District 9 [2009]

Director: Neill Blomkamp
Writer: Neill Blomkamp & Terri Tatchell
Starring: Sharlto Copley

"District 9" dispels any prevailing belief that science fiction genre has been creatively milked dry. Taking enough of a departure from the tried-and-tested, done-to-death storytelling as well as visual conventions it "District 9" single-handedly resuscitates the genre. Full marks to Neill Blomkamp for using the genre to comment on the very human issues such as race-relations, human rights and the declining trust of governments shared by citizens everywhere. His eye for visuals and grasp of filming fast-paced action beats should teach style-over-substance auteurs a thing-or-two. Besides the excellent performance by debutant Sharlto Copley as the reluctant protagonist a special mention should be made of WETA. What Peter Jackson's New Zealand based effects house achieved with Gollum in "The Lord of The Rings" trilogy has now been revolutionised to a point where it is near impossible to distinguish CGI from practical effects and character work.