District 9 Review:

"District 9" is a rare thing. A Sci-Fi thriller that all some all-around appeal. It is original and the closest we've come to an alien mass population arriving on earth that doesn't end in extinction is "Alien Nation"(1988). I love a little misdirection in the exposition and this has a great deal, while not holding back who the aliens are. The setup draws you in, it doesn't have a big Hollywood star to reveal the cards held by the director, so the main character takes a while to emerge. Within its own world, everything that happens seems plausible, the character's motivations seem to make sense and the acting is sincere, all of which draws you into caring what happens to the aliens. It has the messianic plot structure of the Matrix but has a clear resolution. The special effects are great. The whole thing is not shot in the documentary style so there are no continuity issues. Like I said at the start: tech, plot, and character you care about. I will want to go to "District 10."

Update: Slate has a take on the anti-corporate theme in District 9. (Shades of Alien, Iron Man, etc.)