14, 2009
Duration: 112 min
Rating: 81
Cast: Jason Cope, Sharlto Copley

2009

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 1527 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 1527 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

TriStar Pictures | Release Date: August 14, 2009 | R

Starring: Jason Cope, Sharlto Copley

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 toOver 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 to do with them. Now, patience over the alien situation has run out. The tension between the aliens and the humans comes to a head when a human field operative, Wikus van der Merwe, contracts a mysterious virus that begins changing his DNA. Wikus quickly becomes the most hunted man in the world, as well as the most valuable – he is the key to unlocking the secrets of alien technology. Ostracized and friendless, there is only one place left for him to hide: District 9. [Sony Pictures]… Expand

Director: Neill Blomkamp

Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 112 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Amy Biancolli

Every now and then, a film comes along that both defies and compels description. District 9 is one such movie: a science-fiction action vehicle so brilliantly and fully imagined that real life, when it resumes after the credits, arrives with a new sense of dread. Read full review

100

Matthew Sorrento

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. Read full review

Shawn Levy

This is a delicious premise, and Blomkamp, who first played with it in a 2005 short called "Alive in Joburg," has magnified and improved it with ferocious energy, wit and style. Read full review

Peter Travers

This baby has the stuff to end the movie summer on a note of dazzle and distinction. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

A memorable, monstrous fable that's consistently gripping. Read full review

Ty Burr

The last time I felt the sort of outrageously kinetic action-movie high District 9 delivers, it was 1981 and George Miller, Mel Gibson, and "Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior" had just come roaring out of Australia. Read full review

Joanne Kaufman

There's a wonderfully sly, farcical verve to these early moments, but it dissipates when the script, with its strains of "E.T." and "The Fly," moves into high sci-fi gear. Read full review

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User Reviews

GaryH

Aug 23, 2009

It's a really good way to end this summer (almost) full of disappointments.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ThomasF

Feb 28, 2010

Watched it twice in a row. Yeah, it's that good.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DeGreZet

Sep 13, 2011

Next Peter Jackson's movie and next amazing movie!
This movie is other than all Action, Sci-Fi movies. It holds in tension and tells excellent story. Story is the best in this movie but all is really great. This is ones of my favorites movies and i advice District 9 every Sci-Fi fans.

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

MustisTheCat

Aug 2, 2011

First off, a very original movie. The story here is not so much interesting, as the way it is executed. The viewer stick to the character of Vikus who`s just another yupie guy in pursuit of a career. He is to lead the operation of transporting thousands of aliens. It all goes wrong andFirst off, a very original movie. The story here is not so much interesting, as the way it is executed. The viewer stick to the character of Vikus who`s just another yupie guy in pursuit of a career. He is to lead the operation of transporting thousands of aliens. It all goes wrong and he must fight to survive. In a matter of hours he becomes public enemy number one and has to flee to the alien camp. The aliens are interesting as they posses human like features. They resemble humans in many ways. They are not here to destroy earth or exterminate humans. They are stranded somewhere in the universe and it happens to be earth. The special effects are exceptionally well done, the music is great and acting is average. A very interesting story showing that aliens from another world don`t always have to be blood-thirsty invaders.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JoeyK.

Aug 17, 2009

A fantastic film that is a whole lot of fun, but I don't think it was without flaws. While I found the majority of the film brilliant and exciting, I felt that the most interesting stuff came from the backstory. I would have enjoyed seeing more of that and less of the main human A fantastic film that is a whole lot of fun, but I don't think it was without flaws. While I found the majority of the film brilliant and exciting, I felt that the most interesting stuff came from the backstory. I would have enjoyed seeing more of that and less of the main human character. I enjoyed following him far less that I think I should have and found him to be despicable, only capable of becoming compassionate at the grimest of moments. Even then, I felt him completely selfish and motivated by his own desires. And his story of transformation was also less than desirable. But just about everything else in the film was fantastic. The aliens are great, both in look and in personality and dimension. The action is great and a whole lot of fun, worth the ticket price alone. And the whole set up and world created here is brilliant. While there is much to be desired, the film creates an emotional ride that is both exciting and interesting.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful

SpunkyMonkey

May 14, 2012

Weird. A very hit and miss film which does more wrong than right, but will be entertaining enough for most to be worth a watch. I'm not a fan of films which are shot in a documentary style, and by far and away the best bits of the film are where it's shot like a normal film. The film treatsWeird. A very hit and miss film which does more wrong than right, but will be entertaining enough for most to be worth a watch. I'm not a fan of films which are shot in a documentary style, and by far and away the best bits of the film are where it's shot like a normal film. The film treats the aliens and characters in general as far too disposable too - you really do just see them as cannon fodder and often find yourself asking 'why don't we just wipe them out?'. There's also massively implausible and unbelievable parts in the plot, which water the entire experience down too. So what makes it worth a watch? Well it can be quite emotionally intense in the odd bit, and the violence + action is done really well, with a good ending scrap. A throw-away film popcorn film which is suited to putting on in the background when you have mates round.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JoeAl

Aug 23, 2009

Worst Sci-Fi movie I have ever seen!! First time ever I walked out of a movie... From alien rights to alien relocation... Damn liberals ruined what could have been a good thing.

0 of 14 users found this helpful

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42	#42 Best Movie of 2009
4	#4 Most Discussed Movie of 2009
14	#14 Most Shared Movie of 2009