Ex Machina (2015)

Written and Directed by Alex Garland
Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac and Sonoya Mizuno

A young programmer is selected to participate in a breakthrough experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breathtaking female A.I.

An eerie and unsettling science fiction film, "Ex Machina" is quite a unique film. We have seen countless films about the dangers of artificial intelligence and robotic uprisings, but I cannot think of a single film that shows the beginning. With the distrust of robots many movie goers, or at least myself have gained from decades of robotic dystopian futures displayed in film, there is a tension caused not by the film itself, but a natural, internal tension we have been bred to feel with movies such as this.

In a film that I felt so sure of what was going on, I constantly doubted myself and would flip-flop between theories and the paranoia that the protagonist felt. Ava, the A.I. that the protagonist is hired to study, is so charming, yet creates a sense of unease that you can't shake no matter how smitten you are with her emotions.

The director did an magnificent job at creating doubt in the minds of the audience. With the remote setting, and the military-like fortress in which they reside imposed a feeling of claustrophobia, even when they were outdoors.

Films such as this are difficult to write about. There is so much to be said, but most of it is impossible to explain without giving away key information about the film. I guess I'll just end this with saying that this film is unreal.

My Rating: 9/10

Chappie (2015)

Directed by Neill Blomkamp
Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Thatchell
Starring Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Ninja and Yo-Landi Visser

In the future, crime is patrolled by an oppressive mechanized police force. When one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, he becomes the first robot with pure artificial intelligence; the ability to think for himself.

The only problem with Neill Blomkamp as a director is that he struck gold with his first film. "District 9" was a masterpiece with a heart that no science fiction film will ever duplicate. At least not for a long time. What all critics need to realize is that Blomkamp is a science fiction film director. He will never NOT make a Sci-fi movie. It's his genre. It's his trademark.

Because so many critics have the cynicism of a film student who thinks that just because AFI says "Citizen Kane" is the best film ever made, he has to agree with it, they are especially critical when it comes to Science Fiction. Apparently, it's a law or something. And with the political tones of "District 9", many of them decided to overlook the foundation of it's genre.

Unfortunately for Blomkamp, for the rest of his career, critics will be expecting him to surpass, or at the very least, meet the brilliance of his first film. The chances of that are slim to none, and everyone needs to realize this and watch every single on of his films as if it's a new director. They need to disassociate it with the 2009 Best Picture nominee all together. Then perhaps, a decent film like "Chappie" will get the chance it deserves to be given a fair review.

But I digress…

As I said, this is a decent movie. While it's outer shell reveals a plot about a robot who can think for himself, at it's core it is so much more. It is a movie about the importance of life and how we must use the time we are given to be ourselves, never let anyone tell us how to be and overall, be good to each other.

One of the biggest stories behind this film is the inclusion of South Africa's hip-hop duo Die Antwoord. They were much of the inspiration for the story, as they played themselves as the two parents who raise Chappie. And while there are mumblings of turmoil on set caused by Ninja, it was not noticeable on screen and the two gave surprisingly good performances, regardless of their lack of experience. 

They weren't ground breaking or even amazing for that matter. But they were decent. Over the top, yes, but I believed them in their surroundings and expected MUCH worse from them and I've seen much worse from people who actually call themselves actors. I'd give them a C+ Overall.

But that hair, though…

I guess in all of these potentially incoherent ramblings I'm trying to say is that it's not as bad as everyone  is saying. It is a fun movie with good action sequences and great comedic relief. It may not be "District 9", but what did you really expect from a movie released in March ("Grand Budapest Hotel" excluded)?

My Rating: 6/10