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District 9

****

Stars: Sharlto Copley, Nathalie Boltt, Jason Cope

Director: Neill Blomkamp

Rated: R

Showing: Speciality Cinema, daily at 2:30, 6:15, 9pm except Sunday 2:30pm, 5:15pm, 8pm

Runtime: 112minutes

Sci-fi/action/drama

Review: Aliens have made contact with the Earth. But these are refugees rather than invaders - the frightened and destitute last survivors of their home world.

While the world's nations argue what to do with them, the creatures are given asylum in a squalid shanty town in South Africa.

Contracted to look after them is private company MNU but the firm is more interested in the aliens' weaponry than their welfare.

If they can replicate it, the profits will be massive - but activation requires extra-terrestrial DNA.

Distrust builds between the aliens and humans and reach a climax when MNU worker, Wikus Van De Merwe, contracts a mysterious virus than changes his DNA.

As key to unlocking the secrets of the alien technology, he is hunted by MNU.

Alone and ostracized, there is only one place to hide - deep in the depths of District 9.

Produced by Lord Of The Rings director Peter Jackson, this epic looking tale is more than just your run-of-the-mill sci-fi romp.

Behind the impressive special effects and action is an intelligent social commentary.

As well as examining the contemporary issue of asylum seekers, the story is analogous to real life events in apartheid-era District 6 in Cape Town, when 60,000 were forcibly removed from the city centre and moved to the Cape Flats.

Director Neill Blomkamp impresses with his first feature - the movie looks great, is a great story and makes you think.

But it is star Sharlto Copley who really stands out, giving a riveting and grounded performance as a man rediscovering his humanity while humanity turns its back on him.

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