Chappie (6/16/2015)

Rated R for violence, language and brief nudity.

Starring Hugh Jackman, Dev Patel, Sigourney Weaver and Sharlto Copley (voice)

Directed by Neill Blomkamp (Elysium and District 9)

Another gritty Neill Blomkamp film.

Every child comes into the world full of promise, and none more so than Chappie: he is gifted, special, a prodigy. Like any child, Chappie will come under the influence of his surroundings — some good, some bad — and he will rely on his heart and soul to find his way in the world and become his own man. But there’s one thing that makes Chappie different from any one else: he is a robot. The first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself. That’s a dangerous idea — and it’s a challenge that will pit Chappie against powerful, destructive forces that would ensure that he is the last of his kind.

Neill Blomkamp has a very distinct style. His films are usually dark, gritty, violent and layered. There’s the story – usually a well-crafted original story – and the sub story – a commentary on society. In District 9 he took on racism and in Elysium he tackled social class issues and now…life, death and immorality.

Like Elysium, he has brought in some Hollywood A-listers. This time Hugh Jackman (complete with a serious mullet) and Sigourney Weaver lead the cast. Dev Patel is really strong in his role and of course Sharlto Copley needs to be in it…although this is just his voice.

The graphics are impeccable. The entire time I had to keep reminding myself Chappie was not real. The way he walks and moves is flawless. Blomkamp also has a way of making the ugly visually stunning. So even when the bullets are flying, it is artistic and compelling.

Finally there is the story. Another reason I love Blomkamp is his story telling. He is a master and he proves it again with this one.

I just wish the language and sexual content were not as graphic as they were. Along with those things, the setting feels dirty. So for that reason I’m giving it a “Rental.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
No. We do see a nude woman on a TV screen and penis graffiti is seen in the background, and tattooed on a major character’s arm. There are 45 uses of the F-word, 16 uses of the S-word and several other profanities.

There are several battles between people and robots. Some of them are very graphic.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. What does Deon hope to accomplish?


2. What does he call himself to Chappie?

Read Nehemiah 9:6

You alone are the LORD. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them You give life to all of them And the heavenly host bows down before You.


3. According to this passage who is the true Maker?


4. How does Chappie interact with his maker?


5. How should we interact with our Maker?