We live in an era of cut-and-paste, mix-and-match, sample-and-recontextualize pop culture. Read the full post.
Aug 18
2009
12:59 PM ET
'District 9': Playing spot the reference, and checking out Neill Blomkamp's roots
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Cant get enough of D-9…..cant help but think how in fact the movie seemed realistic and true to what is actually happening today…..cant wait to see it again.
I know this is not the first example of this, but this is just what came to mind: the whole DNA-bonding-with-technology deal (in order for it to work) reminded me of Stargate and the Ancients technology. I also caught an Ender’s Game vibe from the bug-looking aliens (and another plot point I won’t spoil).
I was disheartened to see that no commenters picked up what I can only assume was inspired from the video game Half Life 2. For those, unfamiliar with Half Life, just know that the original Half Life game might be one of the best video games ever made, with a detailed, immersive, and rich sci-fi story, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a reference. In Half Life 2, one of the most beloved concepts in the game is the “Gravity Gun”. It picks up object and hurtles them at enemies. The exo-skeleton in District 9 did the exact same thing. First with the bullets, catching them and hurtling them back at the Nigerians, and then by hilariously hurling a pig through a wall.
Never mind, I stand corrected. I didn’t actually read the comments. I just searched for “Half Life”. I forgot the hyphen: “Half-Life” Props to you guys
I agree with a lot of these:
Hulk
Aliens
Resident Evil 5
28 Days later
Independence Day
Cloverfield
Gears of War
and of course, Halo
I really liked a lot of things about D9, but was a little put off by the cutesy schmaltzy thread that arrived in the form of the “adorable” alien child who wanted to go home. In other words: E.T.
Perfume – the bit where the “prawns” eat the bloke at the end, is like the bit where the bloke douses himself in perfume and gets eaten
transformers – the robot-like suit thing that Wikus Van De Merwe wears towards the end
ET – the baby “prawn” just wants to go home
District 6 – Not a film at all, but well it doesn’t even hide the fact that this is what it is depicting
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