District 9 is probably the most miserable modern science fiction movie made so far. Everything in it was ugly, the story did not have one likable character and the documentary style was pretentious to say the least. It just goes to show how originality is not necessarily a good thing in mass-market entertainment like big-budget science fiction films.
As for Avatar, when the Colonel jumped out of his exploding aircraft in a mech-suit near the end of the film, I for one had a grin on my face. Anyone familiar with the ending in Aliens would know at that moment how badass the fight scene that follows would be.
Respectfully, cant agree about District 9 or Avatar.
Behind the scenes, there is nothing special I found about Avatar. The storytelling is cringe worthy, the characters shallow as a pothole, and if you can look past the awesome visual fest that I will wholeheartedly agree with, the movie offers very little in terms of cranium exercise.
You are never left in doubt about what is going to happen and the 'build up' is at times so in your face I was surprised Cam didnt jump on the screen and yell 'DO YOU SEE WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN?!!'
But I definitely found the characters' purely clinched traits the worst. You have your bad guy, no he's definitely the bad guy....no, no, he's not going to change, he IS the bad guy. See that? He did something bad. I can understand having antagonists but come on...
District 9, I found on the other hand, to be surprisingly moving. Going in, I was expecting an action fest of Alien V Human, a struggle over common ground. Which, in a way, did happen. But what was really surprised me was the emotion of which this story is told. How the main character of Wikus is presented is very refreshing. Your not meant to like him, you groan at his obvious flaws, and it makes you uncomfortable thinking about the repercussions his actions have on the likable Johnson, and not only that, but it cast doubt on your mind as to how it will all turn out. It is rare that the 'outsider' is presenter as the noble one, with ourselves the petty, self driven narrow minded specimen.
The journey that you are taken on with Wikus is the highlight of this movie (ok ok, the battle suit scene is up there but I digress) As he starts out from a self centered human, to manipulating the very beings he brutalized for his own gain (Johnson) The scene where Wikus smacks him over the head with the bar to take the ship makes you want to scream in rage and frustration.
Yet he does redeem himself. But rather then follow the tried and tested script of rewarding the 'angel' you are left to make up your own mind as to what his faith is, either to suffer in his current state, or to be rescued by the very people he used. The final scene of him leaving the metal flower outside his finance's house, who is one of the main reason for his entire motivation, is very poignant.
Yes, it is ugly, yes it is brutal, but it takes you out of your zone, and sets you in a very realistic environment that probably exists right now, very odd for a sci-fi movie.
