If not for the fact that District 9 and Elysium helmer, South Africa’s own Neill Blomkamp was the go-to-guy at one point earlier on for an Alien film, there’s a reason why filmgoers love him. Simply put, while the former title does outweigh the latter in some areas, he’s good at what he does, and clearly it shows. Alas when you look at his latest offering in the new sci-fi thriller, Chappie, of course you might be thinking Short Circuit by way of iRobot and Robocop, and you may be right, as well in for another possible cinematic treat!
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 anyone else: he is a robot. The first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself. His life, his story, will change the way the world looks at robots and humans forever.
Sharlto Copley reunites with Blomkamp in a career that has seen our actor in many larger-than-life dimensions, even as his inherited role from Scott Bakula in the A-Team remake was shortlived. Time and again, the two prove consistently to be a formula that work, and Chappie certainly aims to do the same, featuring a stellar cast that includes Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel, Alien franchise star Sigourney Weaver and X-Men favorite Hugh Jackman, in addition to an assortment of deadly robots and awesome mech gear. Yes, this looks awesome.
