District 9

[HunterKiller_]

Latest trailer:
VjihaK7HfGs

I'm pretty excited :anime: It's been way too long since a good alien film.

[Dorkthrone]

I'm looking forward to it.

[FightingSeraph]

Looks interesting.

[Hookswords]

I'm really excited for this flick. Seems a lot of us are. I think this is the third thread for this movie. The new trailer gives a little more to the story. Looks like not only did the aliens get a redesign, but there biosuits did too. Interesting.

[Straight Edge Ryan]

it's not a movie, it's a documentary from the future

[fionkell]

Saw it today. This is a good film. Does make me wonder what HALO could have been like if Blomkamp and Jackson had ended up making that film.

If you're not into the shaky-camerawork style of filming, probably best steer clear since there's a fair few jittery sequences (I have no problem with it heh). What I really liked was the tendency of the film to not linger too much on a revealed plot point, or overdetail that reveal - ie. shoving it in the viewer's face and keeping it there - and waste plot time. Emphasis is on story over SFX shinies, though of course they are there too :)
Just the world setting that they have created and what is shown of society's attitudes in the opening half of the film is well thought-out and presented; again, not over-detailed, less in often more and in this case, with the 'documentary' style of filming used in sequences it works well.

And yeah, got the adrenaline going at the right times. Good film :)

[Carnifex]

damn,now you've got me interested...

[Dorkthrone]

Just saw it. Probably up there with Moon and the Hurt Locker as one of the best movies I've seen all year. The way they set up the world in the movie is really great.

[HunterKiller_]

Ditto with Iolar.

Best watch all year for sure.

[Muz]

mind blown....

[CruShTinbOX]

Just got back from seeing this and thought it was amazing. Easily my favorite movie of the year so far. Really refreshing to see such a great sci-fi flick for a change.

[hippl5]

==Spoiler==







Best Scene: The scene with the suit/nigerian gang

[Mock]

Absolutely incredible.

[Jacob Kobryn]

Just amazing, especially for the budget...

[Raoul Duke]

It kicked an ass full of ass, but was there an ending? It felt like the movie just stopped.

[D@niel]

AAaarrg, not fair!!! A South African director and it's set in SA but it hasn't been released hear yet! :(

[Huey Yeng]

Fantastic movie of the year. Is like watching part news, documentary and personal camcoder show.

Really refreshing movie.

[phiq]

Just saw it: friggin' amazing. Michael Bay will be shitting his pants about now, as he realises what this 29 year old first-time filmmaker (Neill Blomkamp) with a 30 million dollar budget can produce. Far out.

Also, it's the winner of the Best Head Explosion Scene in Cinema History.

[Mock]

It kicked an ass full of ass, but was there an ending? It felt like the movie just stopped.

Wait about three years and they'll put out the sequel, I can almost guarantee.

At least I really, really hope so.

[nonie]

It was awesome. In every way. Really really fantastic film and I hope that Hollywood is paying attention - no big stars, fairly low budget, and because of its powerful story it's enjoying huge success. There's real meat to the movie and not as an afterthought - and that's *why* it's so successful.

[smugbug]

Just saw it. Probably up there with Moon and the Hurt Locker as one of the best movies I've seen all year. The way they set up the world in the movie is really great.

Quoted for the absolute truth. With Moon and now this I see a return of damn good sci fi.

[Raoul Duke]

Just saw it: friggin' amazing. Michael Bay will be shitting his pants about now, as he realises what this 29 year old first-time filmmaker (Neill Blomkamp) with a 30 million dollar budget can produce. Far out.

Is 30 million low budget now?

[Dorkthrone]

Is 30 million low budget now?

Considering Michael Bay's movie cost about 200 million to make and still looks like an 8-year-old on Ritalin got a film contract, I'd say it's comparatively very low budget.

[FightingSeraph]

It makes you wonder why the director of this movie didn't do RotF...

[phiq]

Considering Michael Bay's movie cost about 200 million to make and still looks like an 8-year-old on Ritalin got a film contract, I'd say it's comparatively very low budget.

Haha, SO true.

[Psychotime]

Sounds really cool, and I don't even like sci fi.

[Arshes Nei]

Excellent movie, best to come out of the summer.

What I really love are the little viral marketing things done for this movie. The blog is one of my favorites because of the "comments" http://mnuspreadslies.com

You also have the other MNU sites that are fun to play around in.

Also, loved this review http://spill.com/Movie-Reviews/MovieReview.aspx?Name=District+9&VideoId=423766

[Victor B]

Saw the midnight screening earlier and went back with friends to see it Sat. Definitely one of my favorite movies out this year.

[Barts]

so good, best movie ever, the scene with the pig hahahhah classic

[Aaron Death]

Stunning, absolutely stunning~

Best alien movie ever!

[Goog]

I loved this because it was such a fresh cinematic experience. For once in a very long time I couldn't predict the ending halfway through the move.

[Ryan K]

Awsome movie. The end was sad, though.

[Raoul Duke]

Considering Michael Bay's movie cost about 200 million to make and still looks like an 8-year-old on Ritalin got a film contract, I'd say it's comparatively very low budget.

GI Joe and Tranformers are toy commercials, will not be remembered as movies in 10 years. It's not about making a good movie, it's about getting kids excited about the video game, the toy, the underoos and the serial.

Section 9 may have a genuine future in video games, toys, etc., but could be the next Matrix flop if they get cocky.

[Hookswords]

GI Joe and Tranformers are toy commercials, will not be remembered as movies in 10 years. It's not about making a good movie, it's about getting kids excited about the video game, the toy, the underoos and the serial.

Section 9 may have a genuine future in video games, toys, etc., but could be the next Matrix flop if they get cocky.


So....there wont be District 9 underoos? That's bullshit

[Emilcareer]

I wonder where can I find concept art for this movie?

[chriskot]

Saw it two nights ago with a friend. Fantastic movie. The plot and action were unpredictable and relatively believable compared to pretty much every other recent thriller and I was really impressed by Sharlto Copley's acting too. I wouldn't want them to over-sequelize and mess it all up like so many other franchises did, but I think they could pull off a District 10.

[t i m]

Really, really enjoyed this movie. I was definetly surprised with the "twist" and didn't expect it going in to the theater. Without going into detail, for those who haven't seen it, but the story has enormous potential to expand on the first movie, I hope we get a sequel. Go see it, you won't be disappointed.

[AlstonInk]

Far as I can tell, this guy was the lead concept designer for District 9 - Greg Broadmore (http://www.thebattery.co.nz/)
I haven't been able to find out any more than that.

All I'll say is that if you haven't seen this film, go, go and watch it.
I know that there will always be that demographic that just isn't in to this
sort of film, but for everyone else, it's an absolute gem! Makes you wonder
how others out there, (you know who!), even with an almost limitless buget
still manage to take something that has potential for the big screen and just totally FUCK it up!

[Cam Sykes]

yeah it's rad 10 stars, I was pleasantly suprised at just how good it was after my inital thoughts of what it'd be like from the trailer. Definately a classic has been born.
The plot was very believable, I think that's what made the film so grasping. I feel like such a dumbass for seeing transformers 2 becasue If feel I'm supporting a shit film when I bought the ticket. But with this movie I think I'll see it a few more times as gratitude.

[Hookswords]

Saw it last night. Amazing. It wasnt the movie I thought it would be. I really know what I thought it would be, but it was great. Some real interesting undertones too. I'm glad this is getting the credit it deserves. I've watched the old short pretty religiously throughout the years waiting for hollywood to catch up. I remember watching Tetra Vaal shortly after I think episode 1 or 2 came out and wondering why this short from an unknown was way better than anything I was seeing a stormtrooper do. Go see it and enjoy.

[smugbug]

This is really cool. 5 Things You Didn't Know About District 9 (http://io9.com/5341120/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-district-9)

Seriously, this info will make you appreciate the film all that much more.

[Dorkthrone]

This is really cool. 5 Things You Didn't Know About District 9 (http://io9.com/5341120/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-district-9)

Seriously, this info will make you appreciate the film all that much more.

This fact is both really interesting and disturbing at the same time:

As you may know, District 9 was inspired by Neill Blomkamp's short film Alive In Joburg. But what many people don't realize is that he created Alive In Joburg's footage of people being interviewed about aliens, by using real interviews.

I was asking black South Africans about black Nigerians and Zimbabweans. That's actually where the idea came from was there are aliens living in South Africa, I asked "What do you feel about Zimbabwean Africans living here?" And those answers — they weren't actors, those are real answers...

[Jason Ross]

Fantastic movie. The concept artists and modelers kicked some serious ass on this one.

[Spirit]

Dang... I really must see that movie now... when its out near a cinema near me.. I'm SO there! I'm a fan of most movies, sci-fi being one of them. Aaah I'm excited now, a lot of decent films are being released this year, has anyone else noticed that?

[LisandroG]

District 9 was excellent. I expected it to be good since the project was being backed up by Peter Jackson, however it blew away my expectations. Best scifi movie I've seen in recent memory for sure.

[Bill]

Was it better than Star Trek?

[hitnrun]

I really enjoyed D9, and now I'm even happier I saw it because I didnt know all those facts. Judging by the FIRST SAW movie, and this one, sometimes improvisation, and fast filming make for the best movies. Wasn't SAW 1 filmed in 2 weeks?

[Ian Barker]

Will hopefully see this next week... am pretty excited about it. :)

[Jason Rainville]

Was it better than Star Trek?

Even though they're both technically scifi, they're both trying to do very different things. Star Trek was IMO more of a fun experience without being too braindead like transformers, while District 9 was more of a dramatic and deep experience.

[Interceptor]

This movie was amazing. I hope it does'nt get a sequel though. i hope the director just gets to move forward with more original projects. I'd hate to see everything get franchised.

[MrSmith]

phenomenal! i must work for this guy one day. Im so glad i finally got to see a summer movie this year with a fucking brain!

[Extollere]

Quick question. Did Massive Black have their hands on this movie in anyway? It might just be me, but I felt like I kept noticing some similarities in design with the military vehicles and one or two of the weapons, with that of some of the artists at Massive Black. It might just be me though...didn't stay for the credits.

[smugbug]

Quick question. Did Massive Black have their hands on this movie in anyway? It might just be me, but I felt like I kept noticing some similarities in design with the military vehicles and one or two of the weapons, with that of some of the artists at Massive Black. It might just be me though...didn't stay for the credits.

Neill Blomkamp (director) talks about the making of here:
http://www.vfxworld.com/?atype=articles&id=4032


Neill Blomkamp: The visual effects were broken down into categories that we saw onscreen, like the aliens were done by Image Engine in Vancouver, the mother ship was done predominantly done by Weta Digital, and the drop ship was Weta Digital and then the exo-suit and the little fighting creatures -- the little pets -- were all done by The Embassy. Zoic also did a few minor shots (overflow 2D work). So it was kind of cool for me because each company had its very own thing that it was responsible for doing. But the bulk of the visual effects work went into the aliens. Image Engine worked on the film for quite a while and did really good work.

[Moai]

Great movie! I don't think it was quite the flawless insta-classic that many others have hailed it as, but it was nonetheless gripping, thrilling, and intelligent.

I also hope there's no sequel. There's really no need for it. It told a good, satisfactory story, and the uncertainty of the ending worked well on an artistic level. If a sequel is made, though, the filmmakers had better make sure that it has a legitimate reason to exist. I don't think clarifying the ambiguities that were left over from the first film is a legitimate reason.

[FightingSeraph]

I can credit it for being Intense and well made; but it still wasn't great (especially when compared to Ark or Renaissance).

[Badger_on_a_stick]

I absolutely LOVED the movie! ;)
I hope there will be a follow-up soon..

[Blahm]

i thought it was the best movie I have seen in a few years at least. I know thats not saying much. But it is what it is i guess. Also this would appear to be a product of the canadian film industry by and large, so definatly congrats on that one.

[Dizon]

All I can say is that it was FUCKIN' AWESOME!!! Great ending, too.

The actor, Sharlto Copley co-directed a short film called "Hellweek". It's basically a spoof about digital artist training in Africa.

You can view it here : http://sph3re.tv/download/hellweek

[phiq]

Haha! Nice post Dizon! I was an animation student once, so I understood it! I love how it sent up Michael Bay films :teeth:

[DanielC]

hummm am i the only one who thought the story was a bit too... predictable/deus ex machina -ish .. ?

Was definitely a cool movie to watch, but there's some shortcuts that were way too obvious and clumsy.

Does not fit with alien 1 or 2001 space odyssey imo...

[HugeHarHar]

The first half was really good. Just how they treated the main character.

The second half...was alright. The final fight scene...was kind of silly.

[Farvus]

I agree. The movie was great.

Dizon - Haha. Cool. That's what we got here at Conceptart :D.

[phiq]

hummm am i the only one who thought the story was a bit too... predictable/deus ex machina -ish .. ?

Was definitely a cool movie to watch, but there's some shortcuts that were way too obvious and clumsy.

Does not fit with alien 1 or 2001 space odyssey imo...

Deus ex machina? How so?

[DanielC]

Make a bomb out of an alien cadaver(wtf ?... and by all the chances the wall behind is the parking !) , kicking out the aliens just when they find the holy grail, engine fuel that transforms dna, and the ending was just.... meh, but that's just me.

[BlightedArt]

Just saw it today. I really enjoyed the movie. As far as I can see some of the iffy plot holes etc mentioned here don't really count, there are reasons behind actions taken in the film (dont want to spoil it for readers who haven't gone yet though haha).

A nice action movie with a nice deepness to it. The documentary style of the movie was a great piece of work.

[Bill]

I thought it was a fun little bit of summer fluff. I'm not sure that I get the "depth" of the movie. I understand that the aliens were a reference to actual persecuted groups but don't see how that reference combined with laser gun fights adds up to substanative social commentary. I genuinely think our expectations have been lowered, especially in the CG era.

The interest for me was what was able to be accomplished on the relatively limited budget. The decisions and problem solving for the sake of the budget showed more "brain", I thought, than the story itself.

Nice movie alltogether, IMO.

[Earendil]

I genuinely think our expectations have been lowered, especially in the CG era.

You're right!

I guess it's been that long since I have watched a movie where I was that carried up in what was going on.

[phiq]

Somehow I don't think the writers/director wanted the social/"intellectual" themes to be the focus of the film, and all of this talk about like it was the focus it is not really getting anywhere.

I think the great thing about this film is its originality. This originality stems from the director himself: having grown up through and witnessing the end of the Apartheid era, his love of 80's sci-fi films (Aliens, et al)... it has all pulled together to make one very original film, but also a very personal film (the two go hand in hand).

The film did not cave in to facile special effects and lame dialogue: it was very well established and the characters were well developed before the eventual geek out, which (c'mon!) you have GOT to have in a film such as this (Did anyone here not want that brilliant, imaginative action as part of the climax? Would you have complained if it wasn't there?). At the end of the day, District 9 exceeded my expectations.

[DanielC]

Yeah, let's make all the sound effects in MIDI, cause it isn't the focus of the movie.... haha ;)

[Farvus]

Make a bomb out of an alien cadaver(wtf ?... and by all the chances the wall behind is the parking !) , kicking out the aliens just when they find the holy grail, engine fuel that transforms dna, and the ending was just.... meh, but that's just me.

Not necessarily alien cadaver. They also had alien weapons for testing there.

The parking was most likely there beacause it's very common to put such things in underground of big office building :).

Military didn't know that aliens found the holy grail. Aliens probably wanted to keep it secret because they didn't trust humans.

[DanielC]

We do see the alien sidekick manipulating an alien corpse to make the bomb.

The parking part, well, i've had my dad going to pretty secret places (sandia, nasa, etc) and he never told me it was that easy to get inside laboratories/research labs. Imagine, you park your car, pass a door and that's it ?! Especially for alien research stuff... meh.

And for the liquid, we do see the kid finding it in the dump pile at the beginning of the movie (same day they are kicked)...

Anyway, my point is, action movie = good, well thought out movie=not so good.
Especially when it's compared to the other movies i've previously mentioned...

[mathias92]

Make a bomb out of an alien cadaver(wtf ?... and by all the chances the wall behind is the parking !) , kicking out the aliens just when they find the holy grail, engine fuel that transforms dna, and the ending was just.... meh, but that's just me.

He made the bomb with pieces from his gun..

[shamandalie]

It's better than Transformers 2. :D

[Dorkthrone]

It's better than Transformers 2. :D

Much.

[Clodioz]

Nice weapons on this movie.

[Sofia Alexandra]

I am completely and utterly in love with District 9; the idea and execution in general, and the main character in particular.

[Arshes Nei]

Nice weapons on this movie.

http://cgi.ebay.com/District-9-Arc-Gun-Movie-Props_W0QQitemZ230363044840QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20 090802?IMSfp=TL090802135002r6634

[FightingSeraph]

I have to agree with DanielC and HugeHarHar. I can credit it for being original, intense, and well-made; however, I am not giving it a high score for what the aforementioned have said.

[bluefooted]

Anyone who didn't like this movie doesn't know how to have a good time :P Now I will nitpick some nitpicks.

We do see the alien sidekick manipulating an alien corpse to make the bomb.

Actually, he made the bomb out of a disassembled bomb that was sitting on the table.

The parking part, well, i've had my dad going to pretty secret places (sandia, nasa, etc) and he never told me it was that easy to get inside laboratories/research labs. Imagine, you park your car, pass a door and that's it ?! Especially for alien research stuff... meh.

It wouldn't have been easy for anyone else to get in, but the main character worked there - you can see him putting in the codes to open doors at least two times, plus blowing up armed guards with a kickass alien gun to get through.

And for the liquid, we do see the kid finding it in the dump pile at the beginning of the movie (same day they are kicked)...

Yeah, they collected a teeny bit that day, but to get the total amount they had took 20 years according to Christopher.

[DanielC]

humm... im still sceptical. I'll wait for the dvd to come out and analyze all that again.

I did like the movie, don't get me wrong. I just dont like the idea of making things shiny for no real reason... :/ Children of men did it in a much more subtle, and still entertaining way. (cinema verite in a near, dark sci fi future)

[Dizon]

Finally found out who made the concept art:

http://gregbroadmore.blogspot.com/

http://www.thebattery.co.nz/

He works at Weta. How cool is that?

[Dorkthrone]

Finally found out who made the concept art:

http://gregbroadmore.blogspot.com/

http://www.thebattery.co.nz/

He works at Weta. How cool is that?

I'm really digging this guy's stuff.

[hippl5]

Someone got butthurt. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090919/ap_on_en_mo/af_nigeria_district9)

[bluefooted]

Finally found out who made the concept art:

http://gregbroadmore.blogspot.com/

http://www.thebattery.co.nz/

He works at Weta. How cool is that?

He has some really nice stuff at that blog. Thanks for the link!

[Moai]

Someone got butthurt. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090919/ap_on_en_mo/af_nigeria_district9)

I was half expecting to hear about something like this.

[Hookswords]

Seems kinda funny too since...
As you may know, District 9 was inspired by Neill Blomkamp's short film Alive In Joburg. But what many people don't realize is that he created Alive In Joburg's footage of people being interviewed about aliens, by using real interviews.

I was asking black South Africans about black Nigerians and Zimbabweans. That's actually where the idea came from was there are aliens living in South Africa, I asked "What do you feel about Zimbabwean Africans living here?" And those answers — they weren't actors, those are real answers.

[GriNGo]

All I can say is this: District FUCKING Nine. A classic. Period.

[Hideyoshi]

Easily the thing I enjoyed the most about this film was the enormous transformation (physically but moreover character wise!) of the main protagonist!
Seeing him for the first time I thought this was just a side character... before I realized he was turning into one hell of a badass by the end of the film! :)
Incredibly done!

[ThabisoMhlaba]

One of the best movies of the summer.
Really hit home for me too because I'm zimbabwean I've been to South Africa a lot I've got a lot of family living there as well and the point got across very quickly. It was well illustrated and brilliantly put together, Its awesome if you just want action, its awesome if you want authenticity and great acting, its awesome if you want a unique plot and method of storytelling.
Screw Xenophobia, we're all fucking prawns man.

[Vatsel]

Best sci-fi film in a VERY long while

[CruShTinbOX]

I thought it was a fun little bit of summer fluff. I'm not sure that I get the "depth" of the movie. I understand that the aliens were a reference to actual persecuted groups but don't see how that reference combined with laser gun fights adds up to substanative social commentary.

I read an interview with the director where he was saying he wasn't trying to beat anybody over the head with any social commentary. Obviously it's there, but it's not meant to be substantial. It's just a fun sci-fi flick first and foremost.

And an excellent one.

[tgfx]

An interesting movie...felt more like a documentary on aliens. The camera shook like a motherf#@#...keep that still yo...Overall a good movie.

[Hive_minD]

An interesting movie...felt more like a documentary on aliens. The camera shook like a motherf#@#...keep that still yo...Overall a good movie.

The way the camera was handles was obviously intentional ;)

[Dorkthrone]

For anyone who's interested, some more concept art from the movie's on the WETA site.
Concept Art (http://www.wetanz.com/district9/)

And ImagineFX.