MOVIE REVIEW: BOY KILLS WORLD

 

Boy is a mayhem machine who's been training to assassinate the bloodthirsty Hilda Van Der Koy and avenge his family's murder. Guided by his sister's mischievous spirit, Boy uncovers one stunning revelation after another as he barrels toward Hilda.

Director: Moritz Mohr

Cast: Bill Skarsgard, Jessica Rothe, Michelle Dockery, Famke Janssen, Sharlto Copley, Brett Gelman, Isaiah Mustafa, Andrew Koji

Release Date: April 26, 2024

Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller

Rated R for strong bloody violence and gore throughout, language, some drug use and sexual references

Runtime: 1h 51m

Review:

Moritz Mohr's manic Boy Kills World is heavy on blood splatter style but equally light on story that makes for an uneven experience overall.  Mohr has the scaffolding of a story set up and his film does a quick bit of world building in its opening act before quickly moving to what he's more interested in, a series of fun but increasingly gory action sequences.  To his credit, the majority of those sequences work with a kinetic energy that seeps through the screen by way of aggressively choreographed fights, one involving a cheese grater is sure to make a lot of people winch more than a few times.  There's plenty of style on display throughout but the script is so haphazardly slapped together it hard to get too engaged in any of the characters or the storyline since it all feels like an afterthought.  A few twist and turns in the final act would have worked far better if there'd been just a bit more energy spent on fleshing out the characters and dystopian world presented. The cast makes the most of it, managing to bring a tangible sense of energy to the screen in spite of the thinly written characters.  Bill Skarsgard gets as much traction as humanly possible from his mute character by bringing an impressive physicality to role while managing to play the film's dark humor especially when he's reacting to his internal monologue provided by H. Jon Benjamin.  Skarsgard has some solid chemistry with Quinn Copeland and Andrew Koji throughout the film but neither is taken full advantage of with each coming on and off the screening far too quickly.  Sharlto Copley and Brett Gelman are both having a ball hamming it up every time they're onscreen with Copley being criminally underutilized.  Michelle Dockery and Famke Janssen do their best with underwritten characters who barely have a chance to register even though one of them is supposed to be the big bad of the whole story.  Jessica Rothe's character suffers a similar fate as there's far more time spent on the character's look than anything else.  It’s a credit to Rothe that she's able to get as much mileage as she does out of her helmeted character but you just wish she'd had a better chance to shine.  Boy Kills World manages the rare feat of being simultaneously undercooked and overly long which saps the film of the over the top zaniness energy it starts with leaving it a missed opportunity at making something truly memorable.    

C

MOVIE REVIEW: MONKEY MAN

 

A young man ekes out a meager living in an underground fight club where, night after night, wearing a gorilla mask, he's beaten bloody by more popular fighters for cash. After years of suppressed rage, he discovers a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city's sinister elite. As his childhood trauma boils over, his mysteriously scarred hands unleash an explosive campaign of retribution to settle the score with the men who took everything from him.

Director: Dev Patel

Cast: Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Sobhita Dhulipala, Sikandar Kher, Vipin Sharma, Ashwini Kalsekar, Adithi Kalkunte, Makarand Deshpande

Release Date: April 5, 2024 

Genre: Action, Thriller

Rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, rape, language throughout, sexual content/nudity and drug use.

Runtime: 1h 53m

Review:

Dev Patel's directorial debut, Monkey Man, has a kinetic energy that propels the blood soaked, revenge thriller through some of its more uneven sections while managing to leave a lasting impression.  On its surface, it'd be easy to categorize this as little more than a John Wick knockoff but clearly Patel has much more on his mind than mindless mayhem.  The action here is much more brutal and less cartoonish than Wick's gunplay heavy style which gives the sequences a certain level of grimy authenticity.  The action is hard hitting and chaotic, occasionally to a fault, as Patel tries to put you right in the middle of the action.  Some set pieces work better than others, but you get a definite sense that Patel feels more comfortable directing these portions of the film.  The quieter moments prove to be a bit more of a mix bag as it grinds the film to a halt which makes the whole thing an uneven flow, making it feel longer than its actual runtime.  Dev Patel is committed throughout in front of the camera as his character is believably focused on his revenge journey.  He brings a lot more depth and nuance to the character thanks to his talent as an actor which allows him to overcome some of the script's underwhelming characterizations.  The supporting cast doesn't get much more to work with as many of the characters are one dimensional type instead of fully realized people.  Pitobash and Sharlto Copley in particular seem to be begging for meatier roles as they chew up scenery in their limited screen times.  Issues aside, there's plenty to appreciate about Monkey Man's approach and overall style showcasing Patel's talent in front of and behind the camera

B

MOVIE REVIEW: BEAST

 

Recently widowed Dr. Nate Daniels and his two teenage daughters travel to a South African game reserve managed by Martin Battles, an old family friend and wildlife biologist. However, what begins as a journey of healing soon turns into a fearsome fight for survival when a lion, a survivor of bloodthirsty poachers, begins stalking them.

Director: Baltasar Kormákur

Cast: Idris Elba, Iyana Halley, Leah Sava Jeffries, Sharlto Copley

Release Date: August 19, 2022

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Horror, Thriller

Rated R for violent content, bloody images and some language.

Runtime: 1h 33m

Review:

Beast is a lean, straightforward but brain dead animal attack thriller that's engaging enough to keep your attention during it's brisk runtime.  Baltasar Kormákur directs the film with a steady hand, establishing the landscape and players early on before moving on to the mayhem everyone knows is coming.  The script provides the thinnest of characterization for Idris Elba's character, he's trying to connect with his daughter after the loss of his wife, while providing nearly none for a criminally underused Sharlto Copley.  Elba for his part is fully committed here and elevates the material as best he can.  This film isn't concerned with it character's as much as building tension for some well scripted set up which make the central CGI animal feel like a tangible menace.  The film's at its strongest during these sequences thanks to strong directions and staging.  Unfortunately, this is the kind of film where character's continue making abjectly stupid decisions which put them in harm's way.  It's brisk pace makes it easier to overlook some of these issues if not entirely.  Beast works as a mindless empty calorie fun but those looking for a better lion attack film might be better checking out 1996's The Ghost and the Darkness.

C+

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of Gringo & The Hurricane Heist

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for the rowdy double-bill of Gringo and The Hurricane Heist.

 

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

 

First on my agenda, Gringo.

 

Things go south for a pharmaceutical rep when he unwittingly runs afoul of a Mexican crime lord.

Gringo is a darkly funny outing that certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea. Filled with rough language, drug and sexual references, and up-close-and-personal violence, the story is a crazy one, though clever and sometimes more thoughtful than I expected. David Oyelowo (whose name I'll never learn to spell without looking) heads an excellent cast, striking a perfect tone for our confused and terrified titular gringo. The extraordinary Sharlto Copley shines in a small supporting role, but it's Charlize Theron who really steals the show with a sexy, foul-mouthed turn. Gringo is action packed, well crafted, and makes some surprise turns, building to a suitable and satisfying finale. It does suffer some sluggishness, but if sticking with it occasionally feels like work, the payout is worth it.

 

Gringo clocks in at an efficient 110 minutes and is rated R for "language throughout, violence, and sexual content."

 

Gringo can be a rough ride at times, but a great cast and solid story make it worth the effort. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Gringo gets seven.

 

Fangirl points: Alan Ruck! Yul Vazquez! Harry Treadway! A weird-but-awesome flamenco version of the Cure's Just Like Heaven over the end credits!

 

Next on the docket: The Hurricane Heist.

 

Thieves plan to use a Category 5 hurricane as cover for their attempt to steal $600 million from a US Treasury vault.

 

The Hurricane Heist is that rare picture that is 100% as advertised. It is, in truth, a very stupid movie; however, if you leave disappointed, it can only be due to unreasonable expectations. While it is neither as fun as Geostorm, nor as irrefutably awesome as Den of Thieves, the Hurricane Heist is just wacky enough to get away with its implausible premise and D-list cast. The obvious selling feature for this sort of film is its disaster effects, and here the quality ranges all the way from "pretty sweet" to "stuck in 1939 with The Wizard of Oz." Suffice to say the cast isn't exactly loaded with talent, and it doesn't need to be. True Blood got me used to Aussie Ryan Kwanten speaking with a southern drawl, but I was jarred incessantly by that sound coming out of Toby Kebbell's face. "Starring Maggie Grace" usually means a hard pass from me, so it's no surprise that it was difficult for me to get past her in the lead. The action is wild and the story is as goofy as you'd expect, but--while the movie definitely doesn't take itself too seriously--it's missing a certain element of fun that its wacky premise should have guaranteed.

 

The Hurricane Heist runs 102 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of gun violence, action, destruction, language, and some suggestive material."

 

The Hurricane Heist is a passable couple hours of witless entertainment for those slow, waning weeks of winter. (Also I kept thinking of Justin Timberlake in The Social Network: “Drop the ‘the;’ just ‘Hurricane Heist.’ It’s cleaner.”) 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Hurricane Heist gets four.

 

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: GRINGO

Mild-mannered U.S. businessman Harold Soyinka finds himself at the mercy of backstabbing colleagues, local drug lords and a black ops mercenary after traveling to Mexico. Crossing the line from law-abiding citizen to wanted criminal, Harold fights to survive an increasingly dangerous situation that raises the question -- is he out of his depth or two steps ahead?

Director: Nash Edgerton

Cast: David Oyelowo, Charlize Theron, Joel Edgerton, Amanda Seyfried, Thandie Newton, Sharlto Copley

Release Date: March 9, 2018

Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime

Rated R for language throughout, violence and sexual content

Runtime: 1h 50min

Review:

Gringo is a weird mismash of knock off Tarantino films that seemed to litter the cinematic landscape after Pulp Fiction hit in the late 90s.  Nash Edgerton film is overly busy and needlessly complex.  The characters themselves are interesting and eccentric enough but none of them have any tangible depth to them to make them overly interesting.  To its credit, the film boast a stellar cast who make the film far more watch able than it deserves to be.  David Oyelowo is the main attraction since he’s clearly having a great time playing against type.  Oyelowo who’s usually a dramatic actor has some solid comedic chops and provides of the films best moments.  Charlize Theron & Joel Edgerton are terribly underused especially in the second half of the film.  The same goes for Sharlto Copley’s character who’s interesting but he’s introduced late in the film leaving you wanting more.  Gringo as a whole feels like a missed opportunity, it’s not an unenjoyable film but you can’t help but feel like there is a much better film there.

C

Cindy Prascik's Review of Hardcore Henry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dearest Blog: With this weekend's promising new releases opening nowhere near me, yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for the...um...less-than-promising Hardcore Henry. Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

 

A man awakes in a laboratory to discover he's acquired a bunch of robot parts, but lost his memory.

 

Dear Reader(s), I'ma be straight with ya: With time to spare between halves of yesterday's double-feature, I stepped out of Harcore Henry, sat in the hallway, and wrote something akin to Spinal Tap's infamous "S**t Sandwich" review. However, the well-stated enthusiasm of one of my cinema buddies caused me to give the movie some additional thought, and, with thanks to Paul at Marquee, here's a more considered opinion.

 

Hardcore Henry is quite unique. Shown entirely through Henry's eyes, the viewer sees all the wiggly-jiggly action in the first person. While that's not always a great choice for your viewing enjoyment (and thank heavens it's not in 3D!), the filmmakers get full marks for commitment and attention to detail. Every bit looks entirely authentic. 

 

Sharlto Copley is his usual brilliant self, changing personalities like I change my socks. Like Sebastian Stan, Copley is a fantastic actor who usually deserves better than the projects he or his agent chooses, but, on the plus side, even a bad movie is so much better for having him. The action sequences are very well-choreographed, and the film is also smart enough not to wear out its welcome, clocking in at a quick hour and a half.

 

Now, the bad news: the violence and portrayal of women in Hardcore Henry are straight out of a teenage boy's dream. Even I--Number-One Expendables Fan--have to admit that the pointless chaos wears thin pretty quickly. The picture’s clearly more interested in grabbing your attention with something weird or shocking than keeping it with a well-thought-out story; the plot is riddled with holes and bizarre moments that make no sense...even in the context of something that makes so little sense overall. 

 

Minus anything more substantial underlying it, the incessant brutality is a lot to take, and the non-stop action can't save the movie from being a bit of a bore. 

 

Hardcore Henry runs 96 minutes and is rated R for "non-stop bloody brutal violence and mayhem, language throughout, sexual content/nudity, and drug use." 

 

Harcore Henry certainly isn't everyone's cup of tea, but, if you're looking for something well and truly different at the movies, it might just be for you. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Hardcore Henry gets three.

 

Until next time...

 

MOVIE REVIEW: CHAPPIE

Neill Blomkamp expands on his 2003 short film Neill Blomkamp in this futuristic sci-fi saga written in collaboration with screenwriter Terri Tatchellmore

Director: Neill Blomkamp 

Cast: Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Sigourney Weaver, Hugh Jackman

Release Date: Mar 06, 2015

Rated R for Language, Brief Nudity and Violence

Runtime: 2 hr. 0 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Chappie is a worrisome film, not because it’s an awful film by any stretch but because it lays bare Blomkamp’s flaws as a director.  Chappie is filled with big ideas but mired by substandard execution and cartoonishly drawn characters.  Casting South African rappers from Die Antwoord is an odd choice made even worse by the fact that they are main characters.  If they’d been supporting characters it might have worked out a bit better for everyone involved.  Dev Patel, Sigourney Weaver and Hugh Jackman (who’s sporting Wolverine’s hairdo in reverse) are saddled by poorly drawn characters who are types instead of well formed characters with depth.  As for Chappie himself, he’s a well formed creation even though he leans a bit too much on the cutesy side than he should.  When all the explosions have ended and the film has run its course you can’t help but wonder if you’ve watched sub par Short Circuit remake.

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: ELYSIUM

In a future in which the privileged reside on an Earth-orbiting space station named Elysium and the less fortunate live on the surface of the blighted, overpopulated planet below, one man dares to defy the strict anti-immigration laws that separate the two disparate worlds in order to save all of mankind in this visceral sci-fi action thriller from District 9 director Neill Blomkamp. Alice Braga, Diego Luna, William Fichtner, and Faran Tahir, Sharlto Copley co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Neill Blomkamp

Cast: Matt Damon, Alice Braga, Jodie Foster, Faran Tahir, William Fichtner, Sharlto Copley

Release Date: Aug 09, 2013

Rated R for Strong Bloody Violence and Language Throughout

Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama

Review:

Neill Blomkamp’s follow up to District 9 is heavy on allegory but surprisingly light on plot. It’s a steady effective and exciting sci-fi film which is full of cool gadgets and intense action. Blomkamp though is content to take us on a guide tour through this dystopia as we follow Damon’s damaged hero on his journey. We get some glimpses into this world but the film only scratches the surface of themes and systems presented. Additionally there are a handful of plot holes present specifically the final resolution. I would have preferred a headier film, Elysium deliver plenty of spectacle throughout pepper with some impressively graphic violence. Damon’s delivers solid work as usual even though the script doesn’t give him much meat to chew on. Flashbacks, usually heavy hand and unnecessary, give the character a bit of depth and motivation but it’s all fairly routine. To his credit, Damon is strong enough to make us care about his character throughout. Jodie Foster though is surprisingly bad as the primary villain. She sports a distractingly bad French accent while spouting out some terribly clunky dialogue which never hits the mark. Sharlto Copley fares much better as the maniacal Kruger. Copley gives his character a crazed energy which makes him the most interesting thing on screen whenever he’s on it. Blomkamp is working with a bigger budget than he did on his first film and he leaves it all onscreen. As a result the film flies with nary a lag in the action. I just wish it was a slightly deeper excursion.

B

Cindy Prascik’s Reviews of Elysium / Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

Dearest Blog, today it was off to the cinema as usual. On the bill: Elysium and Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.
Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

First up was Elysium, Neill Blomkamp's followup to the critically acclaimed District 9.
In the not-so-distant future, most folks live on a ruined Earth that's long on people and short on resources. The wealthy, however, spend their days on a luxurious outpost called Elysium, where there's no pollution, sickness, crime, or other unpleasantness. Circumstances force Max (Matt Damon) to try to get to Elysium at any cost, but his efforts could have a lasting impact on both sides of society.

I think District 9 is a masterpiece, plain and simple, so to suggest my expectations for Elysium were ridiculous would be fair enough. Even though the movie doesn't quite meet them, it's still pretty impressive.

There's nothing subtle about Elysium's message--the imbalance between rich and poor--but I never felt like it beat me over the head with it, either, probably because it never pretends otherwise. The plot is reasonably engaging and the runtime is sensible enough that you don't get bored.

It would be misleading to say Elysium is a beautiful movie, because nothing could be further from the truth. Elysium, of course, looks like a pleasant place to live, but isn't any prettier on screen than the average golf course. The futuristic vision of Earth is grungy and depressing, but effective for bringing home the hopelessness of the average person's life. So...while it's not gorgeous, it is perfect.
Matt Damon is sympathetic and believable as a guy buried under the weight of past poor decisions, with little hope of ever getting out. William Fichtner is appropriately slimy as a business owner with regard for only his own skin (and bottom line). It goes without saying that the standout is Sharlto Copley, who's fantastic as a renegade member of Elysium's security force. The rest of the supporting cast is fine, if unremarkable, with the disappointing exception of Jodie Foster. I found her performance wooden and, frankly, a bit grating (and where she was going with that accent, I have no idea).

Elysium runs 109 minutes and is rated R for "strong bloody violence and language throughout."

It's not the masterpiece I'd hoped for, but it's still pretty darn good. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Elysium gets seven.

Next on the agenda was the sequel Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.

To restore protections to their safe haven, Percy Jackson and other half-bloods brave the Sea of Monsters, in hopes of finding the Golden Fleece.

The first Percy Jackson movie was passable teen-fantasy fluff, and the sequel is much the same. The plot feels like a soup that maybe was too thin to start, so the cook just kept tossing in ingredients 'til he ended up with something of a mess for his trouble. The film would have been better served had it focused on the main plot, without the other diversions. The dialogue ranges from flat to plain awful, and most of the attempts at humor are cringe-worthy. While some of the effects are impressive, the terrible CGI moments were too plentiful to really give kudos on that count, either.

Having said all that, the movie does have its pluses. Logan Lerman is perfectly watchable in the lead, and the always entertaining Brandon T. Jackson remains a scene stealer. The rest of the young cast is passable, and the older, familiar faces (including Anthony Head, Stanley Tucci, and Nathan Fillion) are as good as the material permits. One scene of a story being told within the story (think Hermione reading The Tale of the Three Brothers in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) is beautifully shot.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters clocks in at 106 minutes and is rated PG for "fantasy action violence, some scary images, and mild language."
It's a fun but forgettable bit of Summer brain candy that's suitable for the whole family. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters gets six.
And that, dear Blog, is that for this weekend. Next weekend is Gary Oldman's one and only cinema appearance for 2013, so you may expect much giddiness from this corner.

Until next time...




Make more movies, dammit!!

MOVIE REVIEW: EUROPA REPORT

Director Sebastian Cordero (Rage, Pescador) follows a team of intrepid space explorers to one of Jupiter's moons on a mission to investigate evidence of a subterranean ocean that could contain single-celled life in this ambitious sci-fi thriller produced in collaboration with NASA. Determined to explore the possibility that the oceans of Europa could harbor primitive life, a privately funded firm called Europa Ventures assembles six of planet Earth's best astronauts, and sends them deeper into the stars than any human has ever traveled. Sharlto Copley, Michael Nyqvist, and Christian Camargo star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Sebastian Cordero

Cast: Sharlto Copley, Michael Nyqvist, Christian Camargo, Embeth Davidtz, Dan Fogler

Release Date: Aug 02, 2013

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and peril

Runtime: 1 hr. 30 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Documentary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

The trailer for Europa Report sold it as a straight up found footage sci-fi / horror film, something akin to the disappointing Apollo 18. The trailer really doesn’t do the film justice. Director Sebastian Cordero delivers an elegant looking, if emotionally detached sci-fi film. Cordero’s direction and handling of the story is all grounded firmly in reality. All the action progresses in a believable manner with the science being discussed ringing true. Its documentary feel adds to the authenticity of the whole thing but we never really connect with the characters. It’s a shame because there’s a solid cast assembled with Sharlto Copley and Michael Nyqvist being the most recognizable. Those expecting Copley to be front and center will be left disappointed as his role is rather limited. Additionally, those expecting a plus pounding thrill ride, like the trailer hints at, will be left just as disappointed. Europa Report is slow burn throughout, feeling more akin to Danny Boyles’s underrated Sunshine (first 2/3rds at least), Kubrick’s 2001 or Andrei Tarkovsky’s Solaris. The final reveal might leave some people disappointed because it not the big moment you’d expect. Eurpoa Report is far more pensive and grounded about itself, opting for a more realistic ending.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: THE A-TEAM

IN THEATERS

THE A-TEAM

1980s TV action gets a reboot with this new version of The A-Team, which shifts the Vietnam vet backstory to a group of Iraq War vets who become mercenaries for hire. Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces) directs from a script by G.I. Joe's Skip Woods. Liam Neeson heads up the crew as Hannibal, the brains of the operation, with Bradley Cooper as Face, UFC star Quinton "Rampage" Jackson filling in for Mr. T as B.A. Baracus, and District 9's breakout star, Sharlto Copley, inheriting the unhinged role of "Howling Mad" Murdock. Jessica Biel also co-stars. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Director: Joe Carnahan

Cast: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Sharlto Copley.

Release Date: Jun 11, 2010

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action, smoking, language and intense sequences of violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 57 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

A guy movie through and through Joe “Carnage” Carnahan delivers lots of fun testosterone fuel action in his sharply directed reboot of the 80’s series. Carnahan gleefully sets up scenarios and action pieces like a child playing with action figures, the proceeds to make it all explosively real on the screen. The amount of collateral damage done throughout this film run time is probably close to Ronald Emmerich disaster film but so much more fun. The cast has as much fun as the director and never take anything overly serious. Liam Neeson leads the way as Hannibal and he clearly has a ball playing the team’s leader and master planner. Bradley Cooper comes off as a bit smug from time to time but he’s charismatic enough to make it work for the character without going overboard. Sharlto Copley was my biggest question mark coming in but he was one of the strongest performers throughout providing a seemingly endless amount of energy and nuttiness. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is adequate if a bit neutered, due to a silly subplot, as B.A. Baracus, he looks the part but doesn’t have much conviction in delivering lines. Jessica Biel and Patrick Wilson both offer serviceable performances in fairly clichéd roles. The plot is overly complicated to hide the fact that it’s terribly silly and mostly unbelievable. This film doesn’t require much from the upper brain functions and that’s fine because Carnahan delivers enough entertaining insanity to keep you interested as the online liners are fired out as quickly as the bullets.

B+

Movie Reviews: DISTRICT 9

Sunday, August 16, 2009
Movie Reviews: DISTRICT 9
IN THEATERS

DISTRICT 9

Aliens become refugees in ....South Africa.... where they are kept isolated from any human contact. While being contained in the refuge being ignored of their welfare, their weapons become the sole interest of Multi-National United (MNU). But only one man , Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley), can activate these weapons. He becomes hunted for and only one place can give him refuge, District 9.


Cast: Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, David James, Vanessa Haywood, Mandla Gaduka


Director: Neill Blomkamp


Opened ..August 14, 2009..


Runtime: 1 hr. 53 min.


Rated R for bloody violence and pervasive language


Genres: Psychological Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi Adventure, Science Fiction


Review:





District 9 is an intriguing and totally engrossing sci-fi romp that, like the best of genre, has so much more simmering under its façade. Rookie director Neill Blomkamp makes an incredibly impressive debut here especially considering the paltry, by ..Hollywood.. standards, 30 million budget. Blomkamp delivers a massively entertaining and visually impressive film that can challenge any big budget summer blockbuster. Blomkamp uses a faux documentary style for the better part of the film making the film seem as if it were cut together from various interviews and live news feeds. It works in creating a sense of reality that’s lacking from a lot of science fiction films. As mentioned this is a message movie but it doesn’t jam it down your throat and can be enjoyed on multiple levels. On the acting front feature newbie Sharlto Copley is pretty much front and center and he does an impressive job throughout. Copley’s character traverses a multitude of emotional states that vary from impish office drone to determined hero. The rest of the human characters are pretty much types and never particularly fleshed out but they serve their purpose so it’s hardly a stain on the film. The effects are pretty much the costars here and they don’t disappoint. The “prawns” are fully realized creations that are mostly believable with only occasional hiccups. Still they are so effective that by the end of the film you can’t help but connect with “Christopher Johnson” and his son’s plight. The final battle is beautifully staged and feels like a fantastic mash up of Black Hawk Down and Transformers that feels fresh and original. Fresh and original a great way to describe this film overall and while some of the conceits will feel familiar to experienced genre fans but Blomkamp melds them so effortlessly and impressively you’d be hard pressed not to enjoy the accomplishment.





A