If cinema has taught us anything, it's that we should be scared of robots. They're cold, calculating, brilliant killers, capable of making that logical decision that we all fear - that humans are a bit rubbish and shouldn't be allowed to kill the Earth. We can't think of an android since Wall-E that's shown the softer side of robotics. This generation needs a Short Circuit, a Batteries Not Included. It needs Chappie.
The latest sci-fi project from South African director Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium), Chappie follows a familiar robotics trope: a young engineer Deon (Dev Patel) tinkers with a wrecked android, giving him a self-awareness and ability to learn. Chappie thus matures like a young child, learning about the world around him and himself, while others - like Vincent (Hugh Jackman) - look upon the innocent droid as an unknown threat.
With a cast including the likes of Sigourney Weaver and Blomkamp's go-to star Sharlto Copley, we can't wait to have our hearts broken by this modern Pinocchio.
Chappie arrives in cinemas on 6 March 2015
