Movie Review 145: Chappie

Hello all!

So I'm gonna spring right into the review this time. I have some Non-blog work to do!

Anyway I just got back from seeing Neill Blomkamp's third film Chappie. Loved his first and hated his second. But how is his third outing?

I'll have some spoilers in here for sure so if those scare you....Well, Tough!

Movie Review: Chappie

Pros:
I went into this film with very very low expectations. The reviews have been absolutely horrible for it and it's been slammed by just about everyone I know. Yet, somehow I really enjoyed it. It's not his best movie but I generally really liked it.

Chappie was a fascinating character. I never quite thought he was a sentient robot but I loved his childlike persona. I enjoyed how he evolved as a character over the course of the movie. Seeing a robot flail around like a child was new to me.

One thing Blomkamp can do very well is the Dystpian technology. This movie had some amazing shots and CGI in it. the shot of Chappie getting a molotov to the head or getting shot in the chest early on were gorgeous. I really enjoyed the visuals and even the (basically) Detroit looking locations fit the tone of the movie. run down but futuristic.

Dev patel did a pretty good job with his role, but Sharlto Copley absolutely stole the show as Chappie. He brought a lot of heart to the movie. a whole lot more than I thought it would. I really liked how it went into the Consciousness transferring. It made for a unique ending. Well except for District 9...I guess that was the same.

Cons:
Explain to me why Die Antwoord was in this? I mean, they look different but they can't act. Yolandi at least added some heart and humanity to the film. Ninja just swore an walked around as himself. It was also really distracting to continually see Die Antwoord propaganda throughout the whole thing. The music was fine but cut down on the Product placement.

Ninja was fine when he was mad but the rest was just bad. It was more distracting than unique.

Other than them the overall story felt just a little bland. It took ideas from other movies and threw them together. which leads me to the editing. at times the editing brought me out of the movie and brought focus to itself. nothing terrible but bad for sure.

Final Notes:
I was pleasantly surprised by this. It's not a perfect movie but it's much better than I thought it would be.

Final Verdict: 83


Now to get actual writing done!

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