District 9
24/08/09 08:36 Filed in: Reviews
You may wonder why I’m reviewing a movie on a videogame news blog. Don’t worry, you likely won’t see me do it very often. But I couldn’t resist this time. District 9 just screams “I want to be a videogame” most the way through the film.
Before we continue any further, you need to watch “Alive In Joburg”:
Ok we’re back. “Alive in Joburg” was a short film created by District 9 director Neill Blomkamp. You may say that the reason why Blomkamp is able to direct features now is because of his work on “Alive In Joburg”. Because not long after Joburg, Blomkamp could be found under Peter Jackson’s wing and slated to direct the Halo movie. He even directed a Halo themed short film for the release of Halo 3:
Peter Jackson is quoted as saying that when the halo film died, District 9 was born. District 9 is “Alive in Joburg” re-imagined as a feature film. That much is clear. But where they differ is in their presentation. For the first third of the film, it’s presented as a mockumentary, much in the way “Alive in Joburg” was. The aliens are used as a metaphor for the apartheid government that existed in South Africa. But after that, the film becomes straight up action. I’ll even go so far as to say that District 9 is what you get when you superglue “Alive In Joburg” and the halo short film.
The action is mostly handheld cameras and is gritty and realistic looking. It’s well-done despite being a little nauseating on a large screen for some people. And this is where it becomes a game. When the film moves into the action realm, it’s gaming 101. The handheld first person camerawork emulates videogames so well that you feel like at any minute you’re going to be handed a rifle and start shooting baddies. There are so many exploding heads in this film that I kept hearing the Unreal Tournament announcer repeating “Headshot” over and over again in my brain. And the pacing is videogame as well. Action, FMV, action, FMV. District 9 is a videogame that people watch.
Despite appreciating it’s aesthetic, I couldn’t help but be disappointed coming out of this film. I loved the doc-style of the first third of the film, and got disinterested in the last 2 thirds. But they should have done the entire film as a mockumentary. Instead viewers are treated to a narrative that degenerates into standard run of the mill action thoroughfare. Now just to set the record straight. District 9 can be an enjoyable film. And any gamer will find its look and feel familiar and interesting. And many non-gamers have found it an interesting film as well. But I just see this film and think about what it could have been and not what it was.
Many are clamoring for a sequel to this film. And it does definitely end in a way that the story could continue onward. Although it’s debatable whether it should. Personally, I would prefer it didn’t continue on as a film franchise. Instead I would like to see it stop pretending to be a game, and just be a game. The world created in District 9 is ripe for the playing. From the environments, to the weapons, to the characters and creatures. It has the tools to be a very good game. Who would I like to see develop it? Well I would definitely want Blomkamp involved. But dev-wise I would say without hesitation, Starbreeze. Their Riddick games were truly phenomenal pieces of work. And if they could bring that level of quality to a District 9 game, I dare say it would be a terrific play.
Before we continue any further, you need to watch “Alive In Joburg”:
Ok we’re back. “Alive in Joburg” was a short film created by District 9 director Neill Blomkamp. You may say that the reason why Blomkamp is able to direct features now is because of his work on “Alive In Joburg”. Because not long after Joburg, Blomkamp could be found under Peter Jackson’s wing and slated to direct the Halo movie. He even directed a Halo themed short film for the release of Halo 3:
Peter Jackson is quoted as saying that when the halo film died, District 9 was born. District 9 is “Alive in Joburg” re-imagined as a feature film. That much is clear. But where they differ is in their presentation. For the first third of the film, it’s presented as a mockumentary, much in the way “Alive in Joburg” was. The aliens are used as a metaphor for the apartheid government that existed in South Africa. But after that, the film becomes straight up action. I’ll even go so far as to say that District 9 is what you get when you superglue “Alive In Joburg” and the halo short film.
The action is mostly handheld cameras and is gritty and realistic looking. It’s well-done despite being a little nauseating on a large screen for some people. And this is where it becomes a game. When the film moves into the action realm, it’s gaming 101. The handheld first person camerawork emulates videogames so well that you feel like at any minute you’re going to be handed a rifle and start shooting baddies. There are so many exploding heads in this film that I kept hearing the Unreal Tournament announcer repeating “Headshot” over and over again in my brain. And the pacing is videogame as well. Action, FMV, action, FMV. District 9 is a videogame that people watch.
Despite appreciating it’s aesthetic, I couldn’t help but be disappointed coming out of this film. I loved the doc-style of the first third of the film, and got disinterested in the last 2 thirds. But they should have done the entire film as a mockumentary. Instead viewers are treated to a narrative that degenerates into standard run of the mill action thoroughfare. Now just to set the record straight. District 9 can be an enjoyable film. And any gamer will find its look and feel familiar and interesting. And many non-gamers have found it an interesting film as well. But I just see this film and think about what it could have been and not what it was.
Many are clamoring for a sequel to this film. And it does definitely end in a way that the story could continue onward. Although it’s debatable whether it should. Personally, I would prefer it didn’t continue on as a film franchise. Instead I would like to see it stop pretending to be a game, and just be a game. The world created in District 9 is ripe for the playing. From the environments, to the weapons, to the characters and creatures. It has the tools to be a very good game. Who would I like to see develop it? Well I would definitely want Blomkamp involved. But dev-wise I would say without hesitation, Starbreeze. Their Riddick games were truly phenomenal pieces of work. And if they could bring that level of quality to a District 9 game, I dare say it would be a terrific play.