Because there haven’t been enough threads about films recently, right?

Since watching District 9 a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit. I don’t think it’s unfair to describe it is as a 5-star concept (aliens come to Earth but, rather than planning an invasion, they’re refugees) with a 3.5-star execution.

I don’t think I’m giving too much away to say it basically turns into a pretty entertaining action film, but the concept meant it could and should have been something much more powerful. In fact, given the topicality of refugee issues and its setting in South Africa it could have been one of the best films of the decade.

So, what other films, or books, or anything really, are based on fantastic premises but – like a striking postman – fail to deliver? And is it better to have a high-concept idea and mess it up than to aim for mediocre and get it bang on?