CHAPPIE

Director: Neill Blomkamp
Writers: Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell
Stars: Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman
Strength: Story, script, effects and action 
Weakness: Reminiscent of many other robot movies
Runtime: 120 minutes
Rating: 3.5/5

Plot: In the near future, crime is patrolled by a mechanized police force. When one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, he becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself.

Review:  Chappie is the new film from District 9 and Elysium director Neil Blomkamp, and it fits in perfectly as a thematic sequel to his previous feature films, using the terrain and culture of his South Africa homeland. Chappie focuses on a future where robot police enforce law. One of the new units is stolen by some local criminals and begins a unique life learning on his own – a life that makes him a threat to forces (Sigourney Weaver and Hugh Jackman) who don't want A.I. entities usurping humanity. 'Slumdog Millionaire' star Dev Patel plays inventor Deon who reprograms one of the decommissioned robots (along with the assistance of two individuals of South African rap-rave group Die Antwoord) leading to Chappie seeing them as his parental figures as well as him focusing on the concepts of compassion, existentialism, and even nonconformity. It now proves that Chappie can be much more than just an obedient robot, but can actually express himself in ways the average human cannot comprehend. This is where Chappie, despite being like every other robot movie, is vastly different. Blomkamp is a visionary in the director's chair, and with Chappie, 

he brings us a robot who we not only can fall in love with, but also relate to and cheer on. The story is nothing extraordinary, but how it is portrayed on screen, and with great acting from a cast of people most of who do not fit the blockbuster profile, makes Chappie a truly enjoyable experience. This is also Hugh Jackman's only antagonistic role of late, and he plays the one-dimensional character to perfection as well.

Reviewed by Mohammad Haque