A question to those of you who have seen District 9 (Peter Jackson's new film):

[Mrs. Overall]

Is it over the top with blood, violence and gore?

I would love to see it, but I read about the reasons for the R rating and it stated that it had extreme bloody violence--animal parts, people parts, people losing limbs, gut matter, brain matter, people shredded, and that blood and guts splash onto the camera lens.

I am not a huge fan of blood/gore, but, having read the outstanding reviews and the political aspects of this film, I would love to see it.

What did those of you who saw it think of the violence--was it too much?

[Joe the Liberal]

1. I really want to see it too....

I haven't seen it yet (obviously) so I can't really answer your question but consider this a kick. ;)

[Windy]

2. its a bit bloody... but its good. I only turned my head a few times

its a campy film so be prepared.

[villager]

3. it definitely earns its "R"

It's not a misguided rating of a film that should've been PG-13...

[Golden Raisin]

4. Saw it today.

Definitely plenty of blood and body parts flying around. Gore (not Al!) aside, it's an interesting movie.

[eShirl]

5. in the interest of clarity, Jackson produced but neither directed nor wrote it. n/t

[Mrs. Overall]

6. Thanks--I thought of that as I typed it, but can't edit my title now.

I realize he only produced it.

[Swamp Rat]

7. Yes, I saw it last night.

It was non-stop, over-the-top violence, like a first-person shooter video game.

For me, it was a waste of time and money. The script was 'written' by and for 12-14 year old boys.

:thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown:

[Mrs. Overall]

8. That's very interesting. There was a thread a day or two ago on DU and people seemed to love

the movie because of the political and social message.

It sounds like you are saying that the blood/violence and first person perspective get in the way of the purported message.

Thanks for your comment.

[Swamp Rat]

10. "political and social message?!?"

:rofl:

I came away from the movie thinking, "gee, black Nigerian men and women are superstitious and evil and deserve to be blown to smithereens."

The so-called political and social messages in the movie not only self-contradict, but they seem to exist merely for the purpose of excusing the gratuitous violence.

The movie, in a nutshell, is non-stop violence with a veneer-thin plot

[buzzycrumbhunger]

9. Not over the top

There's definitely a yuk factor, but in the end I wanted to shower more because of the garbage. I found the trailers beforehand much worse--we're apparently gearing up for the Halloween season, and just about everything was a cookie cutter slasher/vampire/zombie/apocalypse retread. (Well, the Surrogates looked like it has some potential.)

The movie itself was fantastic. It was not what I expected from the promos and the aliens were a shocking departure from most sci-fi films; at first, they're not so much menacing or sympathetic, just repulsive. I think it's a much more effective way of getting you to think about interacting with someone truly alien and not just the usual Star Trek sort that all speak English so easily. I think it might turn off the nitwits who simply want to see another summer action flick because it does start out very slow and builds to the very end. It's a really thoughtful story, and though it does have a lot of themes we've seen before, left me feeling surprised that Hollywood is apparently capable of some originality these days. Closest vibe it gave me was that old chestnut where Dennis Quaid and Lou Gossett have to help each other survive (is that Enemy Mine?) I also found it refreshing that the US govt. was not the bad guy. LOL.

My biggest question is why the hell aliens would evolve to look like that since they obviously don't come from the water. Maybe the sequel (just assuming, given the ending) will explain that.

In the meantime, I hope Jackson gets busy on The Hobbit. I'm sick of waiting and at ComicCon, he made it sound like the finished script was on the verge of being submitted to the studio and taking off. (It's going to be TWO films--yay.)

[Mrs. Overall]

11. Thanks for your thoughtful review.

It must be an interesting film because some are saying to skip it (gratuitous violence and little plot) and others, like yourself, seem to have gotten quite a bit from the story. I may just send Mr. Overall to see it first--he knows my squeamish level and is a pretty good judge of worthwhile plots.

Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

On Edit--Can't wait to see The Hobbit!