'Chappie" could almost be described as "Three Thugs and a Baby Bot." Though the story raises Isaac Asimov-like issues of good vs. evil in the context of robot technology and its human creators, philosophy takes a back seat as family sentiments sashay to center stage. The titular character is a robot and, having been "born" into the world with a conscious mind, Chappie wants to be loved, understood and driven around in an SUV while head-splitting rap booms out over the speakers. So far, pretty adorable, I guess.

But not for long. "Chappie" is heavily political, with a low, persistent hum of colonialist undertones despite it being set in the very near future of 2016. If left to his own, ah, devices, Chappie could have become a happy kid, albeit one made of titanium and programmed with artificial intelligence. However, the adults (read: white people with guns) step in and teach Chappie to "be strong and tough," use weapons and kill the supposed enemy in the name of protecting his "own people."

After that, there's no turning back for Chappie. He has morphed into a soldier, and the more he blows up tanks and guns down platoons of other robots, the more his guardians cheer him on. In the process, Chappie has less freedom, his independence is thwarted and he almost stops thinking for himself.