10 Best Artificial Intelligence Movies Of The Last Decade

“I don’t want to die. I want to live.”

In a not-too-distant future South Africa, crime is patrolled by an automated mechanical police force. When a failing police drone is re-programmed with advanced intelligence, the newly self-aware droid starts to learn about the violent world in which he has been born.

Unfairly placed within the shadow of Neill Blomkamp’s much-loved debut, District 9, Chappie far exceeds the negative limitations of the initial critical bashing it received. In fact, it’s an all around great movie which is as visually pleasing as it is entertaining.

With his robust metallic exterior, it’s initially quite difficult to empathise with the newly aware hunk of machinery. However, Sharlto Copley’s superbly naive and comical voiceover performance, coupled with Chappie’s adorable childlike nature, make it impossible to resist sympathising for the lovable machine. Watching Chappie struggle between the influences of his friendly and positive “creator” (Dev Patel) and the darkly comical nature of his gangster captors (real life rap group, Die Antwoord) is a highly entertaining reminder of our own struggles with the influences that shape our development.

Chappie’s “gangster number one” routine is especially entertaining and reason enough to watch this movie.