Director: Wally Pfister
Writer: Jack Paglen (Screenplay)
Starring: Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, Paul Bettany, Cillian Murphy, Kata Mara, Cole Hauser, Morgan Freeman, Clifton Collins Jr, Cory Hardrict, Josh Stewart
Plot: Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp) is the foremost researcher in the field of Artificial Intelligence, working to create a sentient machine that combines the collective intelligence of everything ever known with the full range of human emotions. His highly controversial experiments have made him famous, but they have also made him the prime target of anti-technology extremists who will do whatever it takes to stop him. However, in their attempt to destroy Will, they inadvertently become the catalyst for him to succeed-to be a participant in his own transcendence. For his wife Evelyn (Rebecca Hall) and best friend Max Waters (Paul Bettany), both fellow researchers, the question is not if they can…but if they should. Their worst fears are realized as Will’s thirst for knowledge evolves into a seemingly omnipresent quest for power, to what end is unknown. The only thing that is becoming terrifyingly clear is there may be no way to stop him.
Verdict: Intelligent Film Reaching New Levels
Story: We have seen plenty of films through the years that focus on an intelligent computer system trying to take over but what if the computer started out as a human mind? This is the question we get asked here and even though you could argue both sides of the fence about which is right and wrong. This film doesn’t seem to give you a definitive villain or hero, it is up to you to decided which you believe to be good or bad. This will test you to choose a side, it will test you on how to react to a change that could very well start happening soon. So switch the brain on and watch. (8/10)
Actor Review
Johnny Depp: Will Caster the genius computer programmer who has spent his life trying to create the next level of artificial intelligence, but when he life is cut short he becomes the test subject in putting his mind into a computer. He soon starts to evolve his intelligence to levels no one thought was possible. It is hard to really rate Depp’s performance as most of it is a voice over while in computer form, but he does keep you interested in what will be said and done next. (8/10)
Rebecca Hall: Evelyn Caster Will’s wife who puts his mind into the computer and runs away to help him build his intelligence but she soon can’t believe how far he has come. Good performance showing how far you would go for love. (7/10)
Paul Bettany: Max Walters a trusted friend and colleague who helps transfer Will’s mind but after being kidnapped by the anti-technology group learns the error of his ways and comes up with a plan to stop Will. Good performance showing how someone can learn from their mistakes. (7/10)
Cillian Murphy: Agent Buchanan he is In charge of trying to stop Will once his power gets too much, but give the people with the plan whatever they need to stop him. Good supporting performance. (7/10)
Kata Mara: Bree the leader of the anti-technology group out to stop any new waves in technology at any means, she leads her people along with the FBI in a wave to stop Will. Good performance in a supporting role. (7/10)
Morgan Freeman: Joseph Tagger another one of Will’s colleagues who is against the idea from the start but stays a friend the others and tries to help Evelyn before it is too late. Good supporting performance. (7/10)
Director Review: Wally Pfister – Brave attempt in his first strides into directing offering an intelligent film. (8/10)
Mystery: You have to keep watching to work out what the mystery is and figure out what is happening. (9/10)
Sci-Fi: A very real look at what could happen in the future with all our technological advances. (10/10)
Thriller: Tries to keep you involved but has moments when it lets the suspense go. (7/10)
Settings: Good settings used throughout with the dessert being a great setting for the final showdown. (8/10)
Special Effects: Great special effects used, not over using them but making them important when needed. (10/10)
Suggestion: I think it would be fair to say this won’t be for everyone, but if you give it a go you might get a better reward than you think. (Give It A Go)
Best Part: Going Transcendent.
Worst Part: Has slow moments
Action Scene Of The Film: Attack on the base.
Believability: It could happen in the future but for now we are not that far yet. (5/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: Unlikely
Box Office: $103 Million
Budget: $100 Million
Runtime: 2 Hours
Tagline: What if a new intelligence was born?
Overall: Smart, Too Smart For Its Own Good
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