Read Mixed User Reviews for Ex Machina

6

BeeceeMay 4, 2015

I didn't really see why this movie received such rave reviews. This is essentially a three-person play, which is difficult to pull off unless the characters are all compelling and the dialogue is great. Oscar Isaac had the best role, andI didn't really see why this movie received such rave reviews. This is essentially a three-person play, which is difficult to pull off unless the characters are all compelling and the dialogue is great. Oscar Isaac had the best role, and also the best drawn character. Caleb and Ava were not as interesting as characters, and I felt that the film lagged in the middle. However, it did lead to some interesting discussions after the film. Additionally, the scenery in Norway is magnificent.… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

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4

bradchengMay 12, 2015

I was anxious to see “Ex Machina” as soon as the trailer made it’s appearance on the Web. It seemed a dark film. Foreboding. The stuff of heady sci-fi. Would it deliver the kind of punch to the groin that the great cautionary tales of theI was anxious to see “Ex Machina” as soon as the trailer made it’s appearance on the Web. It seemed a dark film. Foreboding. The stuff of heady sci-fi. Would it deliver the kind of punch to the groin that the great cautionary tales of the past like “Colossus: The Forbin Project,” “1984,” “Metropolis,” “The Andromeda Strain,” and “2001” mustered?

There’s always been a kind of thoughtfulness and restraint that accompanies classic science fiction. It’s both clinical as a white lab coat — asking that you listen intently to the theories being sermonized — and stodgily respectable as a tweed-fitted professor. I’ll admit I was anxious to sign up for the lecture “Ex Machina” promised, as it dangled the fascinating subject of AI and the singularity as its subject: the stuff of Golden Age dreams and worlds of wonder.

But, alas, as the film rolled, the podium stood empty. In place of learned professor someone had rolled up a TV monitor and tired Betamax machine, apparently supplied with the wrong cassette, paper bagged and quietly pulled from beneath a counter. As “Ex Machina” played on, my heart sank as I realized the tale was to be less Asimov and more servo-driven de Sade. Despite occasional snippets of debate on what it means to be human, “Ex Machina’s” story is little more than damsel-with-pneumatic-limbs in distress melodrama. It’s more akin to a creaky gothic horror story than a glimpse into the future. The transcendence of artificial intelligence and it’s implications are hardly touched upon and instead “Ex Machina” focuses on a story as hoary as any bodice ripper that’s been penned.

A slightly mad (and hungover) genius programmer with a Net tycoon’s ten-figure-bank account (Oscar Isaac reprising his tough-kid-from-Brooklyn persona from “Inside Llewyn Davis“) has secluded himself on an impossibly large piece of real estate, a surprisingly claustrophobic piece of architecture, despite a presumed love of the great outdoors. In his private bunker, Isaac’s has created a Bluebeard’s (the name of his company is Bluebook) high-tech boudoir of female automatons that he keeps prisoner in pursuit of — presumably — the perfect companion. The young visitor who knocks innocently at the imposing door of his castle (Irish-actor Domhnall Gleeson, mimicking the boyish lilt of Matthew Modine) — like a naive traveler from a Poe tale, or soon-to-be-drained Jonathan Harker — suddenly finds himself inexplicable drawn to an eerie, yet comely young maiden (Icelandic waif Alicia Vikander), who may or may not be a prisoner. The lord of the castle has tasked this young traveler with determining if the maiden is indeed worthy of human devotion, because she is, in fact, yet another mechanical sex toy he’s cobbled together. It’s almost like the set up to a dirty joke. And there’s a cloying tawdriness that permeates the film and its story of a sweet-faced robot held prisoner by her Google-Age Doctor Frankenstein.

Gleeson’s and Vikander’s behind-glass-walls relationship — the centerpiece of the film — is half-Times Square peep show, half speed dating, and, unfortunately, where the science fiction gets swallowed by pulp fiction. For a young programmer with an interest in logic, Gleeson seems to soon abandon his. Despite being charged with administering a test of intelligence, Gleeson fails his own miserably. Even with the knowledge that she’s more Linux than Ligeia, he lets her chipset of charms fool him into thinking what she needs is a white knight and not a hard restart. Instead of probing the workings of Vicander’s mind, he spends most of the time talking to her like he’s in a slow dance at the high school prom. And speaking of dancing, the one of the film’s most remarked-on scenes is an impromptu, perfectly synched disco number between Isaacs and a lithe Asian android he’s put on mute. While undeniably fun, that fact that it’s about the only scene to raise”Ex Machina” out of its numbness, portends badly of the film having less of a real pulse than its heroine. Fresh ideas in are scant supply in “Ex Machina” and whether or not Garland was intentionally channeling his tale of lust for nuts and bolts from Olympia in “The Tales of Hoffman,” Maria in “Metropolis,” or the uber-sexbot Kris from “Bladerunner,” its lack of invention keeps the film badly grounded in its pseudo-grindhouse scenario.

Garland’s locked-in-a-dungeon script, coupled with a plentiful tableaux of supple artificial flesh, eventually feels less and less like a exploration of the new millenium’s scariest possibility than a peek into a folder of inappropriate Victoriana. That’s why as I science fiction purist, I felt myself increasingly pulling away from “Ex Machina.” About 20 minutes into the movie my hopes sank for seeing a smart little sci-fi film, when realized I wasn’t going to be treated to speculation, but titillation. The mad doctor’s growing sadism toward his dolls makes the film feel increasingly like “Fifty Shades of Grey”written for the IT department… Expand

6 of 12 users found this helpful66

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4

LoveMistressMay 14, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Let me first off introduce myself a little, I'm a complete sucker for sci-fi movies and I was expecting the best from this movie, but this movie is a complete dis-service.

The problem for me already started with the character of "Nathan", who is completely one-dimensional and a total joke. Nathan is completely drunk most of the time and refuses to talk about anything technical. He actually had me convinced that aliens magically gave him the technology to print AI's, because he couldn't possibly have accomplished anything like that. Seriously, the guy is a technological illiterate.

To add on top of that, Ava, the main AI, might as well just be a regular woman who has been painted on to look like a robot. There's nothing about her that would make her an artificial intelligence or special in any sense. This also brings me back to Nathan, they just refuse to talk about how the AI works or how any of the artificial bodies are created. There's nothing. Everything just seemed to have magically popped out of nowhere.

Caleb being the naive protagonist of the movie is something I can understand, especially because it's explained later down the line.

And I don't even know how to feel about Nathan building a harem of **** robots for the sole purpose of having sex with.

This movie has been a complete waste of time for me, it's dull and solely exists on the basis that those AI's came out of ****ing nowhere with everyone refusing to explain on it.… Expand

5 of 10 users found this helpful55

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6

Cem1923May 28, 2015

The film tries to be smarter than it really is. While it is an enjoyable movie, it can feel a bit too slow at times especially since it is quite predictable. Overall I would say that while it doesn't break new ground by any means, it is stillThe film tries to be smarter than it really is. While it is an enjoyable movie, it can feel a bit too slow at times especially since it is quite predictable. Overall I would say that while it doesn't break new ground by any means, it is still worth watching at home in your free time. I wouldn't go to the cinema to see it.… Expand

5 of 10 users found this helpful55

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6

TVJerryApr 28, 2015

A nerd programmer wins a visit to the remote estate of his boss (Oscar Isaac), where he becomes part of an artificial intelligence experiment with a seductive robot. Although the first hour slogs along without much happening, the final 30A nerd programmer wins a visit to the remote estate of his boss (Oscar Isaac), where he becomes part of an artificial intelligence experiment with a seductive robot. Although the first hour slogs along without much happening, the final 30 revs up the narrative. The premise is interesting, the environment is attractive and the EFX are cool, but the twists are somewhat obvious. Even though it may not end where expected, in retrospect, it's comes to a realistic and upsetting conclusion. This isn't a flashy sci-fi spectacle, but a quiet and somewhat intriguing cautionary tale.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

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6

jcasetnlMay 8, 2015

Deviates from the usual over-the-top, bombastic, CG-everywhere treatment that sci-fi gets these days, and attempts some basic philosophical questions about consciousness and existence, but it comes up a little short on cleverness andDeviates from the usual over-the-top, bombastic, CG-everywhere treatment that sci-fi gets these days, and attempts some basic philosophical questions about consciousness and existence, but it comes up a little short on cleverness and entertainment. Some scenes drag out way too long. The dialogue isn't quite nuanced or profound enough for the headiness of its philosophy. Oscar Isaac isn't wholy convincing in his Steve Jobs-like role. The payoff is also lukewarm and predictable. All in all it's a little sad that for its un-hollywood-ness it gets default praise, but once we get over that "novelty" there is just an okay story left over.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

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4

LowbrowCinemaApr 11, 2015

Polished to the max, EX MACHINA feels heartless and over thought. Yet, it really didn't make me think of much than how it great it looks. You've seen it all before. Filmmakers have been exploring this terrain for at least 50 years. Even thePolished to the max, EX MACHINA feels heartless and over thought. Yet, it really didn't make me think of much than how it great it looks. You've seen it all before. Filmmakers have been exploring this terrain for at least 50 years. Even the structure with its naive young man brought to a compound by a wealthy bully has been done to death. We need something new and unfortunately, EX MACHINA does not deliver.… Expand

6 of 15 users found this helpful69

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6

gokellyApr 25, 2015

Good movie but I dont understand where all the rave reviews are coming from. The performances are great though with Oscar Isaacs character in particular a very fresh take on the whole tech genius (really could see myself going for pints withGood movie but I dont understand where all the rave reviews are coming from. The performances are great though with Oscar Isaacs character in particular a very fresh take on the whole tech genius (really could see myself going for pints with this guy).
One of my favourite movies is bladerunner and Im always on the lookout for good AI movies but it was pretty obvious where the story was going to go. If you've seen a few sci fi/AI movies before I dont think you'll find anything new here.… Expand

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

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4

JamesLApr 27, 2015

A real snoozer that had no intrigue, interest, or limited appeal to me. Some directors just get too damn smart for themselves and make a movie like this thinking it is a brilliant work. In reality, it is a long bore in which we the audienceA real snoozer that had no intrigue, interest, or limited appeal to me. Some directors just get too damn smart for themselves and make a movie like this thinking it is a brilliant work. In reality, it is a long bore in which we the audience see the conclusion way in advance and wonder how this made the big screen enjoyed this .Painful to watch .… Expand

4 of 12 users found this helpful48

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6

AxeTApr 26, 2015

It is mesmerizing. It is intelligent. It is obviously a story that is informed by some high level intellectual thinking. It is of a distinct and fine style, tone and pace and well acted.
What it is not is climactic in a way that is notIt is mesmerizing. It is intelligent. It is obviously a story that is informed by some high level intellectual thinking. It is of a distinct and fine style, tone and pace and well acted.
What it is not is climactic in a way that is not underwelming and ultimately predictable.
Once again that is especially true in light of all the over-praise by the jackass critics club next door.… Expand

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

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6

killzon32May 14, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Alright this movie is interesting, however the plot was just so... meh.

I love science fiction but this movie was a huge miss and the more I think about it the more I am disliking it.

Spoilers.

It starts off with some nerdy guy who gets selected for a project, he gets transported to a place in what seems to be far from society. He meets his boss which seems to be a bro and never likes talking about specifics because he made the AI using "magic" then the nerdy guy develops a bond with the ai in like 10 minutes of talking, the questions he asked are very stupid. Never did he once think that AI is something we shouldn't be messing with without huge safeguards including for a good programmer he never thought of the implications of the experiment. He ends up falling for her in like 5 interviews and he tries to help her escape. There is a part he cuts himself to see if hes a ai.... He didn't really show he was in pain even though he was cutting himself, I would expect it would hurt.
Then there is a part with the bro explaining it was all part of the plan, and then the nerdy guy is like HA I tricked you! I really did it before you knew and then the robot got them both!
Then the Bro boss meets the robot and the other AI stands still and he walks into it, Yeah that happens you ever back into a knife.. it doesn't do that, regardless its like a 2 minute exchange and she ends up stabbing him anyway.... Then she goes outside without any safeguards she just escapes without any effort.

This movie is worse then transcendence, Its not a horrible movie it just really lacks any actual thought of AI.

I don't rate movies very often, but this movie isn't very good.… Expand

3 of 10 users found this helpful37

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6

GameloreApr 27, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Actually quite a bad piece of sci-fi. A good example of an awesome subject-matter rendered completely boring. Reminiscent of the target audience for The Internship. To make an entire movie about containing AI, and to have such such obvious security flaws made any AI escape feel intentional. It's kind of like making Jurrassic Park and the main characters simply sympathetically open the door for the dinosaurs. It insulted the audience by making the protagonist out to be an unbelievably dumb character who you don't want to follow. Moreover, the pacing was pure **** Tons could have been cut better. Absolutely awesome photography, though (see: Under the Skin for pacing of this style done right). The android was well acted and there were a number of applause-worthy acting scenes scattered throughout a series of increasingly stupid paths that the main character took the audience down. By about halfway through the movie, after the main character was clearly compromised, the movie had a hard time evoking that earlier emotion from me, however. Ultimately, even the secondary character (the boss) became unbelievably stupid to me by not having a means of healing or defending himself or building in a way to summon help. Perhaps another way to interpret the movie is that the boss intended for a natural bar for his creation set both at the level of manipulation using another human to escape AND at the "sufficient" sophistitcation necessary for launch, and that his seed was sewn inherently upon death by this creation. But the movie poster ("what will happen if I fail your test?", indicating sympathy toward the robot) and choice of perspective in the movie (the stupid cog in the wheel) indicates that this isn't the intended point of view. And even if the latter interpretation were intended, it's still only a slight revelation to imagine that the event was precisely calculated -- but again, I feel like the chosen perspective, and reaction by the "boss" precludes this interpretation. One good thing: At least it didn't sully any *actual* grand ideas for sci-fi or storytelling and the movie built a lot of hype for good sci-fi (for some reason).… Expand

3 of 10 users found this helpful37

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4

ryecaApr 25, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Felt like stoner sci-fi with absurd dialogue, a bit cliche modernist hotel/house, and robot babes. Predictable, but that doesn't really matter. I can't imagine justifying high ratings; the movie is mediocre. I am prepared to suspend disbelief, but when a movie violates the rules of the fantasy it has created itself, it seems a bit meaningless. The whole movie is based on the premise that the "turing test" they have prepared is really to test the AI's ability to escape confinement by lying, seducing, etc. Wouldn't Oscar Issac realize that winning the test means the AI actually DOES escape? Well, in the end he seems wholly unprepared for that obvious eventuality.

Minor points - if you have somebody "boxing" at least give them a bit of training on the heavy bag. Isaac looks a fool. Also, if you rant about some Jackson Pollock painting, do a little research first. Isaac sounded a fool. Finally, don't call the company "Bluebook." That is just heavy handed.… Expand

3 of 10 users found this helpful37

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4

atlgMay 2, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It was a very quiet and slow movie. The special effects were very good--Ava made a convincing Artificial Intelligence (AI). I didn't care for the ending, but it was in keeping with the rest of the film. Basically, I think this movie is what happens when you do NOT employ Asimov's "Three Laws of Robotics" when you make your AI.… Expand

3 of 10 users found this helpful37

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6

DRauchDoes2015May 10, 2015

Garland, a seasoned writer of such low-budget, high-concept sci-fi entries as 28 Days Later and Sunshine, has finally helmed his inaugural directorial work, Ex Machina. He has crafted an accomplished, minimal, futuristic yarn, plaguedGarland, a seasoned writer of such low-budget, high-concept sci-fi entries as 28 Days Later and Sunshine, has finally helmed his inaugural directorial work, Ex Machina. He has crafted an accomplished, minimal, futuristic yarn, plagued consistently by gaps of logic, resignation to Deus Ex Machinas (excuse the obvious pun), and a contrived theme that has been toyed with in numerous other (and better) films before it. However, he still delivers a head-scratching, seductive, and occasionally disturbing work worthy of his exceeding reputation in the genre.

One of Ex Machina's most unfettered strengths, in spite of it's focus on cerebral stimulation, is it's polished, gleaming aesthetic. DOP Rob Hardy juxtaposes synthetic shimmer and gloss with occasional detours into the fecund range outside the lab compound the majority of the film is set. Interspersing sensual hues upon the entrance of android Eva, Ex Machina pulses with a sheen of varied beauty at every turn. Production Designer Mark Digby deserves equal credit for his skeletal, cold composition and ingenious use of special effects in bringing the robots of Ex Machina to stunning life. I'm still baffled as to how the hollow, transparent Eva was accomplished, and her mold is (cough) not too bad either.

Though the icy final act asserted a rather bleak and predictable notion about humanity that left me cold, the central performances by Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac and breakout star Alicia Vikander prevent obstruction of it's emotional core. Isaac's mad scientist is an eccentric concoction, a muscular physical build and casual, vulgar vernacular juxtaposed with a lived-in inquisitive disposition. Vikander, though not tasked with a particularly distinct or subversive role (an A.I. that has a run-of-the-mill manipulative mentality) exudes an uncanny eroticism unmatched by any cinematic depiction of an android seductress I've ever seen (though the chick from Blade Runner could certainly give her a run for her money). Her allure is almost primal, but it's also poised and elegant.

Gleeson is easily the odd-man out here in terms of depth, complexity and overall magneticism. His performance is serviceable, in spite of his character, whose motivation teeters between questionable and ludicrous. Thrusting the scrawny, pale, anti-leading man center stage is a dicey move, one that extracts any relatable dramatic center.

Once the central narrative is established, the schizophrenic notion that no one is to be trusted dominates. Each interaction is tinged with doubt and deception, every development subtly shifted by latent ulterior motives from either party of the man vs. machine mental battleground. Though everyone's motivations reveal to be, sadly, mundane (the android wants to escape, the mad scientist wants to **** with everyone's head), hints of ambiguity still linger, rendering Ex Machina a film that beckons a closer examination.

However, as enticing as the cat and mouse setup is, the ENTIRE film is derailed by illogical plot developments, some too flagrant to forgive. I'll name a few:

*Why did the pilot allow Ava on board? Considering the drastic precautions taken to prevent anyone from uncovering the lab, he should've raised a red flag REGARDLESS of her vixen figure or possible false explanations of the situation.

*Why did Caleb even need to get Nathan drunk if he had already disabled security protocol? It would have made Ava's escape easier, surely, but she overpowers him regardless.

*WHY was Caleb willing to sabotage the scientific development of the century over an inhuman personality he had met less than a week prior? If the romantic feelings he had for Ava were truly to the degree that he'd be willing to risk the future of mankind, they were certainly not expressed with the gravity required to pull off the trick believably.

*Why hadn't Kyoko, certainly present when Nathan is at his most vulnerable, ever taken the chance to kill him until the end of the film, when Ava needed her to do so? She might not have understood any means of escape, but the urge must have persisted.

I could go on, but the subtler blemishes are some of the things about Ex Machina I enjoy most; yes, these irrational choices cheapen the impact of an otherwise cleverly designed framework, but the film at least prompted me to think hard enough to decipher areas that the film failed to think through.

The movie Garland (and most film critics) pitch you is a tragically less-inventive film than advertised. The dialogue is grandiloquent and often witty beyond it's obligatory psuedo-brainy countenance. The first watch is the most engaging, I'll admit that much. Once the ride is over, little comes to light to form new commentary about mankind's god complex. What was the point of it all, if the stakes were compromised from the get go? Well, I'll put it this way: the synthetic sheen was as sparkly as a new apple product, and just as disappointing.… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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5

tvnewsguidoMay 21, 2015

It was a bit melodramatic and predictable for my tastes.

I guess it explores the big questions about what "artificial intelligence" would actually mean but that is well-trod ground and Ex Machina adds little insight. The biggestIt was a bit melodramatic and predictable for my tastes.

I guess it explores the big questions about what "artificial intelligence" would actually mean but that is well-trod ground and Ex Machina adds little insight.

The biggest takeaway I got was "guys are stupid dicks and would be even more stupid and bigger dicks if they had life-like sex robots."… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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5

hotfromcauldronApr 11, 2015

Ex Machina is a voyeuristic romp of a menage a trois between two men and a machine.
Oscar Isaacs’ hilarious Hughes- Hefner mad scientist believes women should serve but not speak yet is on the verge of inventing sex dolls with soul. TheEx Machina is a voyeuristic romp of a menage a trois between two men and a machine.
Oscar Isaacs’ hilarious Hughes- Hefner mad scientist believes women should serve but not speak yet is on the verge of inventing sex dolls with soul. The Machiavellian machinations grow tiresome as his subjects converse through prison windows. But stick with it. Turing must be turning in his grave to think he could have bedded Christopher - his computer. What’a next ? An iwatch orgasm? It’s app to happen.… Expand

2 of 9 users found this helpful27

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4

nicholasbertMay 17, 2015

With such a great theme (albeit all but original), I had expected a new take on the subject. Apart from the fact that the entire philosophical tirade is trite and we've seen it in practically every single movie of this kind, Ex Machina isWith such a great theme (albeit all but original), I had expected a new take on the subject. Apart from the fact that the entire philosophical tirade is trite and we've seen it in practically every single movie of this kind, Ex Machina is just yet another film that pretends to be smart when, in fact, it is a copy of a copy of a copy of something that was barely smart to begin with.

The only thing that saves it is Oscar Isaac's character and performance, finally something new. Although I would have taken that character and put him in a different movie entirely - he's detached from the plot, and it really could have been any other kind of character without changing any of the storyline.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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6

ProductiveMindApr 14, 2015

Humanoid artificial intelligence, the way we see the future. Every movie now a day is going to try and turn what we have in the future into a more defined depiction in our reality. Alex Garland, the film's writer and director has designed aHumanoid artificial intelligence, the way we see the future. Every movie now a day is going to try and turn what we have in the future into a more defined depiction in our reality. Alex Garland, the film's writer and director has designed a movie to make us try and see new perspectives on science and man. Alex, making it a thriller has no limits of pushing us out of our seats not for this movie but for the idea of an AI as we approach closer to the pure creation of AI's. The filming was set in the Juvet Landscape Hotel in Valldalen, Norway, a good set for the location. This movie makes me want to go to Norway ever so more. The marketing used for the movie was nothing but genuine genius. To set up a tactic for people using tinder to trick the using into seeing the advertisement but conversing with just scripts and beings who would then send tinder using a link to an instagram just to see the film's poster. Out of all the scaling, they over worked a good part of their vision into making it more exciting while leaving the originality in the dust. 6.0… Expand

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

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6

phildogJul 27, 2015

The acting is perfect. No question, you believe these people are who they are on screen. The Special FX are well executed, but at no point do you believe what is on screen is actually there. The android, or should I say gynoid, is very poorlyThe acting is perfect. No question, you believe these people are who they are on screen. The Special FX are well executed, but at no point do you believe what is on screen is actually there. The android, or should I say gynoid, is very poorly done. The story is also full of plot holes many so fundamental to the story that they can't be named without spoilers. Was it worth watching? Meh, maybe. Would I recommend it? No.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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6

ChaeoteJul 16, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Are you serious!?

This was a brilliant 10/10 movie...right up till the ending...

Throughout the entire movie, you start to care for the AI, and you even look forward to the double cross that happens against the antagonist.... and then...

Oh, the AI is an unfeeling monster... cue credits....

WTF, that's just rehasing the same old **** we've seen time and time again. "Machines bad, Humans good."....

For gods' sakes, give me something new.....

Way to ruin a great movie, with an ending that just pisses me of.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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6

zurnzurnMay 24, 2015

Pleasant enough but a bit overrated. It's not terribly clever or surprising, and is more a conventional thriller than a movie seriously concerned about AI issues. Even if you're a sci-fi fan, I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to see it.

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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6

ydnar4May 22, 2015

Ex Machina is a sci-fi film that could be classified as a drama film as well. This film didn't have a huge budget like most sci-fi films do and he movie had some pretty complex performers. The film is inventive but its a slow burn. There isEx Machina is a sci-fi film that could be classified as a drama film as well. This film didn't have a huge budget like most sci-fi films do and he movie had some pretty complex performers. The film is inventive but its a slow burn. There is never really much excitement going on in the film. I think Oscar Isaac had the best performance in the film but the other people were pretty good. However I didn't care the ending, it didn't have much of a climax and it was really drug out.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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6

StatlerWaldorfOct 27, 2015

This is a fun little tech thriller. Oscar Isaac is turning out to be a really good actor, and hey, Alicia Vikander! You’re suddenly a thing now! That’s great too, we love your expressions and non-expressions; they are very expressive. VaguelyThis is a fun little tech thriller. Oscar Isaac is turning out to be a really good actor, and hey, Alicia Vikander! You’re suddenly a thing now! That’s great too, we love your expressions and non-expressions; they are very expressive. Vaguely familiar nerdy white kid, you are also good at your job. Isaac oozes tension from the first minute he takes the stage. His presence shrinks the halls into jagged chutes to oblivion. There’s a great cat-and-mouse story in here, but it feels like it’s written at the scale of a decent Black Mirror episode, what extends beyond that is really just style and cool attitude that you can take or leave depending on how superficial you’re feeling. The ending is a copout. It’s one of those endings popular now with movies that do get lost in style, where it’s not about making narrative sense but rather upholding a mood. Is the AI dumb or is the writer dumb? You can pick, but either way it’s not as interesting as the character the movie seemed to be building up to or a fair attempt at examining the development of mind in an abusive home, a concept that is great and inevitably visioned in the formation of AI. I’d love to see the Nicholas Winding Refn version of this movie. I feel like he knows how to balance cool and the contemporary urge to make everything mildly dissatisfying. Tip for new directors. Frustration and ambiguity do not imbue realism.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

imthenoobMar 12, 2019

The story is a tad bit predictable but the good acting and interesting premise help it rise above but not to the top level quality that I expected. I felt the movie could have been a bit shorter and there were obvious pacing issues thatThe story is a tad bit predictable but the good acting and interesting premise help it rise above but not to the top level quality that I expected. I felt the movie could have been a bit shorter and there were obvious pacing issues that constantly took me in and out of the story. Not a bad movie at all but I think it needs to be trimmed down a bit more for me to rate it any higher.… Expand