Millennium Entertainment | Release Date: October 10, 2014
6.3
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 117 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
59
Mixed:
42
Negative:
16
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9
TothyOct 30, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the first time I write a review; I never did it before because of the difficulties I have expressing myself in my second language, but this film deserves so much more than it gets.
Due to all the terrible reviews i didn't know what to expect going into the film. But after watching it, I was pleasantly surprised. I find it beautiful and It is certainly one of my favorite films of 2014.

The premise looks a lot like I, Robot but the film isn't. Yes it does share the same subject of self aware robots and the main character that eventually sees beauty in the other kind and helps. but is herein still original and more realistic and believable. The film even managed to get me emotional in few parts and sitting on the tip of my seat multiple times without much violence and shooting. I like the atmosphere and scenery in this movie like for instance that of District 9 and Elysium and even the CGI is on par with much higher budget films.
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3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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9
SSROct 15, 2014
Ever since seeing the (excellent) trailer for Automata I was intrigued. But against a background of lacklustre reviews I was expecting to be disappointed. Thankfully, I wasn't. Whether intentional or not there are a number of cues from otherEver since seeing the (excellent) trailer for Automata I was intrigued. But against a background of lacklustre reviews I was expecting to be disappointed. Thankfully, I wasn't. Whether intentional or not there are a number of cues from other fiction, including the inevitable Asimov books in loose terms, and films such as Blade Runner and Until the End of the World. I was reminded a lot of the latter, as it felt like the film was very much a labour of love on a low budget, although it doesn't show too much. On this basis it might seem like an unoriginal property, but it manages to take all this and still do something original and interesting with it. I found the story, albeit not always fast paced, to be laced with atmosphere. This was helped by fantastic locations and sets, that conveyed a grimy future world, rather than a white shiny one. Antonio Banderas is excellent in the lead role - it's good to see him playing a tough genuine role - and surrounded by a wonderful and eclectic international cast. The special effects are also great, for the budget, and inevitably in your face a lot of the time in the form of the excellent robots. Clearly the robots are a mix of puppetry and CG, but it's hard to spot the join, and they work brilliantly as what are often key characters. There is a classic orchestral soundtrack that blends well with the rest of the film. So I'm somewhat bewildered as to why this film has, overall, got such poor reviews to-date. It's very much the smaller science fiction film, relying on story and characters, rather than set pieces and explosions. If you like that then definitely give it a try. Expand
7 of 11 users found this helpful74
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10
dtpshkaDec 26, 2014
Undereserved low ratings, true gem. I can't remember such great movie in last 10 years, maybee Sunshine can stand but I'm not sure. It's a deep movie full of love, philosophy and vision of real progress and evolution. If you're missingUndereserved low ratings, true gem. I can't remember such great movie in last 10 years, maybee Sunshine can stand but I'm not sure. It's a deep movie full of love, philosophy and vision of real progress and evolution. If you're missing something REAL nowdays, this peace of art is for you. Expand
6 of 10 users found this helpful64
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10
TrevorDevendorfFeb 3, 2015
What is with the low ratings? With no expectations, I stumbled on this movie on Netflix and its a good watch. Definitely not a blockbuster film, to me it's undeserved, and underrated, the cast is brilliant! A new cult film to put underWhat is with the low ratings? With no expectations, I stumbled on this movie on Netflix and its a good watch. Definitely not a blockbuster film, to me it's undeserved, and underrated, the cast is brilliant! A new cult film to put under Antonio Banderas' belt. The Robots depicted in this film are fairly believable. i'm all about cinematography, and this guy Alejandro Martínez is freaking amazing, his only work i know of is Wer (2013). Amazing direction by Gabe Ibáñez and Editing by Sergio Rozas Being a SF fan, i did see similarities to Blade Runner and I, Robot. A well written script by the director, it grips you emotionally and psychologically. This film is a new favourite! 10 out of 10 Expand
3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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10
crypto44x2Jan 14, 2015
What the f***? I can not understand the "professional critics". This is a great film, with a excellent photography, a great plot and a good performance and acting. I think that there is a complot against good spanish cinema, because in spainWhat the f***? I can not understand the "professional critics". This is a great film, with a excellent photography, a great plot and a good performance and acting. I think that there is a complot against good spanish cinema, because in spain the film is not released, but "ocho apellidos vascos" was advertised until the death. I think there is no hope in the humanity.

To death, you must be alive.
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3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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7
ScifixOct 13, 2014
If you are a fan of science fiction, especially the one dealing with deep subjects like "robot self-awareness" and "humanity" you will enjoy it for the most part. The problem with the movie is that it might as well been a short. Half of theIf you are a fan of science fiction, especially the one dealing with deep subjects like "robot self-awareness" and "humanity" you will enjoy it for the most part. The problem with the movie is that it might as well been a short. Half of the movie is spent doing nothing and some of the things that happen in the plot will leave you wondering and they don't lead to anything rewarding. There are a few moments of brilliance that make this movie worth watching once. Just lower your expectations from the trailer a bit. Expand
4 of 7 users found this helpful43
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9
slicshuterNov 3, 2014
I don't understand why this film has negative reviews. I found the film very interesting, as while it really gave the feel of a dystopian world, it also explored the ideas of evolution in contrast with robots and how they're minds evolve whenI don't understand why this film has negative reviews. I found the film very interesting, as while it really gave the feel of a dystopian world, it also explored the ideas of evolution in contrast with robots and how they're minds evolve when not biologically hindered. Expand
5 of 9 users found this helpful54
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9
LarkfeastOct 11, 2014
An excellent film. Contrasts human psychological evolution to robot (who are also created by humans) psychological evolution. If you are brain dead and need all action and no plot, then this film isn't for you.

Almost as good as Blade
An excellent film. Contrasts human psychological evolution to robot (who are also created by humans) psychological evolution. If you are brain dead and need all action and no plot, then this film isn't for you.

Almost as good as Blade runner, but not quite at that standard. 9/10. A Must see!
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5 of 10 users found this helpful55
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9
Tenchu13Dec 12, 2014
I have no idea why this movie scored so badly in the mainstream. Truly thought provoking and incredibly well shot, it deserves to be seen by anyone who likes to engage their brain while watching a film.
3 of 6 users found this helpful33
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7
adpirtleOct 24, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This film reminded me of District 9, in that the setup is far more interesting than the resolution, which, for the most part, eschews the sci-philosophical subject matter in favor of a paint-by-numbers industrial thriller, complete with villains who are far less fleshed out than the film's flesh-less robots. However, the first half really is very good, and the second half is good enough to make me wonder what an interesting film this might have made if it had dispensed with the evil henchmen and focused more on the robots' leader through its interactions with Jacq. Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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7
jrmegioApr 9, 2015
Another Sci-Fi apocalyptic film has hit the big screen, but rather than zombie virus, alien invasion, or war against other species it is the sun who causes the earth's demise. The sun is now spouting up continuous solar flares, an eruption ofAnother Sci-Fi apocalyptic film has hit the big screen, but rather than zombie virus, alien invasion, or war against other species it is the sun who causes the earth's demise. The sun is now spouting up continuous solar flares, an eruption of intense high-energy radiation from the sun's surface, causing electromagnetic disturbances on the earth, as with radio frequency communications and power line transmissions. Making the earth a large radioactive dust-bowl.

When a cop reported a robot fixing itself which is a violation of a protocol, Jack Vaucan a burned-out ROC's insurance agent was assigned to investigate, so that the company can avoid future costs that will ensue and to stop a clockwork from altering its robots to maintain the contract with the city's government.

This film served as a great entertainment in the sci-fi genre with its interesting plot, the depiction of earth's current state and the type of people living in that era. It is the first time that I watched Banderas in a film where he is not suave or Zorro character that my mind had boxed him in. Rather I saw him portray a normal employee that dreams of having a bright future for his family and also being burned-out of his everyday life and has been dreaming of living in the old days. This role has a sizable disparity from his last role in the movie Expendables 3.

This is a new genre entry for Ibanez a distinct taste comparing to his previous films. There is a scene that would make you question the robots protocols and would be better if they renew the scene so it would be more fitting to the story however its minor and unnoticeable even on the first watch. What I praise in this film is the main character Vaucan since he is so relatable to an average person. Comparing to other sci-fi films' main characters which are usually engineers, astronauts, physicists or scientists who are likely to save the world. On the other hand, we have an insurance agent wanted to finish the task that he is assigned and becomes involved in a larger than life truth about the future of humanity. This makes him so appealing because he is not attempting to be a hero or has the ability to solve what people are undergoing rather he is an ordinary man, with an ordinary job, wanting to live an ordinary life.

This film is not the first of its kind and I bet it's not going to be the last. Automata's easy to follow and fascinating plot is a well worth of your time.
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2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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8
VadertimeFeb 18, 2016
I gave this an 8, not because it is a particularly good movie, but because of the content and the way it explores the concept of Artificial Intelligence. Ex Machina is much more terrifying and realistic, where as this is both dark and mostlyI gave this an 8, not because it is a particularly good movie, but because of the content and the way it explores the concept of Artificial Intelligence. Ex Machina is much more terrifying and realistic, where as this is both dark and mostly neutral. Neither movie is as benign or marginally optimistic as Spielberg's "A.I." from over a decade ago. In this movie, there is a part where the president of the company is explaining the rapid evolution of the A.I. and how it supposedly stopped communicating with it. That singular piece of dialogue is the core of the movie and had the director and producers taken that and build a movie like Ex Machina around it, then they would had something. Still worth catching on Netflix. Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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8
JalalBlackJan 11, 2015
A worthy successor to Blade Runner and a must watch for Neo Noir and Asimov fans . What made it more enjoyable to me , is the use of classic special effects instead of the digital .
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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8
demondred79Dec 27, 2014
Ignore the overly harsh "professional" critics responses on this one. It certainly isn't without flaws but below 40 makes little sense and simply feels abusive.

Physical props, objects, and most importantly, ROBOTS, versus gobs of CGI
Ignore the overly harsh "professional" critics responses on this one. It certainly isn't without flaws but below 40 makes little sense and simply feels abusive.

Physical props, objects, and most importantly, ROBOTS, versus gobs of CGI really convinces the viewers that this is a realistic near future instead of a video game (I, Robot). Most of the story telling is smart and it held the attentions of not just myself but several family members who aren't into sci-fi, and they had the full option to leave the living room at will.

Here's what got the critics and myself annoyed: Crappy acting.
Antonio sucked...Mel sucked....pretty much everyone sucked except Dylan McDermott.
Secondly the midway trip into the desert scrambled the initial pull of the film.
Lastly, the robot mfg corporation (I forget the name) became the overly obvious "bad guys" without a solid explanation of why they were suddenly the bad guys. The intelligence of the movie took a dip on this one.

Ultimately it was a smart movie (smarter than the individual critics who reviewed it), with some smart visuals and dramatic pauses. The robots were appropriately twitchy with their motion instead of ultra smooth and unconvincing CGI crap. It will make you think but won't break your brain. It will stir your emotions for robotic beings when you didn't think that was possible.

Go watch it.
If it had better acting and tightened up a few things, this would have been a home run.
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1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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8
jlhg11Feb 13, 2015
Confused about the professional reviews too.... definitely a good movie. I do like it when some reviews are bad, but there are always good reviews to counter... but no good reviews?
Not as slow and artistic as some hint... but just a very
Confused about the professional reviews too.... definitely a good movie. I do like it when some reviews are bad, but there are always good reviews to counter... but no good reviews?
Not as slow and artistic as some hint... but just a very good movie.
The theme behind it is a raw version of I Robot, which makes it more interesting.

Watched this movie and The Interview during the same evening, and I would only watch Automata again. Though the former was definitely hilarious the first time around.
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1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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8
smiyamotAug 4, 2016
I thought this movie was a remake of Blade Runner. Antonio has his family but he wants more out of life. That always comes with risk. His job makes him realize he needs to take that risk
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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9
Bournout3000Jan 23, 2019
Another Cyberpunk themed movie that makes you question the ghost in the shell on an other level
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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9
DimchaChisMar 7, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Очень атмосферный фильм, а какой саундтрек Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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7
akenaton1984Nov 4, 2017
Me parece extraño que hayan tantas críticas malas a este filme. No es una obras maestra, pero es una buena puesta en escena y una propuesta aceptable.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
RohaldMar 7, 2023
I liked the movie very much. It's nothing really original and it has its plot holes, but the story is interesting, the dystopian future, while similar to other movies of the genre, is believable and intriguing and the themes evoked, whileI liked the movie very much. It's nothing really original and it has its plot holes, but the story is interesting, the dystopian future, while similar to other movies of the genre, is believable and intriguing and the themes evoked, while again nothing new in itself, are in point (especially now that AI is increasingly in people's thoughts). Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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