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ROBOTROPOLIS (2011)

Directed by Christopher Hatton
Written by Christopher Hatton
Starring Zoe Naylor, Graham Sibley, Lani John Tupu, Edward Foy, Jourdan Lee, Karina Sindicich, Peer Metze, Tonya Cornelisse

I’ve read a couple of unfavorable reviews about this film, but wanted to check it out nevertheless because of the trailer. I’m glad I did. What attracted me to ROBOTROPOLIS was the Paul Verhoeven feel I got from the trailer. The scenes of these robots running amok reminded me of the batty utopian commercials which permeated both ROBOCOP and STARSHIP TROOPERS. The herky-jerky robots of ROBOTROPOLIS seemed to be the bastard offspring of a Jawa droid sand transport and the ED 209 robot. I was intrigued and couldn’t wait to see the film.

Having seen the film, I understand the problems some might have with ROBOTROPOLIS, but despite that fact, it was a hell of a fun time. The main detractor of this film is the illusion of scope it tries to convey. Filmmaker Christopher Hatton tries to make a big budget film, but it falls short of epic despite the fairly fantastic robot effects. Hatton wants this film to be larger than life but doesn’t seem to be able to fill the entire screen with the rampaging robots promised on the poster. While there is a lot of action going on, the wide shots sometimes fail to achieve that grand scope because of limited extras and even more limited number of rampaging robots.

Despite its failed promise of blockbuster epic-ness, ROBOTROPOLIS is a lot of fun. Like DISTRICT 9, this film, for the most part, seamlessly incorporates fantastic effects with real world actors on a low budget. Like the aforementioned Verhoeven films, Hatton has a nice comedic sensibility, making the robots interactions somewhat farcical and ironic as they serve as public servants to an oil rig island utopia walking kids to school and taking out trash for their masters.

The film also successfully mixes its story with news reports by following a news crew (led by journalist Christine Nouveau, played by THE REEF’s Zoe Naylor) as they have the exclusive on an interview with the robot’s creator played with distinguished geek chic by Lani John Tupu which is interrupted by the on camera murder of a civilian by a robot. Soon all of the robots are attacking the human populace and the news crew desperately struggle to survive.

This film ends before we know whether or not this robot rebellion becomes a worldwide phenomenon, so though the robot apocalypse is only hinted at here, it does do a decent job of depicting the beginning. I went into ROBOTROPOLIS with an open mind and came out entertained. With some decent acting and some nicely done effects, there’s a lot to like about ROBOTROPOLIS despite its shortcomings.

Check out the trailer here!!