Peter Jackson's new sci-fi flick, District 9, has been the talk of the town ever since it was first revealed. It seems everyone I have talked to has wanted to see it, and so have I. I have to admit, and I think I'm going to get a lot of flack for this, that I don't think it's as amazing as everyone else seems to think it is.
Now first of all, I didn't hate it. The metaphor of racial tension and nods to things like the Holocaust and, more recently, the problems in the Middle-East, were pretty compelling and the special effects were fantastic (something I knew Peter Jackson would pull off well). What turned me off was the obvious grabbing for emotions by making the aliens such powerless victims, and the poor acting. Sure, just because the actors aren't big-name ones doesn't mean they can't make a good film. But unfortunately, I think more popular actors would have helped this film immensely. I find it funny that out of everything in this film, I find the acting to be the most unbelievable aspect.
The documentary style of story is a great idea, but I wish it would have been put to better use. The first quarter of the film is unique and haunting. The second and third quarters drop off into some strange, over-emotional realm, and finally, the fourth quarter of the film is an action packed conclusion. So, you can see what's missing here; a well-developed plot.
Again, the special effects are wonderful, but that's simply not enough to save a pretty predictable and bland sci-fi thriller. I believe, however, that District 9 is going to be one of the biggest blockbusters of the summer.
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