Review
Chappie (Sci-Fi, Action) (2015)
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Writer: Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell
Stars: Sharlto Copley, Ninja, Yo-Landi Visser, Dev Patel
To combat crime in a highly-populated city, a state-of-the-art robotics corporation has manufactured robot units capable of effectively handling situations of conflict. When one of these robots is declared defunct, the creative programmer behind it writes new code to allow it to become self-aware and even intelligent. Before being able to suitably test it, however, he’s forcibly taken along with his prototype by gangsters thrilled by the idea of having their own uniquely intelligent robot to commit crime with.
Based upon Blomkamp’s original short ‘’Tetra Vaal’’, his third feature-length project sees a near-future version of Johannesburg, South Africa, constituting a robot police force to respond to active crime. With a script written alongside his wife Terri Tatchell, ‘’Chappie’’ was filmed around Johannesburg and British Columbia. It was produced by Columbia Pictures, MRC, LStar Capital and Kinberg Genre while being distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing.
While an ever-increasing crime wave runs rampant in Johannesburg, a company called Tetravaal designs state-of-the-art machines called Scouts. These objective-driven robotic police agents created by programmer Deon (Dev Patel) are able to respond to violent incidents and neutralise any danger present. Similar to the lighter models, Tetravaal’s former army man Vincent also developed a mech-like unit called MOOSE being remote-controlled instead of being autonomous. As Deon pushes an innovative upgrade to his Scout models, he’s rejected and instead programs this inventive code at home. On his way back to the factory, Deon alongside his test subject is kidnapped by a disorganised bunch of criminals down on their luck. During their interrogation they find out about this artificially intelligent Scout and decide to keep it, able to train it for their own purposes, which are of course committing violent crime.
Providing a uniquely suited interpretation of a future close to our own, where technology has advanced to allow for artificial police to roam the streets. Blomkamp delivers his usual Cinéma Vérité style of filmmaking, as seen in ‘’District 9’’ continuing into a more cinematic and action-packed human drama with an AI twist.
Through the technological development allowed in this to a degree futuristic version of the South African cityscape, our dysfunctional criminal collective in Die Antwoord’s Ninja, and Yo-Landi alongside Cantillo’s Amerika guide a mostly-drama later action feature that capitalises on a unique motion-captured performance by Sharlto Copley. Assisted with an industrial-looking, almost ‘’Mad Max’’ environment, the human drama is vital as Copley’s Chappie transitions from a child-like figure to a self-aware adult, should those terms be applicable to an artificial intelligence, which Blomkamp poses they do.
Due to such a performance, and clever use of both VFX and practical elements these interactions between not only Ninja and Yo-Landi, but also Amerika and Deon shine quite brightly. While initially doubtful, the controversial rap-duo provide engaging moments with humour sprinkled throughout, perceptible in concept alone. Things such as those make ‘’Chappie’’ unique and significant on it’s own, enjoying Blomkamp’s tone those moments provide the most importance in his feature.
Much like the title says, it should’ve just been about Chappie. Turmoil within Tetravaal and action provided, while fairly spectacular just cannot stand up to the true substance of this motion picture. A science fiction using AI and such, while still being so close to our own reality, is not often shown, and taking place in South Africa, being usual for Blomkamp, provides a layer which rarely comes across, especially at the time of release.
Verdict
Recommendable to any of your chappies.
7,0
