Transcendence

Watch: Transcendence

PG-13

4/17/20141h 59m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ Yesterday, Dr. Will Caster was only human... ~

Overview:

Two leading computer scientists work toward their goal of Technological Singularity, as a radical anti-technology organization fights to prevent them from creating a world where computers can transcend the abilities of the human brain.

Director:

Wally Pfister

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$100,000,000.00

Revenue:

$103,039,258.00

Key words:

mind control
artificial intelligence (a.i.)
computer virus
technology
nanotechnology
super computer
resurrection
love
terrorism
scientist
extremist
moral dilemma
computer scientist
mind transfer
quantum computer
mind uploading
thoughtful
absurd

Cast

Johnny Depp

~ as ~

Dr. Will Caster

Rebecca Hall

~ as ~

Evelyn Caster

Paul Bettany

~ as ~

Max Waters

Cillian Murphy

~ as ~

Agent Donald Buchanan

Kate Mara

~ as ~

Bree

Cole Hauser

~ as ~

Colonel Stevens

Morgan Freeman

~ as ~

Joseph Tagger

Clifton Collins Jr.

~ as ~

Martin

Cory Hardrict

~ as ~

Joel Edmund

Falk Hentschel

~ as ~

Bob

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

j
jw
Written 3 year(s) ago
4
flat as empty paper

When the FBI guy (Cillian Murphy) gives a clueless monologue for the first time, I wondered whether that was a potshot. The second time, it became clear the writer has no clue what he's writing about. No, the blender meme wasn't about Luddism. Plots involving AIs have been around for decades, and they always require a good amount of suspension of disbelief. But they should never be stupid. (Nor should the AIs.) Here, both are.

There is no depth to the story, no suspense, no unexpected developments either. These topics - AI, Nanites, Dr. Frankenstein improving the world - has been written about competently, oftentimes. A good copy would've done. When this script tries to be deep, philosophical even, it fails.

But that's not the worst of it.

The only actor to get to express some (some!) emotional range and depth is Rebecca Hall in her role as Eveyln Caster. The other actors, good as they are, have very little to work with - all the characters are flat and schematic. The partner: loving. The concerned friend: despairing. The father figure: caring. The terrorists: self-righteous. The FBI: sober. The townspeople: stupid hicks. And so on.

The obvious questions don't get asked, the less obvious - hey, the AI and a number of characters are supposed to be highly intelligent! - aren't asked either. And so the movie plods along to its expected end.

Even acclaimed actors have a hard time to breathe life and sense in a papier mâché puppet.

"Transcendence" (2014) is another WOMBAT: Waste Of Money, Brains, And Time. Don't waste yours.