Man, if you don’t know who Neill Blomkamp is now, get ready, cause his name soon will be on the lips of everyone.
How does one go from being virtually unknown to most pedestrians to being chosen by Peter Jackson to helm an adaptation of the video game, “Halo”? You direct a ton of impressive sci-fi, effects-laden commercials for Ridley Scott’s RSA films (a veritable breeding ground of hot talent these days) including spots for Nike, Citroen C4, Gatorade, etc. and Spy Films, and of course a “Halo” ad that became a virtual proof of concept piece. A short film, called, “Alive In Joburg” further impressed Jackson and Blomkamp was then tagged to helm the highly coveted project, so expensive that Universal and Fox who were both co-funding the project, eventually pulled the plug in 2006 (rumors said the budget had ballooned to $200 million from what was originally pegged as a $135 mil price tag). Variety at the time even said speculation on why the picture was deep-sixed centered around the “inexperience” of the then-27-year-old first-time feature director Blomkamp.
After the dystopian-esque “District 9” set in Johannesburg, South Africa, hits theaters this weekend will both these studios be kicking themselves senselessly? Will some studio exec throw a phonebook at an underling in apoplectic self-loathing? Not because it will have taken in $75 million or more, no, it’s haul will probably be modest, but because the promise on screen could definitely reap rewards, both critical and financial down the road (and it’s very conceivable that “District 9” will start with a $30 million-ish opening and then steady word of mouth will only see it that number grow — it surely deserves to top $100 million by the standards that are out there).
The sci-fi flick, heavy, yet not overburdened, with excellent socio-political context feels very poised to be the sleeper runaway hit of the summer in terms of high-concept films and coming in with a low $30 million dollar price tag (made for a song by Hollywood criteria) it feels ready to teach Tinsletown a lesson about their spending habits.
The thrilling, lo-fi and spontaneous-feeling film is impressive to say the least and it seems like the hype has finally been lived up to. If only all summer blockbusters were this intelligent, potent, taut and dare we even say, engagingly insightful. This visceral and kinetic picture — lots of cinema verite, hand-held docu-style camera — is the picture “Cloverfield” wishes it was (thank god these guys learned from the mistakes of viral campaign overkill). To boot, the film is clever and has a wry sense of humor. The performance by total South African unknown, Sharlto Copley does a great job of balancing the character’s doofus, goofy tendencies, with genuine naivety and artlessness. There’s a fine line early on when the film could have devolved into worrisome dopiness, but just when you think the characters are going to be the typical jackasses in horror films (generally stupid people deserving of getting garroted), it surprises you with a few nice twists.
Geeks are going to be over the moon for this project and with good, justifiable reason and the pretentious intelligentsia (us?) should be all over it as well. This is bold, assured and well-executed filmmaking and props must go out to Peter Jackson for his talent scouting eye.
The one thing we want to know is, what’s next for Blomkamp? Not that we’re remotely over “District 9” or have moved on, this is a picture people will likely be talking about for the rest of the summer, but why haven’t we heard his name beyond this? If Hollywood is aware of this project or what Sony has on their hands here, Blomkamp should be on those wish-lists for every big-name action adventure film that comes down the pike. Hopefully he resists and continues on the auspicious path he’s started down.
And really, if you weigh in all the factors of popcorn fare, the escapism, the entertainment value, the enjoyability factor and sneak in those things like smarts, sharp execution and excellent social implications (forget apartheid, we’re talking intolerance and prejudice on a global scale), you have: best mainstream film of the summer? In terms of what constitutes a summer film, we (or I) would say, hell yes. Personally, I enjoyed this one much more than “Star Trek” too, if you’re looking for some sort of gauge. There was very little, and or next to nothing to laugh at, which is something we can’t say about J.J. Abrams’ enjoyable, but relatively silly summer tentpole.
Here’s the short “Alive In Joburg” which was the basis of “District 9” and basically the fallback project that Jackson suggested when “Halo,” went under. It’s very much like the feature-length film, only with less production values, but it definitely has a very similar tone and feel — a mix of fabricated newsreel footage, pixelated digi cameras, black and white security cams, all types of mixed-media that contribute an incredible sense of urgency into the final film. It’s a good primer.
This isn’t much of a “review” because we didn’t get into the particulars yet, but in short, a solid thumbs up (hopefully one later in the week). An impressive picture and it’s nice to see a “geek” project that is relatively unique and original. Hell, by today’s remake/reboot standards, it towers over most of what is coming out of mainstream Hollywood. Good on the filmmakers here. This is the exact shot in the arm that high-concept filmmaking needs.
