Chappie,
directed by Neill Blomkamp
(R, 114 minutes)
Good-looking cinematography and the intriguing idea of combining artificial-intelligence science fiction with a law enforcement adventure can't overcome the fact that Chappie veers wildly from one genre to the other, ultimately succeeding at neither.
Here's the story: In the near future, crime is patrolled by a robotic police force. When a police droid known as Chappie is stolen by a desperately ambitious programmer named Deon (Dev Patel, in overdrive mode) and given new programming, he develops the ability to think and feel for himself, if by "himself" you mean a cute little kid. Still, he's powerful (titanium body and all) and capable of anything. So when authorities begin to see Chappie as a danger, they will stop at nothing to ensure he is the last of his kind.
With Sigourney Weaver, Hugh Jackman, Sharlto Copley.
The Blu-ray features an alternate ending and nine behind-the-scenes featurettes with Weaver, Jackman and Patel discussing their characters and experiences on set; highlights about Chappie the robot; casting and motion capture; and an inside look at the film's high-action stunt sequences. Also available in collectible digibook packaging, the Blomkamp3 Limited Edition Blu-ray Collection will include a 64-page booklet featuring artwork and notes from other Blomkamp films, District 9 and Elysium.
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Playing It Cool (R, 94 minutes) It's all talk and no action in this going-nowhere self-absorbed comedy about an oily not-successful rom-com screenwriter who, while masquerading as a philanthropist at a charity dinner, meets the woman of his dreams. Naturally, she's unavailable, so off they go down the platonic route. And we all know how that turns out. With a far-better-than-it-needs-to-be cast that includes Chris Evans (Captain America), Michelle Monaghan (Gone, Baby, Gone), Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation), Topher Grace (That '70s Show), Luke Wilson (Idiocracy); directed by Justin Reardon.
MovieStyle on 06/19/2015