Film Review
Megan Parker
CHAPPiE
Imagine Robocop, only he’s just been born
and he’s not entirely human. His physical
strength compares to the fragility of a toddler,
and he hides in corners in fear of strangers.
He wouldn’t be much use in a crime-ridden world, would he? Well, that’s basically how Chappie,
the Artificial intelligence robot, begins his life. In the near future, South Africa’s police force is ruled
by crime-fighting robots. Human ability is no longer required other than on the basis of supervision,
and the creation of bigger and better robots.
The plot focuses on the deviant endeavours of a quirky, small-time gang who get themselves into
the cliché, sticky situation of owing drug money to a much scarier bunch of people who own even
more guns. With a week’s deadline, the gang turn to the computer geek genius, Deon Wilson, who
is the creator of the police droids. In the hope of pulling off a million dollar heist, they confide in
him to simply ‘switch them off’ for the time being. Instead, they get given ‘Chappie’, a childish robot
in need of human socialisation and training in preparation for the heist, which if I haven’t already
mentioned, is in a week.
The best thing about this film is the music. The
alternative indie genres compliment the futuristic nature
of ‘Chappie’, and emphasise the contrasting suburban
back-drops of rich skyscrapers and loud, explosive
graffiti to symbolise the rebellious subcultures of the
gangs in the city of Johannesburg.
Actually no, I lied. The best thing about this film is the
cast. Hugh Jackman decides to stray from his usual
heroicness in this one. He plays the bad guy for once,
which is actually a plausible decision considering he
does the whole ‘angry and violent’ thing rather well.
Slumdog Millionaire’s Dev Patel plays the character
of Deon Wilson, who spends most of the time running
around after things, just as he did in ‘The Best Exotic
Marigold Hotel’. He is an excellent runner.
So will a group of small-time criminals and a babyminded robot successfully complete the heist?
I guess you’ll have to watch it to found out.
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