As far as recent sci-fi films go, this is the best of the decade. It puts story and characters first and holds your attention the entire time. It’s the kind of film that Chappie (also released this year) should’ve been!
Caleb (Domhnal Gleeson), a young programmer is selected to participate in an experiment by Nathan (Oscar Isaac), the reclusive CEO of the company he works for to evaluates the female A.I. he has developed.
This is the kind of sci-fi film that leans more on story and ideas as opposed to action and effects, which is all for the best. It engages you intellectually and raises questions such as: Where does sexuality and attraction come from? Why are we attracted to certain features and qualities? Can A.I. ever be relatable to humans? The film becomes more intriguing and tense as it moves along as Caleb finds that he is bonding with and becoming attracted to Ava (Alicia Vikander), the female A.I. he is administrating the Turning test to.
The relationship between these three characters is really what makes the film. Caleb is a likeable guy and Nathan saw good qualities in him, which is why he was selected for the test. Nathan himself while reclusive has more of a free spirited attitude and isn’t a cliché uptight CEO character type (although he still has a dark side). Ava herself really passes as human, and slowly convinces Caleb that Nathan is not really who he’s making himself out to be and has ulterior motives. There’s a lot of manipulation throughout as well as some awkward moments of robosexuality. All three of the main actors do a remarkable job.
On top of the strong writing and acting, the film is well made technically speaking too. The cinematography is breathtaking and the overall look of the film is so refined and polished. The set design is superb and the music is so fitting throughout. Overall, it’s an impressive sci-fi film from writer/director Alex Garland about the horror of A.I. becoming sentient and possessing the capability of deception.
No comments:
Post a Comment