by MouthForWar » Fri Aug 14, 2009 7:22 pm
JUST got back. I have quite a few thoughts on this one.
This is a GOOD, ORIGINAL Sci Fi film, the type we need more of. There is also a LOT of horror elements mixed in, which I didn't expect. Without getting too into the plot, think The Fly meets Alien Nation and you'll pretty much have it down.
BUUUUUUUUUUT
It didn't NEARLY live up to the MASSIVE hype from the online geek community. Its a pretty gripping movie, but its definitely flawed in a lot of areas. My BIGGEST complaint is exactly the one I thought I'd have... the flow of the movie simply sucks. I'm not trying to bash the movie or anything, I thought it was a VERY good film. But its all over the "OH GODZILLA! WHAT TERRIBLE LANGUAGE!" place when it comes to pacing and tone. Also, another fear of mine kind of half came true and that is that the last act becomes a bit generic with action movie cliches (but not nearly as bad as I was fearing). The last act is really predictable though, which annoyed me. But I can forgive these because this is actually a really original film by a first time director who wrote, directed and produced his own vision and it turned out pretty good. Even though District 9 isn't perfect, this Blomkamp guy is definitely a name to look for in the future. There were also some glaring logic gaps in the story, some of which REALLY distracted me at times.
That said, even though it wasn't the mind blowing experience I thought it would be, it really is a damn good movie and I support it and encourage everyone to see it. This is the kind of movie we could use more of.
I'd probably go ahead and give it a 3.5/5... maybe a 4 if I'm feeling really generous (the movie really does border on mediocrity at times, especially the predictable final act). Don't go in expecting this years Dark Knight and you should come out a happy camper.
A good time at the movies and along with Drag Me To Hell and Public Enemies, its really the only movie I've REALLY liked this year and would consider buying.
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