Chappie

2015 • 120 minutes

About this movie

In the near future, crime is patrolled by an oppressive mechanized police force. But now, the people are fighting back. When one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, he becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself.  As powerful, destructive forces start to see Chappie as a danger to mankind and order, they will stop at nothing to maintain the status quo and ensure that Chappie is the last of his kind.

Ratings and reviews

Blomkamp's first feature film, District 9, was a masterpiece and I remain a massive fan. Unfortunately his films since, both Elysium and Chappie both seem plagued by terrible writing. While I adore the mechanical hardware designs he uses in these films, Chappie unfortunately suffered from a silly story. It's one of those movies that the more you think about it afterwards, the more nonsensical almost every plot point becomes. I was thoroughly disappointed.

The action in this movie cannot save it, the main characters are like a combination of the guys from Fat Pizza and the Eastern European guy from Eurotrip. Except where they are funny, satirical and in on the joke chappies characters are not scary or endearing, just unintentionally funny and painful. The villain makes no sense; his motivation is, because the writers said I am bad, the sony advertising is in your face, as is the constant America crap for whatever reason. I thought the directors were from South Africa, I would have thought they would have wanted to portray their country in a better light than this. If you want to see a sentient military robot with an Indian programmer dude meet up with a gang and have an adventure watch short circuit instead.

I absolutely fell in love with the charm of this film. A heartwarming story with some very likeable characters. Totally under used Sigourney though (just like Exodus: Gods and Kings). A new generation "Short circuit" with a brutal edge. It's a shame it went a bit 'Avatar' but overall, impressed with what this guy can do on a modest budget.