By Stephen Pytak 

     A breath of fresh air in a summer dominated by
films inspired by toy franchises.
     This film kind of came out of nowhere. One day,
I'm reading Google news about how Peter Jackson 
is producing this indie about aliens parked in 
South Africa for 20-plus years. Next thing I know, I'm
driving out to a midnight show to go see it.
     I was blown away by "District 9."
     Here's the skinny: An alien ship lands in South
Africa. It's filled with thousands of bug-like creatures.
They can't leave. Fuel line is busted or something on
the ship. So they set up shop in a slum called "District 
9." So, 20-some years later, the government gets sick
of 'em and decides to move them to a concentration 
camp. During the eviction, the fun begins...
     Interesting premise. Good acting. Funny scenes.
Crazy scenarios. And heart-wrenching moments.
     Unlike, say, "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," which
was playing down the hall, "District 9" made no deals
with the audience.
     You weren't sure if our protagonists would survive
or what. The heroes were a couple of  Prawns -- that's 
what the aliens are called in this flick --  and a human 
government agent slowly transforming into one.
     While I've seen a million action scenes, the stuff
here is interesting because of how it's choreographed.
I mean, a pig gets in the way during a gunfight. And
guess what happens to him.
     And I love the Nigerian gangsters who set up camp
on the aliens' doorstep and trade them cat food for
laser guns.
     Instant classic.