'Blu-ray or Bust' - CHAPPIE

'Blu-ray or Bust'

CHAPPIE (2015, R, 120 minutes, MRC/COLUMBIA PICTURES)

My favorite movie of all time is Ridley Scott’s ALIEN.  When I first saw the film at the ripe old age of 10, I had no freaking clue what I was watching.

Three Stephen King books and four years later, when I watched it a second and third time, I finally understood the artistry and wonder that cinema could truly be.  And with Scott’s release of BLADE RUNNER in 1982, it cemented him in my mind as 'The Master' of science fiction cinema.  Spielberg was good, but Scott was…bloody realistic.

Fast forward to 2009, and Neill Blomkamp bursts upon the scene with a truly masterful vision of a post-alien invaded South Africa in DISTRICT 9.  The man’s voice and vision were rich and pure, and, like Scott, was showing the world the possibilities in science fiction cinema again.  Science fiction, at its classic core, is all about morality, and the struggle of man to survive in an alien or advanced environment.

But instead of following it up with another masterpiece like Scott did, he hit a barrier with ELYSIUM.  The movie just wasn’t that good.  Again, I wasn’t sure I had any freaking clue but I was watching—and not in a good way.  It was entertaining, yet his voice had gone from visionary subtlety to screaming at the world like an angry baby.  Not everyone’s sophomore film turns out to be an instant classic, so you have to cut the guy a little slack.

And now there’s CHAPPIE, Blomkamp’s third feature film.  Whereas it is better than ELYSIUM, it still isn’t BLADE RUNNER quality.  It is at its core a muffled morality tale with some nifty action sequences, bookended by the world’s most annoying female voice.  In a move that borders on insanity, Blomkamp hired rappers “Ninja”, who plays toughie bad guy “Ninja”, and Yo-Landi Visser as—wait now, did he?  Yep.  Her character name is Yo-Landi.  Wonder how much peyote Blomkamp has been snorting?

Chappie himself is voiced by Blomkamp favorite Sharlto Copley, whose mechanized voice gives the robot the right amount of emotion, which can be interpreted as “angry thug” by the time you get to the climax.  The only real standout here is the special effects; not even an over-the-top Hugh Jackman as a corporate baddie can save this, personality wise.

The movie isn’t all bad; it is entertaining, but Blomkamp’s voice seems toned down.  Morality isn’t at the forefront.  Jackman’s “Vincent” doesn’t want to destroy Chappie because of the implications of his artificial intelligence, he wants to stop him to make way for his big and bulky ED-209 rip-off.  Apparently, it's all about the Benjamins.

Now, Blomkamp needs to step up his game.  He is currently in development on the next ALIEN film.  He better get his voice back.  He better not screw it up like those ALIEN VS PRETADOR dork holes did.  If he goes back to his DISTRICT 9 roots, we could be in for a pleasant surprise.  If not…well, at least Scott starts principle photography on PROMETHEUS II in February.

Film Grade: C

Special Features: B

Blu-ray Necessary: For the effects, and Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack, YES.  But for the World’s Most Irritating Female Voice?  I think not.  That’s one example of how you DO NOT want your surround sound turned up…