Column 28: Die Antwoord Teaches a Robot How to “Enter the Ninja” in Chappie
For anyone who’s seen Neill Blomkamp’s previous films, it’s no secret that he has a strong affection for his home country of South Africa. While other directors after achieving blockbuster success with a film like District 9 might see it as their ticket out of such an impoverished nation, Blomkamp has displayed a commitment to showing the world his home rarely seen on film. In his latest, Chappie, Blomkamp once again continues his embrace of South Africa, this time with the risky casting of unique South African rap duo, Die Antwoord, in lead roles. I say with some degree of surprise, the risk kind of pays off, the duo that makes up Die Antwoord both deliver fairly solid performances. Lead rapper Ninja gives a complex performance as a gangster who’s often as funny as he is brutishly violent and intimidating. While female vocalist Yolandi delivers a charmingly unique twist on[...]