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SEP 8, 2009
'District 9' FILM
'District 9'

I don't blame you for not watching District 9 yet. You probably heard it described as social commentary about apartheid thinly disguised as science fiction. While the movie is set in Johannesburg, it's not a heavy-handed lecture about race and inequality. It's some of the smartest, most compelling sci-fi put to film this year. The special effects—especially a climactic battle between a giant robot and a battalion of ruthless, alien-hating soldiers—surpass even this year's Star Trek for sheer awesomeness. Don't watch it for social justice; watch it because it fucking kicks ass. (See Movie Times: thestranger.com/film.) by It's Paul Constant's Birthday, Everybody!!!

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1
This is true.
Posted by MEC on September 8, 2009 at 11:05 AM · Report
undead ayn rand 2
"You probably heard it described as social commentary about apartheid thinly disguised as science fiction."

While it technically is, it's well thought out, smart, funny, and not preachy.
Posted by undead ayn rand on September 8, 2009 at 11:25 AM · Report
gloomy gus 3
It was a witty mix of the hot-button plot points, editing styles and musical tropes from every decent action, sci-fi and xenophobia film over the last couple decades. Though not one decent role for a woman. All-male all the time onscreen, epitomized by the veiny muscle queen army baddies.
Posted by gloomy gus on September 8, 2009 at 11:28 AM · Report
bearseatbeats 4
Save the prawns!
Posted by bearseatbeats on September 8, 2009 at 11:29 AM · Report
stephanie says 5
Best movie I have seen this year. Hands down.
Posted by stephanie says on September 8, 2009 at 12:04 PM · Report
reverend dr dj riz 6
i tried hard to get lost in the special effects, but the race commentary won out and i was depressed for two days.. shit was bleaker than 'children of men '. but pretty damng excellent, this one and 'moon' rekindled my excitement for the genre.
Posted by reverend dr dj riz on September 8, 2009 at 12:05 PM · Report
7
Hyper violent (guns guns guns) and conceptually violent (the flamethrower-to-the-nursery scene almost had me walking out), but really thought provoking, and not your average scifi plot at all. The Other is always foreign, disgusting, dirty -- so let's cast them as crustaceans. Brilliant!
Posted by Dana in Philly on September 8, 2009 at 1:21 PM · Report
Kat 8
@6: Actually, Children of Men is what ruined District 9 for me. Its the same movie, but a lot uglier, darker, and more openly damning of what's going on. District 9 -did- have some well-composed shots taken directly from old apartheid footage though, with the characters swapped out.
Posted by Kat http://www.utopiatenation.com/blog on September 8, 2009 at 2:06 PM · Report
Sargon Bighorn 9
I found the movie silly. And they sure hate on the Nigerians. The main character is a paper pushing desk sitter asked to move aliens. This paper pusher is a total idiot. He does not take precautions and thinks everything is a joke and ha ha look at this and ha ha fellas look at that. That was NOT the way Whites treated Blacks in S.F. at all. It was never a joke.
Posted by Sargon Bighorn on September 8, 2009 at 2:33 PM · Report
Sir Learnsalot 10
@8

Children of Men was definitely the superior film, but I still enjoyed District 9. I'm with you on that fact.
Posted by Sir Learnsalot http://ubiquitousthey.com on September 8, 2009 at 2:52 PM · Report
11
ending apartheid sure worked out great

SA = #1 murder and rape rate in the world in only about 10 short years

death
of
johannesburg
.
blogspot
.
com
Posted by Death of Johannesburg on September 8, 2009 at 3:06 PM · Report

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