Rakka

Blomkamp and the aliens for the hundredth time, again in a different way. According to Mr. Scott, his dream version of a direct follow-up to Cameron is dead, but even Sigourney Weaver's faith in his talent makes me hope that this just might actually work someday, unlike "Half-Life 3." Compromise is a forbidden word for Blomkamp, so he looks for loopholes in the system to push his vision to a wider audience in a different way. Digital platforms are powerful, and while I'd prefer to see this unkempt, dirty, and technically very cleverly masked poor budget spectacle on the big screen, I'll still be glad to see it made sometime rather than never. (18/06/2017)

Great idea and decently made, only it somehow fizzles out into the void because of the open ending, something I couldn’t have done without. 65% (13/10/2017)

The introduction gives hope that this time it will finally be a functional sci-fi world where the central idea will succeed. However, the remaining two volumes prove, as expected, that it will not be about the characters or the development of the plot this time either, but will once again be about a few impressive images stitched together so superficially that I will be sending Ridley Scott dozens of thank-you letters for (at least for now) canceling plans for Alien 5 with Sigourney Weaver. As it happens, Neill Blomkamp tragically underuses the main star, occasionally adopting the mantra of "dirt, blood, aliens", and occasionally failing. He has been making the same thing for twelve years without trying to move anywhere. Which is fascinating, but all the more frustrating. (21/06/2017)

Blomkamp's bleak post-apocalyptic tale of invasive agamids is dominated by engaging body-horror elements and a characteristic dirt-and-dust visual, but the characters and their dialogue do little to shape it. Regardless, the creative skills, supported by a Ripley logo, are stamped onto a business card that gatekeeper Scott should receive at the entrance to the Alien club. Perhaps it will work out someday. (08/09/2023)

Blomkamp's most boring short from Oats Studios isn't outright bad, but it's too long and gives the impression that everything we see we've already seen elsewhere. It’s shame, mainly because of Sigourney Weaver. (23/01/2018)

An average sci-fi movie that, if it were to be converted into a feature-length format, would necessarily have to be polished, because compared to District 9 or its short-lived predecessor, Rakka just didn't impress or charm me that much. (01/09/2017)

A striving and entertaining cheap post-apocalyptic short about humans surviving in a world after an alien invasion. I liked the visuals, the attractive cinematography and the position of the narrator of the story, and the familiar faces from supporting roles in other films. Unfortunately I'm not happy with the result though, the finale was cut off before it even started and the open ending makes the film's narrative value look terrible. Too bad. (04/10/2021)

Neill Blomkamp and his creation District 9 hold a special place in my heart, so I’m hoping for a similarly successful film from him in the future. That’s not to say that Chappie and Elysium aren’t good films, but they just don’t reach the quality of District 9. Rakka is an interesting concept from a studio I wasn’t familiar with, and the film focuses on humanity being gradually exterminated by alien colonizers. I really liked how the short film was made (even the best Hollywood blockbusters wouldn’t be ashamed of those effects), and the story itself isn’t bad either. We’ll see if enough money is raised for a full-length feature, as it definitely has potential. I give it 81%. (20/06/2017)