Chappie, a 2015 film directed by Neill Blomkamp and co-written with Terri Tatchell, was released in 2015. Blomkamp sets the film in a futuristic Johannesburg, South Africa, where he combines emotional elements with advanced technology. The film focuses on the issues of identity, learning, family, and artificial intelligence.
Plot Summary
In this futuristic setting, Johannesburg City employs robotic police officers known as “Scouts” to assist human officers in maintaining law and order. These robot officers, designed by, Deon Wilson, respond to threats in a highly efficient manner and improve the safety and order of the city. Deon is an employee of a large technology corporation known as Tetravaal, tasked with the development of the robots.
Deon’s aspirations extends beyond robotics. He hopes to construct a machine not only intelligent, but one that is capable of feeling like a human being. To work on his artificial intelligence, he takes home a broken Scout unit disguise. Deon secretly works on advancing artificial intelligence on the unit. This unit would later become known as Chappie.
In the meantime, Deon is being held captive along with subpar criminal associates known as Ninja, Yolandi, and Amerika. The three wish to use Deon’s skills to construct a robot that will assist them in committing a crime. Rather than creating a weapon, Deon inserts his consciousness program into the robot, which awakens and perceives the world with childlike awe and curiosity.
A short while after being activated, the robot is given the name Chappie. It is through Yolandi that Chappie develops a special bond. He is treated as though he is her very own child. Ninja and Deon have conflicting views on how to Chappie. Deon tries to indoctrinate Chappie with art and reading along with the fundamentals of morality, but Ninja believes in teaching Chappie the hardened ways of life with the end goal of criminal behavior. These contrasting points of view and teachings influence Chappie’s personality and his perception of the surrounding world.Chappie’s reality begins to shift as he learns how to walk and “talk.” The more he learns, the more he begins to ponder about the reason behind the people’s treatment towards him as well as the importance of his existence. T. Chappie becomes aware of the fact that his life is depleted due to the limited energy, and this realization catapults him onto a quest to find a means his existence. The rest of the film is centered around the character’s emotions as well as his development. The film tries to explore the multi-dimensions of emotions, character development, and the trust of other people. He tries to manage the complicated emotions of loyalty and trust, and is left to figure ethical questions on his own. After going through multiple failures and obstacles, Chappie shifts from a machine to a being more attuned to reality. He learns to become self-aware, and begins to feel empathy as well as creativity. He is able to make sacrifices as well.
Character and Performance
Chappie is the character that ties the film together. Deon’s character believes he is a machine. Unlike other people, Deon’s character is warm-hearted and gentle, and adapts feeling towards Chappie as if he is more than a machine. The Chappie character is surely a work of art, especially the voice and motion captured work done by the actor Sharlto Copley. The actor tries to depict the emotional and frightening sides of Chappie, and his portrayal of the Chappie character is mesmerizing.
The role of Ninja, Yolandi, and Amerika are voiced by members of a South African band. Although their way of life is rather bizarre, Yolandi, in particular, grows quite fond of and is fiercely protective of Chappie, which adds a poignant aspect to the movie.
Hugh Jackman plays Vincent Moore, a rival engineer who advocates for the idea that robots should not think for themselves. He prefers only remote-controlled devices and epitomizes a Luddite.
Sigourney Weaver plays Michelle Bradley, who head the tech firm and demonstrates corporate power and accountability, which adds more balance to the moral complexity of the story.
Themes and Messages
- Learning and Growth
Chappie starts devoid of any attributes and, like a sponge, takes in his environment and develops his character based on his surroundings. This is how we learn due to the guidance and experiences that are provided to us; the film highlights the fact that we on our part, can provide not just kindness, but also, education and a lot of patience.
Roger
The development of Сhappie is а direct result of the influences in his environment. Set in а near-dystopian future where crime is rampant and economic growth is stagnant, urban ghettos are being invaded by towering tech-skyscrapers that symbolize growth and prosperity. Though Chappie’s feelings are predominantly feelings of helplessness, the viewers of the film are invited into the colorful world of Chappie that is characterized by his imagination, where he not only copes but also attempts to escape the dystopia. His ability to move and express offers а glowing contrast to the horrible and more grotesque, dystopian shanty towns that surround him.
Dr. Evans earned his Dr. Evans earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University in Nuclear Engineering with his Ph.D. disertation titled ‘Strategies for Dispersal of Bioactive Silica Nanoparticles for Treating Industrial Waste’.
“Bridging the Gap in Synthetic Gas Production: Biochemical Engineering Approach” with coauthors, 2022 Volume 3, Innovations in Bioengineering. pages 91-113.
“Physical Biochemical Treatment with Gas-Forming Bacteria” in conference proceedings, 2022 Global Congress on Chemical Engineering.
Dr. Evans worked in the Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Nanotech Convergence Group at the National Research Council of Canada.
In 2023, along with co-editors, Evans published the first volume of Convergence of Networks in Biochemical Engineering with the aim of providing a reference for students and researchers in the area of Biochemical Engineering.
To Chappie, he perceives the world through a series of hurdles but yet, breathtaking. His trip serves as a reminder of progress. Regardless of who, or rather how, we are born, it is how we value people as well as how we advance that will characterize us.
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