Number ‘9’ a win for action movies

There have been several big-budget action movies so far this year: “Wolverine,”  “Watchmen,”  “G.I. Joe,”  “Transformers 2” and so on. Every one of them has been disappointing except “District 9.”

“District 9” follows a race of aliens who have become refugees in a slum in Johannesburg, and the unfortunate man who discovers their secrets.

The film, which is the directorial debut of Neill Blomkamp and is produced by Peter Jackson, is shot in the ever-popular documentary-like style. The gritty, dirty look gives it an in-your-face feel that makes the explosive sequences that much better.

It may not be entirely clear what the film’s message is – though a clear nod to apartheid is there – but even at its worst this film is thought-provoking, action-packed and riveting from start to finish.

“District 9” is easily the best movie of its kind so far this year.