What could Transformers and Pearl Harbor director Michael Bay possibly learn from a 29-year-old South African film-maker with one failure already behind him?

After watching District 9 the answer is…practically everything.

In an era of account-sanctioned, bloated blockbusters and a wearying culture of risk avoidance and deadening formula, Neill Blomkamp’s sublime blast of cutting-edge sci-fi hits you like a lightning bolt.

Under the guiding hand of Lord Of The Rings supremo Peter Jackson (whose Halo project he had to abort), he has forged a futuristic thriller which manages to challenge the intellect while battering the retina.

Twenty years after first touching down on earth, a colony of aliens – derisively nicknamed “prawns” by their reluctant human hosts – are corralled in a Soweto-style shanty town on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

These aren’t lovable extra-terrestrials like ET or intellectual titans in the manner of Close Encounters,  but loathsome mantis-like beings who survive on a diet of cat food.

Wikus van der Merwe (Copley), a field operative with the all-powerful so-called welfare agency MNU, is charged with serving eviction notices in line with plans to move them out of District 9.

However, the aliens – hitherto benign, slothful slackers – find their hackles (or what passes for hackles) rising. Meanwhile, an accident results in van der Merwe contracting an alien virus which begins to alter his DNA. The hunter becomes the hunted.

It also becomes apparent that MNU’s ulterior motive for “taking care” of the aliens is the discovery that their other-worldly weaponry – when harnessed – will offer unlimited profits.

Careering along at breakneck speed, Blomkamp’s scorching ride also finds time to touch on themes – apartheid, gangsta culture, corporate greed – whilst never being deflected from the ultimate aim of providing the cinematic spectacle of the year.

Shot for a paltry $30m – probably the sandwich bill for Terminator Salvation – this is a giddy triumph of invention, tight plotting and an inspired appreciation that there exists an audience who like to be challenged as well as thrilled.

Film fans…the bar has been raised.

Tim Evans