Reel Critic:

Peter Jackson, the man who brought us “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, has produced a spectacular science fiction film now in theaters. “District 9,” directed by hotshot newcomer Neill Blomkamp, tells of a different kind of alien invasion. The story unfolds like a documentary and is set in Johannesburg, South Africa, where a disabled alien spacecraft has been hovering for 20 years.

When the ship arrived it sat motionless above the city for three months until the military decided to force its way on board. Once inside the spacecraft they discover the aliens are sick and malnourished and seemingly without leadership. The ship is rumored to have lost a command module or some other component rendering it inoperable.

The 1 million aliens were put into a detention camp and in the 20 years since their population has almost doubled and the settlement has turned into a dangerous slum. As the film opens the alien population is set to be forcibly moved to a new settlement farther away from the capital. Moving the aliens, derogatorily referred to as “prawns,” is the responsibility of Multi National United (MNU), a private military contractor. Helping manage the move is Wilkus Van Der Merwe (Sharlto Copley), a bumbling bureaucrat with little empathy for the aliens. Unbeknown to Van Der Merwe, MNU has been conducting medical experiments on the prawns. MNU, the world’s second largest weapons manufacturer, wants to utilize the alien weaponry that requires their DNA to operate.

Van Der Merwe begins the task of moving 1.8 million aliens to a new District 10 camp 240 km from Johannesburg, with help from private security forces working for MNU. While inspecting a suspicious alien residence, Van Der Merwe picks up a suspicious cylinder that squirts a dark liquid into his face. The liquid disorients him somewhat and he later injures his arm.

After collapsing at a surprise party in his house, a doctor at a local hospital discovers his injured arm has grown into an alien claw. Van Der Merwe is taken into custody and a series of tests and experiments are performed on him that reveal his altered DNA allows him to operate the alien weapons. Realizing he is now a potential asset of great value, the MNU doctors decide to vivisect him to collect his valuable genetic material.

Van Der Merwe manages to escape from the doctor and hides in the alien camp. Van Der Merwe must now work with the prawns if he is to have any chance at reclaiming his life.

“District 9” is a gritty and realistic film with spectacular special effects.

Rated R for bloody violence and pervasive language, “District 9” is sometimes hard to watch but extremely engrossing and fast paced.

Virtually all of the actors are South African and mostly unknown to American audiences.

The performances are superb, especially Copley in a role in which he goes from hapless bumpkin to heartless functionary, and finally to sympathetic protagonist.

“District 9” is currently the No. 1 film in the country and should have “legs” as it has received great reviews and good word-of-mouth.

The ending leaves the possibility of a sequel wide open, so don’t be surprised to see “District 10” in theaters in the not so distant future.

VAN NOVACK is the assistant vice president of institutional research and assessment at Cal State Long Beach and lives in Huntington Beach with his wife, Elizabeth. VAN NOVACK is the assistant vice president of institutional research and assessment at Cal State Long Beach and lives in Huntington Beach with his wife, Elizabeth.