District 9 Analysis

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When discussing the extent to which Neil Blomkamp’s District 9 is more evolved as a science fiction film than James Cameron’s Avatar, one can prove District 9 is far more evolved by arguing that it’s more subtle and innovative approach to its themes make the impact of these themes much more profound. Blomkamp’s approach to portraying the theme of Xenophobia is far more subtle and much deeper than in Avatar, and is dealt with in more profound way than Ridley Scott’s Alien. Blomkamp’s approach to the theme of human fear is also far more sophisticated than both Avatar and Alien. Avatar’s approach to the theme of Xenophobia is rooted firmly in the mise-en-scène surrounding the Na’vi. The blue and purple lighting of every frame we see them in as well as their primitive costumes serve to create an image of a peaceful alien race. This stereotypical approach is compounded by the aggressive nature of the humans, shown again in the mise-en-scène by soulless greys and lifeless blacks in high angle shots to try display some kind of power. These approaches in mise-en-scène are not innovative in the most extreme of interpretations, and therefore do not add anything at all to the theme of Xenophobia primarily because the approach is highly stereotypical, that approach being the classic evil humans versus evil aliens …show more content…

Alien deals with the theme in a generic way, trying to scare people with frightening music and unsettling blood in the mise-en-scene, therefore it can be agreed that this approach was lifted from a horror movie and adds nothing to the theme because it’s been overdone. Avatar deals with it by showing imagery of houses and trees being burned down, which is not innovative at all. District 9’s approach was far more evolved because it made people fear living in a dystopia with nothing, evidenced by the brown colouring which is far more evolved than both of the other

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