Some movies are victims of their own hype. Sometimes they’re victims of a previous movie’s hype. “Chappie” is the latter. Actually, the victim of two movies’ hype. Many reviewers’ expectations, I feel, were raised ridiculously high by Neil Blomkamp’s “District 9”, in an instant sci-fi classic. At the same time, the reviewers seem to have been predisposed to think the worst by the rushed-feeling and underwritten “Elysium”. They wanted a punching bag, and “Chappie” is it.

Is “Chappie” good? In my opinion, it’s very good. Not quite at “District 9” levels, but entertaining, heartfelt, well-rounded and amazingly realized. It’s a worthy entry in the Neil Blomkamp oeuvre and can stand proudly beside “District 9”. The character of Chappie is relatable and lovable and iconic. Even his rapper mannerisms are adorable, thanks to long-time Blomkamp collaborator Sharlto Copley, who did the motion capture work for Chappie.

The FX are incredible, Chappie himself being more or less photo-real the duration of the movie. Seriously, “Chappie” raises the bar of what movies are capable of, technically, and provides a solid piece of science fiction entertainment at the same time. The movie is fast and fun, and it has some wonderful things to say about the impressionability of children and how their surroundings can shape them. Like “District 9”, it ends in a fascinating place, one that almost begs for a sequel. That said, it’s a very satisfying stand-alone film, and it brings me to another point.

I don’t want Blomkamp to make the new Alien movie. Not because I don’t think he’s good enough, and not, conversely, because I don’t think the material is good enough for him. No, my reasons are twofold. A) Because I have a hard time believing Blomkamp’s very particular aesthetic and tone can be adapted to the Alien-verse, and B) It shouldn’t have to. I want to see Neil Blomkamp making Neil Blomkamp movies, not movies based on other properties.

I think his sensibilities would pervert the tone of the Alien-verse and drive it down the wrong path, and it would be a waste of his time in the sense that I would prefer him making his own original science fiction films, or whatever else he wants to make. He’s a vital force of originality in the movie biz these days. Let’s keep him that way.

Neil, if you’ve got some ideas for the Alien-verse, great, by all means use your influence to get the movie made, but please don’t write and direct it. Produce it, possibly, but that’s it. Go make your next original masterpiece. You’ve just perfected your tone and your world. Show us what’s next.