It all started, when I walked into the local video shop on a typically rainy and miserable afternoon in KZN. Desperately looking for a movie that a: I haven’t seen before b: will keep me occupied and interested for a whole two hours. So I scanned the shelves and came across District 9, now I had heard somewhere down the line that it was quite a good movie and if had the chance I should watch it, so thinking, ok, an Independence Day type Sci-Fi could be entertaining, I took it home.

I had no idea what I was in for-

District 9 is a story about aliens who make contact with Earth and the relationships with humans and society. The creatures were set up in a makeshift home in South Africa’s District 9. Control over the aliens has been contracted out to Multi-National United (MNU), a private company uninterested in the aliens’ welfare. Their sole interest, alien technology and weapons. Weapon research would mean huge profits for the company. Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley) is placed in charge of the filed operation to evict, remove, and place the aliens in a new holding facility. Conflict and tension threaten the operation as agents move in.

I won’t tell you anymore, you have to see for yourself. The gritty tongue in cheek humour of a stereotypical Afrikaans south African character in the form of Wikus had me in stitches at times and kringing in others. With a mix of brilliant special effects, combined with a totally unique play on your typical Sci-Fi plot as well as inspirational acting sequences from our local talent pool, all rolled up into a comedy thriller with a distinct South African flavour, makes this one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time. It doesn’t surprise me that District 9 has been nominated for 7 BAFTA awards.

Warning: This movie is not for the faint of heart, leave your preconceptions at the door, sit back and enjoy the ride.