Review of Chappie (2015) by Raymond0256 — 08 Mar 2015

From an Engineer's and Computer Scientist's point of view, Chappie explores the ideas of computer intelligence, robots as tools, the basis of consciousness, human nature, mortality, creation, and many other important themes.

Chappie is surrounded by realistic characters that have a desire to create better intelligence and people who fear computer consciousness, people who view machines as lovable and those who view them as merely tools.

Chappie must sort through these views and face his own mortality just like any person would, without the over the top action of Transcendence or the muddled physics of time travel from Terminator. I have not only seen these themes examined, sometimes badly, in other pieces of art, but these are themes that real scientists and engineers are exploring with current technology, such as emotional bonding with robots based on vocal and facial cues.

I eat this stuff up, and I hope that at the very least it will make everyone think about these themes in a meaningful way. I think much of the negativity toward this film is based on either not understanding the field of artificial intelligence or not identifying with what could be considered a "good" character, but I urge that even if you do not view robots as "human" that you at least consider all sides of the discussion critically.