2009: An amazing year for sci-fi and fantasy, led by "District 9"

It seems as though my best movies of the year so far list was pre-mature. Today I saw "District 9," which undoubtedly deserves a spot on that list. But before I move on to my review of "District 9" and my revised list of the top 5 best movies of the year so far, it's worth noting what an incredible year 2009 is for sci-fi and fantasy films.

The genre got off to a great start in March with "Watchmen." Although the film certainly had its flaws, Zack Snyder probably gave us the best adaptation of Alan Moore's complex graphic novel anyone could hope for. Things got even better for sci-fi in May with J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" reboot, which made a killing at the box office and received rave reviews. And July's "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is considered by many to be the best of the franchise. I certainly think that cinematically, it stands out above the rest.

Now we have "District 9," a fresh take on the genre that is already earning raves from critics and audiences in its opening weekend. And if the early buzz from Comic-Con holds true, "Where the Wild Things Are" and "Avatar" will continue this trend of high-quality sci-fi and fantasy films in 2009.

But on to my thoughts about "District 9." I've been looking forward to this movie ever since I was first exposed to its brilliant viral marketing campaign, but I was absolutely astounded by this film. It far surpassed my highest expectations. When the movie ended, a few people at my Saturday afternoon showing clapped, and I was so stunned I couldn't get up until several minutes into the credits.

"District 9," an expansion of director Neill Blomkamp's 2005 short "Alive in Joburg," focuses on a group of aliens whose ship mysteriously stopped over Johannesburg, South Africa, more than 20 years earlier. The aliens have since been confined to slums in what has been dubbed District 9. Control of District 9 has been overseen by Multi-National United since the aliens first arrived. But when MNU field worker Wikus Van de Merwe (Sharlto Copley) is exposed to the aliens' biotechnology, his life begins to take a different course, leading to some dramatic changes inside District 9.

Newcomer Blomkamp combines more traditional sci-fi storytelling with a faux-documentary style that makes the story seem much more real. His direction is seamless, and he clearly made the most of his $30 million budget, a small figure for a summer action film. The CGI is spectacular, especially for a film with such a small budget. The aliens look so lifelike and are so expressive that they become relatable characters.

The story is also rife with commentary about discrimination and apartheid, but it never feels forced or overbearing. It also says a great deal about how people deal with the things they fear or don't understand. Some scenes are downright brutal and hard to watch because they are so plausible, albeit set against a sci-fi backdrop.

Setting a sci-fi film in a Johannesburg slum is such an original spin on the genre, and the social commentary it provides integrates beautifully with the movie's intense and suspense-filled action sequences. A summer action film with this much depth is a rare creation.

The film features only unknown actors, and I think it benefits from this. Newcomer Copley turns in a phenomenal performance as Wikus, growing flawlessly from a somewhat naive MNU worker who is in over his head to an unlikely hero. Copley and Blomkamp, who had virtually no experience before this movie, certainly have long careers ahead of them now, especially with Peter Jackson behind them.

Everything about this film - directing, acting, writing, special effects, marketing - is simply brilliant. Any film lover should not end 2009 without seeing "District 9." A

So now that I've seen "District 9," my list of the top 5 best movies of the year so far is as follows:

1. The Hurt Locker
2. District 9
3. Star Trek
4. (500) Days of Summer
5. Up



District 9 Trailer (HD) - The most amazing videos are a click away