CHAPPiE

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

 by Frederick William Springer III

CHAPPiE

Release Date:  6 March 2015                                                                Runtime:  120 Minutes              
Review Date:  28 April 2015                                                                 Rating:  3.5 (of 6)

      There has been talk about Short Circuit getting the reboot treatment for some years now.  While that project seems to have stalled, the closest thing to be released in the meantime is CHAPPiE, having the same major elements of a unique self-aware robot, originally made for law enforcement, learning and growing as a conscious individual.

     This film better explores the nature vs nurture element of a sentient being's upbringing, Chappie beginning with a clean slate but being taught by criminals, not knowing that what he is doing is wrong, perhaps trying to open the world's eyes, through its viewing audience, that by and large some criminals may simply not know what they're doing is wrong, a victim of circumstance.

     Here, I think we have CGI at its best.  Though I doubt robots were actually used, those on the screen appear 100% authentic not appearing fake in the least.  This IS how CGI should be used.

     That all being said, even with Hugh Jackman and Sigourney Weaver among the cast, I didn't find this movie to be overly compelling.  This may be, in part, because at many times what is supposed to be the background music is drowning out the actual dialogue, which is a disservice to the story and nepotism at that because much of the soundtrack is comprised of the rap/rave music of Die Antwoord, two of the main characters members of this band and the film actually using their real stage names.  (As a side note, weirdly there is a character that has English subtitles even though he is speaking English.   This would have better served Bane in The Dark Knight Rises than it does here, his speech discernable.)

     All-in-all, this isn't much a step up from writer/director Neill Blomkamp's Elysium and probably about just on par with his District 9 which leads me to the conclusion that I'm just not a Blomkamp fan and that I don't have any favorable thoughts about him taking over the Alien franchise, his next project.