I thought District 9 was something of an opportunity missed, insofar as the obvious references to apartheid seemed a bit dated. I'd not argue with the notion that SA still has massive problems with racial integration, but the film seemed a bit late to the party in that respect.
I wondered if they were going to say something about the problems of refugees, or even about the way human beings, for all our pronouncements about our own progress, rationalism etc etc, still can't cope with difference. it seemed to me that the film flirted with that for a while, then settled for a hollywood style shoot out to conclude the film.
it wasn't a bad film by any means, it just hinted at a depth that, ultimately, wasn't there.