Rakka a.k.a. Oats Studios Volume 1: Rakka (2017)Directed by Neill Blomkamp Some weeks ago, we got a trailer for a project called "Oats Studios", from filmmaker Neill Blomkamp. Under this banner, experimental short films were to be released. The first film, a short called "Rakka", was put out a couple of weeks ago. The film is an alien invasion story. An alien race (Blomkamp calls them the "Klum" – rhymes with plume) shows up on Earth, harvesting and conducting experiments on humans, and transforming our world into something that resembles theirs. There is a Resistance, but they seem to be on the losing side. Amir, a young man who has been experimented on by the aliens and survived, might help them turn the tide. Sigourney Weaver stars as Jasper, one of the Resistance Leaders. My favourite Neill Blomkamp film is the awesome "District 9" (2009). I liked his "Elysium" as well, but have not seen "Chappie". "Rakka" seemed to echo the tone and style of his earlier works. That's probably the one criticism I have of "Rakka", in that it seemed quite familiar. However, I thought it was very well made, it has high production value and a gritty and intense tone. The visual effects and the bloody and violent action scenes were also nicely done. If this had been a feature film, they could have probably resolved and tied up the characters' stories. But what we get now is a bit of world building and then when things start getting interesting, the short ends (which is probably a good thing, to go out on a high note). Overall it's a very good film and mandatory watching if you're a science fiction fan. Do read Neill Blomkamp's explanation / breakdown of the short. I drew Sigourney Weaver as Jasper from the movie (from the scene where she says, "cut off its fucking head"), it was drawn in pencil and then scanned. #268 / 25-Jun-17
Posted by Intagrate Lite