CHAPPiE
Dir: Neill Blomkamp
2015
*****
Neill Blomkamp's previous films; District 9 and Elysium both have had their share of praise but both have suffered an unfair share of criticism. Both District 9 and Elysium were about political and social unrest (apartheid being the most obvious) and both were a breath of fresh air. I would argue that good sci-fi should always be intelligent but it's not often that the big action blockbuster is remembered for it's social or political statements. CHAPPiE's initial and mostly negative reviews suggest to me that the kids don't want clever blockbusters, or is that unfair of me? Firstly, I think that CHAPPiE has been massively misunderstood thanks to its fairly poor marketing. It's not a new RoboCop, it's nothing like Short Circuit or WALL-E and has little in common with I, Robot.  It's not really about the idea of robotics or artificial intelligence (in fact it's more to do with natural ignorance). It's a sci-fi civil rights film. CHAPPiE is anyone who has ever been oppressed and who has overcome adversity. How artificial intelligence is created isn't important, the fact that it exists is. It's harder to believe that there are certain people around the world who are thought of as having inferior intelligence because of their skin colour etc but alas it is true. CHAPPiE is one big beautiful metaphor that is never preachy (the fact people seem to have overlooked this only goes some way in validating this). Many issues are raised, questions asked rather than answers given and emotional and political ideals explored. It is also one of the most touching films I've ever seen. I say it's nothing like Short Circuit or any other film of its ilk but those films made me sad while watching as a child because of the emotional manipulation. CHAPPiE challenges this, has real depth to it and is somehow justifiably emotional. The cast is eclectic and brilliant, the visual effects are impressive and the conclusion was perfect. An intelligent, exciting and original sci-fi film, I was utterly impressed.