LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT! Can't recommend this film highly enough. I was gripped from the outset, including the documentary style beginning - not sure why some of the reviewers on here found that odd or difficult, i thought it was very effective and quickly launched you into the where/what/why of the film and made it feel immediate and real. Absolutely amazing special effects, but it's less those and more the "human" side of things that kept me gripped - bizarrely, you start off hating the main guy, who while buffoonish is still not being especially nice as he goes round with his eviction clipboard. The aliens actually come across as pretty sympathetic, they just end up in the wrong place at the wrong time and are then herded into a ghetto soon to be another smaller one. And then it all changes, and you begin to sympathise for him and really want for things to change. Can't say more as it would give plot away, but if you see just one "wow" film this year make it this one.

It’s not often that I would give a film such a high rating, there’s nothing more satisfying than dissecting a film to uncover its flaws. However District 9 is one of those films where minor criticisms can be completely forgiven. It’s a fantastic piece of cinematography, providing everything a movie could want. You don’t have to be a sci-fi geek with a degree in cling on to enjoy this, the CGI is not forced as in most other alien based films and possible more impressive is the fact that the whole of Sharlto Copley's (WIKUS - the lead character), script was improvised, you would never guess this if you had not been told. He gives a fantastic performance, full of humour and raw human emotion, and with this being his debut, I feel it will only be a matter of time before he is snapped up into the Hollywood mainstream.
The film is set in Johannesburg, which makes a really refreshing change. It captures the true essence of refugee treatment and racial isolation, with the aliens being referred to as 'prawns' in such a degrading and de-meaning manner and the out casting of change. The language is moderate and in places hysterical, and the CGI is fantastic (not often do I praise CGI as it’s usually obvious and ridiculous, but Blomkamp has it nailed). You need to see this film!

I cannot disagree more with the last reviewer, which is why I have been moved to write something on here for the first time!
Despite the heavy violence and language, this is not an easy
wham-bam film to watch. It requires thought. That thought, however, is well rewarded with a seminal sci-fi film , in terms of originality at the very least.
The first ten minutes are difficult, with the edgy docu-style, and several annoying, loud, teenage boys did leave the cinema - a blessed relief! Once you settle into this world, however, the story really does pull you in, with the wonderful CGI effects, and very realistic portrayals of human reaction to the aliens. Humanity does not distinguish itself in its history of first contact, and all these stories resonate in the story unravelling on the screen. The satire never overtakes the increasing deep pathos, wonderful flashes of humour and thrilling sense of action, however. The lead man puts in a stellar performance, and the way the viewer is gradually made to be empathetic towards the initially thuggish-seeming aliens (ironically, by 'humanising' them) is excellent. The young alien boy is incredibly cute, as an additional bonus!
I saw the film with a 58-yr-old Christian friend of mine, who would never normally go to see this kind of film. We talked about the issues raised in the film for a long time afterwards, and she really enjoyed watching it (despite the language), probably to her own surprise as well! So, even if you are not normally into sci-fi, do consider seeing this - it leaves you with a feeling of tender transcendence and bizarrely, a feeling of hope.

I am amazed at anyone calling this the best film of the year.

Whilst we sat patiently through the weird docu-style beginning, the launch into the main part of the film was truly horrible - cheap stunts to shock and revolt; gratuitously stomach-churning despite (or maybe because of) the excellent acting of the lead man.

This is the first film EVER that either my partner or I have walked out on mid-way. An absolutely disgusting film!!!