Imagine aliens have come to Earth and we segregate them in slummy camps. Wouldn't that be a kick in the pants? For South Africans, maybe District 9 is. No one on earth will be able to process this movie in the same way as residents of that country, which for decades enforced the most brutal racial-segregationist policies on the planet. For those of us on the outside, District 9 can at times be a little uncomfortable. After all, apartheid as sci-fi entertainment can seem flippant. What really stands out is Sharlto Copley's acting. Copley absolutely nails his character. District 9 is supposed to be a bang-up summertime thrill ride, and on that score, audiences get their money's worth. Go for the guns and for Copley's performance. Don't try to iron out the plot or worry about a meaningful message on apartheid. Area theaters. Visit www.fandango.com. --Will O’Bryan

Read Will O'Bryan's full review here.