Director: Neill Blomkamp
By Alex Watson
Despite some misgivings and a perhaps flawed central trio, Neill Blomkamp's third effort Chappie is still an intriguing and enjoyable experience nonetheless. Many have seen this movie as simply being an expansion of District 9 and while it doesn't help it is within the same universe, it doesn't hinder the cause either. Whether Blomkamp really is the visionary genius that many have hyped him up to be will remain to be seen. In the meantime however, he is certainly building a solid case.
Set in 2016 Johannesburg, crime has been effectively solved by the introduction of a robotic police force named Scouts. One gang is desperate to pay off a big debt to a crime so in an attempt to get rich quick, they capture the inventor Deon Wilson (Dev Patel). Here they force him to create a robot designed to aid them, Deon then salvages a droid about to be destroyed and turns into an almost human robot called Chappie (Sharlto Copley). But rival creator Vincent Moore (Hugh Jackman) is less than thrilled with this bot delayed his own pet project.
Although dazzling to look at, Chappie unfortunately cannot shake off its slightly weak central narrative. In District 9, the prime focus was on change and a man losing his innocence. Blomkamp here reworks similar themes, but although Chappie's gradually introduction into the world is at times humorous (especially how Fuck Mother becomes his phrase) However it is also overdrawn and at times begins to grate on us! A bold and stunning creation on screen, Copley does a magnificent job of making his movements seem as human as the rest of us. But his childish nature and constant inability to read between the lines weighs the film down when it needs to fire.
The focal point of the movie is the battle for the robots soul, on the one side we have the caring and placid creator Deon who wants Chappie to explore his potential. But on the other more dangerous side we have a gang led by Ninja and Yolandi (both members of rap group Die Antwoord) who want him to be 'the baddest mother'. Both gang members are the flip side of each other, Yolandi comes to love this creation and is very much his mother figure. Ninja on the other hand is all business and wants his companion fighting on the front lines to ensure a big payday.
Although the action becomes thick and fast and there is compelling argument to be held about whether AI are capable of human emotions. Sadly this gets mangled beneath some questionable narrative logic. Why would Ninja, who depends on Chappie just abandoned him to be beaten up by a gang? The thought he might not survive doesn't seem to click. The gang are also rather unappealing due to their greedy nature and vile attitude towards their friend/captive. Also Deon while passionate and caring is rather weak and fails to be the strong human presence that the movie needs. Blomkamp does well and implements more big ideas and visual tricks- but it feels the story should have been given more focus.
Dev Patel is solid as usual post Slumdog Millionaire, but here he fails to really raise his game when required. He effectively nails the nurturing side of the creator, but his wimpish nature makes him too much of a push over. Hugh Jackman has immense fun playing the villain for once, but in truth he fails wasted by Blomkamp and is giving little else to do other than look surly behind a desk. Die Antwoord however both sink and swim the movie, yes they have presence but their rough and villanous nature becomes borderline irritating after a point. Making them the anti-heroes of the film feels like an unwise step by Blomkamp.
Upon reflection, Chappie by no means a bad film and it is one that we really want to love. But at the same point, it doesn't really raise Blomkamp any further after his slightly tarnished previous effort Elysium. On a special effects scale, the man is still able to wow us and his selection as the new Alien director could prove wise. But for future efforts, story line has to be given equal attention.
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