# District 9: Rave Reviews So Far... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 12, 2009, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152 "2009-08-12T07:49:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/41 "2009-08-14T19:34:07Z")
Just got back from seeing it. It was good but not what I expected and not in a good way. The story wasn’t that complicated, didn’t have any twists or turns, and the characters were ultra-shallow stereotypes. You had the evil father-in-law secretive government guy, the trigger happy mercenary guy, the gullible hero guy. If they were going for a realism documentary style then the characters were too action movie 101. It had sci-fi elements but never slowed down to tell a good sci-fi story. The first half was very predictable and you could probably even guess what was going to happen to the main character from the previews the guy slowly turns into an alien ala 1980s The Fly. Kind of boring to watch. Then end really picked up into a fast-paced action flick and reminded me of the better dusty-gritty scenes from Terminator Salvation. Cool weapons and splosions and stuff. Actually a lot of cool mindless fun. So, definitely worth seeing as a top-notch mindless alien action shoot-em-up film. Just don’t go in expecting a thought provoking sci-fi piece. And a question about the end I thought the point of getting prawn and prawn jr. to the mothership was to gather up everyone and go home? But then we see that a million or so of them are now living happily in district 10? Did they leave or not? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/42 "2009-08-14T19:36:51Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > That definition does not mention anything of “wizards” or “magic potions” which you _subscribe_ to. By your definition, a movie must use either of those two elements in order to be a Deus Ex Machina? If that were the case, Deus Ex Machinas wouldn’t be a valid complaint for almost any film. > > Regardless, we’re splitting hairs. I found it improbable and it broke the immersion. And that was just one of several scenes that didn’t seem to be consistent with the rest of the movie. As I understand it, Deus Ex Machina is something that comes from outside _anything_ the story had previously set up. If you find it implausible, improbable or even just stupid, then it’s simply just that; [but Deus Ex Machina has a certain distinction.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_ex_machina) All the problems, and their solutions that happened in this movie, however implausible you felt they were, acted within the confines of the plot and story they initially set up, and didn’t cheat in any way. But hey, have it your way. ETA: Wizards and magic potions are just examples of what a DExM would be in this case. C’mon. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/43 "2009-08-14T19:40:39Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > As I understand it, Deus Ex Machina is something that comes from outside _anything_ the story had previously set up. > But hey, have it your way. Then your understanding is contrary to the definition I cited. Again though, splitting hairs, and it’s ultimately irrelevant to the specific issues I had with the movie. > [@cmyk](#): > > ETA: Wizards and magic potions are just examples of what a DExM would be in this case. C’mon.. I know. My point, conveyed in a slightly exaggerated manner, was that your definition was so constrained, that seemingly almost nothing could be considered a Deus Ex Machina. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/44 "2009-08-14T19:42:13Z")
**duplicate post–please delete** ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/45 "2009-08-14T19:45:18Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > And a question about the end > > I thought the point of getting prawn and prawn jr. to the mothership was to gather up everyone and go home? But then we see that a million or so of them are now living happily in district 10? Did they leave or not? After 20 years, their numbers had multiplied. Also, it seemed their life support was in bad shape when they first arrived anyway. And on top of all of that, loading up the entire population would have been a long, drawn out process, that I’m sure MNU would try to put a stop to. So, the father and son simply went to go get help… we are to draw our conclusions from there. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/46 "2009-08-14T19:48:18Z")
To hopefully end this Deus Ex Machina issue: > [@](#): > > There are four primary forms a Deus Ex Machina can take: > Total Deus Ex Machina. A plot element that didn’t previously exist and has no logical explanation behind it. Let’s say the hero has been pummeled to an inch of his life and the villain has regained control of his gun. The hero then finds a magical remote control under a nearby couch that allows him to pause the scene, take the gun away, and shoot the villain. > **Illogical placement and timing Deus Ex Machina**. When something is established and explained in the work, but its use in that situation is jarring and impossible to believe. Building from the example above, let’s say that instead of a magical remote, the local militia bursts in and shoots the villain. Maybe it was established earlier that the militia protects the countryside, but for them to somehow divine that there is a fight going on at this isolated farm and to burst in just in time to save the day is a Deus Ex Machina. > Cut and paste Deus Ex Machina. When Chekhovs Gun is quick-drawn, but it’s done in a clumsy way that makes one realize that the author obviously just couldn’t write them out of the situation with what they have, so they went back to some earlier point and put in one or two throwaway lines to set up a victory down the road. From the example above, perhaps the hero randomly decided to put a tiny pistol in one of his pockets and just happened to forget that he had it until now. > Fridge Brilliance. When something seems to be a Deus Ex Machina, but really isn’t. The writers were just a bit too clever for their own good. To build from the above, let’s say that the hero intentionally rigged his gun to blow up should it ever be fired in some early scene and it both fits with his personality and seems like a logical thing he would do. It might seem like a cop-out at first, but one them remembers he’s a Technical Pacifist that hates guns and never wants to fire one in his life in spite of his job. See also Chekhovs Gun. From here: [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DeusExMachina](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DeusExMachina) I don’t know the historic accuracy of this definition, but this seems to align with what I’ve seen of modern usage of the term. IMO, the cited sequence fits such a definition, it may not in your opinion. That’s fine–we don’t have to agree on this. Don’t let my opinion ruin your hard-on for D9. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/47 "2009-08-14T19:49:20Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > I know. My point, conveyed in a slightly exaggerated manner, was that your definition was so constrained, that seemingly almost nothing could be considered a Deus Ex Machina. Exactly. Not many stories result to a Deus Ex Machina, because it’s so groan-worthy. The wiki article points to some good modern examples, like the _“It was all a dream”_ variety. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/48 "2009-08-14T20:00:29Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > To hopefully end this Deus Ex Machina issue: > From here: > [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DeusExMachina](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DeusExMachina) > > I don’t know the historic accuracy of this definition, but this seems to align with what I’ve seen of modern usage of the term. IMO, the cited sequence fits such a definition, it may not in your opinion. That’s fine–we don’t have to agree on this. Don’t let my opinion ruin your hard-on for D9. I couldn’t care less about your opinion of the movie, but at least criticize it based on knowing what the hell you’re talking about. The things you describe in the film being a Deus Ex Machina don’t fit with any definition you or me are describing. And you’re right, we don’t have to agree on this, I’m simply right, and you’re wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/49 "2009-08-14T20:09:38Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > I couldn’t care less about your opinion of the movie, but at least criticize it based on knowing what the hell you’re talking about. The things you describe in the film being a Deus Ex Machina don’t fit with any definition you or me are describing. And you’re right, we don’t have to agree on this, I’m simply right, and you’re wrong. It must be easy to convince yourself of such things when you’re unwilling to accept the fact your classical definition no longer strictly applies to modern usage. The situation I specified does fit the “Illogical placement and timing Deus Ex Machina” which I did _describe_, and you subsequently quoted. But whatever, let’s carry on past this, shall we? Or we can continue this via PM, if you wish, as this issue no longer pertains to the movie. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/50 "2009-08-14T20:11:59Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I have only seen trailers, and would like to see the movie. I have a question for the “have seen’s”. > > To me the special effects are so…_real_. Am I right in thinking that there is just something else about these effects? They just don’t look like effects. Upon actually watching the movie can you notice something a little special about the effects? Or am I just judging on the trailer. Not sure what you mean. The VFX are indeed pretty seamless, and they went for gritty and photoreal. It was done by Weta Digital, the same group that did the effects for Lord of the Rings (Golum), and King Kong; among others. Perhaps it’s the perfect movematching they did with the handheld camera-shake that helped sell the effect even more? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/51 "2009-08-14T20:16:11Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > It must be easy to convince yourself of such things when you’re unwilling to accept the fact your classical definition no longer strictly applies to modern usage. The situation I specified does fit the “Illogical placement and timing Deus Ex Machina” which I did _describe_, and you subsequently quoted. > > But whatever, let’s carry on past this, shall we? Or we can continue this via PM, if you wish, as this issue no longer pertains to the movie. It’s not that I don’t recognize other definitions and varieties, but there are no examples you point to in the movie that match any definitions, classical or modern. That’s all I really have to say, as well. Unless you can express further why you think those things seemed _so_ illogical, I can’t understand where you’re coming from. Otherwise, I’m done. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/52 "2009-08-14T20:19:15Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > It’s not that I don’t recognize other definitions and varieties, but there are no examples you point to in the movie that match any definitions, classical or modern. > > That’s all I really have to say, as well. Unless you can express further why you think those things seemed _so_ illogical, I can’t understand where you’re coming from. > Otherwise, I’m done. I honestly don’t see how the mech sequence requires any furthers elaboration beyond what I already stated, as it seems to be almost a near-perfect example of “Illogical placement and timing Deus Ex Machina.” At any rate, I’m also done discussing this. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/53 "2009-08-14T20:27:35Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > I honestly don’t see how the mech sequence requires any furthers elaboration beyond what I already stated, as it seems to be almost a near-perfect example of “Illogical placement and timing Deus Ex Machina.” > > At any rate, I’m also done discussing this. You may be done, but I have all day. They _showed_ the Prawns bartering weapons and mechs for the _entire first half of the movie._ They even had a sequence where they traded the mech for 100 cans of cat food. The human thugs captured Wikus, and they were surrounded by all the alien goods. The Kid Prawn activated the mech to see if he could help, it’s not like he didn’t know what the situation was. Makes perfect sense. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/54 "2009-08-14T20:36:30Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > You may be done, but I have all day. > > They _showed_ the Prawns bartering weapons and mechs for the _entire first half of the movie._ They even had a sequence where they traded the mech for 100 cans of cat food. The human thugs captured Wikus, and they were surrounded by all the alien goods. The Kid Prawn activated the mech to see if he could help, it’s not like he didn’t know what the situation was. Makes perfect sense. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11445789#post11445789](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11445789#post11445789) > [@TV Tropes](#): > > Illogical placement and timing Deus Ex Machina. When something is established and _explained in the wor_k, but its use in that situation is _jarring and impossible to believe_. You may have all day, but I really have better things to do, as I hope you would too. Here’s where we differ: you believed it was plausible. I do not. The kid managed to take control of the machine just in time to magically save the protagonist the moment before he was able to be injured/killed. It was contrived, jarring, and seemed out-of-place in a movie that was seemingly trying to present events (albeit with some pretty exceptional elements, like aliens) in a realistic manner. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/55 "2009-08-14T20:39:55Z")
I didn’t actually say what you have me quoted for there. Nevertheless, so be it. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/56 "2009-08-14T20:46:04Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > I didn’t actually say what you have me quoted for there. > > Nevertheless, so be it. Whoops, sorry about that. I meant to cite the original souce, being TVTome. It gets confusing with all those spoiler and quote tags =P I’ll see if I can get a mod to fix it… ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/57 "2009-08-14T21:13:48Z")
No biggie, really, I assumed it was a formatting typo. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2009, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/58 "2009-08-15T01:03:20Z")
I just got back from seeing it and I think it’s the best sci-fi/action movie I’ve seen in a long time. The premise is a bit like _Alien Nation_ in some ways, even down to the human-alien “buddy” relationship that develops. But it’s a much grittier and more intense take on the theme, and the protagonists face a very different problem. You could probably name a dozen other science fiction movies that it draws elements from (_Starman, The Fly, Robocop, etc_) It isn’t perfect. I do agree with the criticism that it doesn’t really explore the social issues it presents in the first act in a very meaningful way–instead it turns into more of an action flick in the last act. On the other hand, it’s certainly okay for a movie to present a problem or situation without completely resolving it or answering all questions, leaving them instead open for further consideration by the audience. The ending, especially, provides plenty of food for thought about what the near future holds for humanity. It does have _some_ substance to it, and it tells its story in a smart and efficient manner, which is quite refreshing compared to most of the other big action/effects movies I’ve seen this summer (_Terminator 4, Harry Potter, Transformers 2, GI Joe_). _District 9_ is heads, shoulders, knees, and toes above them. Even _Star Trek_–which I enjoyed–had a lot of stupidity in it that could have been cut to make a better movie. In _District 9_, everything serves to set up the story and advance the plot. I found the characters interesting and the story and pacing gripping and engrossing through the end. The special effects are really great. The aliens seemed substantial and very much as though they were really there, interacting with the humans and the environment. Go see it! ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2009, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/59 "2009-08-15T03:08:25Z")
I absolutely loved it. One thing I loved was how much actual screen time the aliens got. You got to see them close up, interact, converse/gurgle with themselves, etc. as opposed to many other films that would depict similar-looking aliens as jumping out from nowhere, attacking, flitting behind crates, etc. Some things of note: What are your theories about why the prawns are here? The direct leaves a TON of questions unanswered: 1.) What do they call THEMSELVES? We name them after some indigenous crustasceon, but I’m sure they have a more dignified term for themselves. 2.) Um, culture, religion, origin? They toy around with this by tossing some vague theories, but they’ve been here for 20 years, nobody thought to ask questions like, “What do you call your planet, where is your sun located, how different is your planet from ours, etc.” 3.) Their technology can pop humans like blood-filled water balloons, yet they live in a slum in south africa, getting punked around by physically weaker, technologically inferior beings (us). 4.) did anyone stop to wonder what the heck is going to happen if they come back and realize how badly we’ve been treating the 2 odd million of their population? I will use the presence of alien mech suits and human popping ray guns as my cite for the argument that maybe, MAYBE, this won’t go well for us. 5.) I can see the potential for a sequel with “Christopher” (MNU designated name) coming back but his brethren so appalled at how we treated their castaways they decide we should feel what its like when the shoe is on the other foot. 6.) I FOR ONE WELCOME OUR SOON TO BE ALIEN OVERLORDS (in 3 years) they can take south africa for all I care America is passing the buck on this one lol. I will be more than willing to serve in the CFPC- Cat Food Procurement Corps, to ensure no reprisals come down on my own community/race. Glory to the hive queen! One fun thing i liked about this movie is how it shows a certain degree of human nature regarding xenomorphs. We expect if aliens arrive, they’ll either destroy us or make us gods. Talk about presumptuous! guess we can’t handle life on another plant simply not giving a damn about our own existence 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2009, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152/60 "2009-08-15T05:58:34Z")
[Slate](http://www.slate.com/id/2225285/) found it dull. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/district-9-rave-reviews-so-far/506152.md?page=4)