Of Robocop's violent satire and anime's surreal presentation...

Rating: 10/10 (14 August 2009)

*mild spoilers* (do not continue if you want full wow factor, until you see the movie)
This was amazing. First of all, there are no lulls in the film. There's either mystery, when we wonder what's going on, or tension, or dazzlement in the form of action or effects.
The effects were amazing. Bladerunner and Alien happened at night. Most other sci-fi films happen in the black of space. Most of this movie happens in the full sun of South Africa. The CGI lighting was so perfect and the action so fast-paced that it was hard to tell there was any CGI at all. It's all done in documentary style, mostly shaky camera, mixed in with news footage and security camera footage so it just feels real.
The way humans treat the aliens is a chilling satire on racism, the way I've seen in 1950's history books in America. Whether this is reminiscent of present-day Johannesburg I don't know. The poor naive hero is so calm and blasé about all the violence and racism that occurs around him, as he shows off to the documentary film crew. Plot-wise, fans of sci-fi in movies and literature will see the influences of Clarke's "Childhood's End", Veerhoven's "Robocop", and the Alien Nation TV series. But, gosh, that CGI was just amazing. If just for the sight of a live action MechWarrior, you've got to see this thing. In fact, the entire movie had the feel of a live action Japanese anime. Fans of RoboCop, AlienNation, anime, & MechWarrior have GOT to see this movie.
THIS is the way sci-fi SHOULD be, with technology as an everyday occurrence that's taken for granted by all but the audience. It's like an "Airplane" joke that happens in the background. Technology and effects are not in the front in this movie. They're in the background, and they still wow us, but the story takes the lead. Awesome movie all around. I can't wait for the inevitable sequel.