Ex Machina

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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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

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

WoodCoinDotNetAug 11, 2015

Superb special effects, brilliant dialog, and capable acting dominate the first two-thirds of the film. The final act, though, loses its way when the "genius" characters act stupid enough to allow catastrophe, and taking the film seriouslySuperb special effects, brilliant dialog, and capable acting dominate the first two-thirds of the film. The final act, though, loses its way when the "genius" characters act stupid enough to allow catastrophe, and taking the film seriously becomes impossible due to contrivances and illogical or irrational omissions of what's already been set up in the plot. (As for subtext, a viewer could see this film as a study on the cruelty of humanity as a whole, or as a ploy for feminists' rights, or a diva's revenge against her tyrannical director... On another note, the movie could be looked at as a warning against transexuals, because eventually it becomes clear that the actor portraying the leading robot is a male-to-female post-op, or she's intended to look like one, which is a different story entirely.) What a let-down. Yet the musical score adds a lot of fun to the film, especially the disco scene, which is a highlight.… Expand

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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

BroyaxJan 21, 2017

C'est l'histoire d'un gars qui a une tronche de taliban, fait de la boxe et boit de la bière. On y croit pas une seconde mais c'est pas grave. A ses heures perdues, l'énergumène se boulotte une robote de A à Z et invite un jeune programmeurC'est l'histoire d'un gars qui a une tronche de taliban, fait de la boxe et boit de la bière. On y croit pas une seconde mais c'est pas grave. A ses heures perdues, l'énergumène se boulotte une robote de A à Z et invite un jeune programmeur dans sa petite forteresse privée de paranoïaque non pas à une partouze à piles mais à juger de la qualité de son superbe moteur d'intelligence artificielle.

Le petit con est émerveillé évidemment. S'ensuivent alors tous les poncifs et déjà-vus du film de robots pensants, de la création et de son créateur, de la duplicité et de la fourberie. "Plus humain que l'humain" disait Tyrell dans Blade Runner et c'est toujours la même ritournelle, plus ou moins habilement retournée.

Rien de rédhibitoire en soi sauf que les grosses coutures se voient décidément beaucoup trop nonobstant quelques revirements et que le film s'étire en longueurs (2h10, une paille !).

Ex Machina reste néanmoins agréable par sa mise en scène classieuse, ses effets spéciaux impressionnants et sa musique hypnotisante : de bien beaux meubles ma foi. Et des jolies poupées dans la penderie.… Expand

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6

Martimus98Mar 14, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ex Machina is an interesting sci fi fantasy. It starts rather slowly but builds to a more entertaining conclusion. The story made a number of obvious mistakes which somewhat surprised me. A couple that came to mind are: 1. Food. We see Nathan cooking what looks to be an egg. Where did fresh eggs come from? The movie never shows anyone bringing in fresh food to the home and they never showed anything that might indicate that Nathan had a chicken coop on the property. So where did fresh eggs come from?, 2. who, in their right mind, would maintain a security system that provided no means of escape in the event of a power failure, especially after Nathan admitted that his home was having daily power failures. During one scene they showed Caleb re-writing security routines to open all doors in the event of a power failure. At the end, however, the door to the room where Caleb was locked when the power failed. An interesting coincidence that the room he's in is the one that doesn't get unlocked. Or did Ava somehow re-write the security routine herself?

In my opinion, the most egregious error made was at the end when they showed Ava escaping. One would have to assume that the pilot who know that he was picking up a male passenger. Yet he picks up Ava to return her to civilization. Jump cut. In the next scene, they show Ava in a population center, presumably at an intersection. What happened during the helicopter flight?Did she catch an airplane after it landed? A taxi? A bus?

Earlier Ava talks about using "charging plates" in order to cause the power failures that seemed to plague the house. Once she leaves that home, how does she recharge her systems? In an older movie, Bicentennial Man, the robot was shown to have a power cable that he could connect to a wall receptacle to recharge. In this movie, however, that was not the case. As such one has to assume that Ava's batteries would have a finite charge and when the charge depleted, she would cease to function. If her systems had the ability to charge in other ways then why would her room need "charging plates"?

As a movie Ex Machina was interesting and entertaining. It wasn't a great movie but it also wasn't a bad movie.… Expand

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5

mijxeroFeb 7, 2018

*SPOILER WARNING* I would say that I find AI type stuff more interesting than most so I was enjoying the movie up until the very end. It was very slow paced, but it had enough questions to answer that kept me going. The whole final act just*SPOILER WARNING* I would say that I find AI type stuff more interesting than most so I was enjoying the movie up until the very end. It was very slow paced, but it had enough questions to answer that kept me going. The whole final act just ruined it for me and came across as spiteful for no real reason.… Expand

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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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5

NaivJun 7, 2015

Nice CGI, interesting characters, just found it predictable, it tried to throw me off but I saw the end coming and all I can say is its average, at least it wasn't After Earth I spose.

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5

RickBellJul 21, 2015

Overrated and I'm completely perplexed why the critics loved this trite piece of recycled fodder. Way too much gratuitous female nudity. Basically about an Internet mogul creating his own sentient sex doll and not much else.

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5

IRONK1979Jan 30, 2018

It has really good special effects but it seems to take forever to get going.

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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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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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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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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

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

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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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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4

NatT96Jun 14, 2015

It was not a very entertaining movie and more of a freaky one were you don't get much character development. Its si-fi robot aspects are cool, but the amount of creativity is shoved down your throat with a creepy uninviting plot that youIt was not a very entertaining movie and more of a freaky one were you don't get much character development. Its si-fi robot aspects are cool, but the amount of creativity is shoved down your throat with a creepy uninviting plot that you force yourself into enjoying.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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4

RenovatiaOct 12, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The movie is about a programmer, Caleb, who won a lottery to perform the Turing-test on a robot called Ava at the secluded mansion of his employer, Nathan. The Turing test is a test of a machine's ability to exhibit intelligent behavior equivalent to, or indistinguishable from, that of a human.

The testing is done through a series (sessions) of conversations between Caleb and Ava. When we meet Ava, I was struck by her beauty, and observing the comments online, many are as well. But this is where my first criticism starts: the movie is over-sexualized. I'm the very opposite of a feminist. But this movie heavily abused its creative license: the amounts of nudity and sexual innuendo went far beyond reason.

The second disappointment of this movie is its predictability. I'm not going to spoil it for you, but it's not hard to imagine what's really going on and how it could end up. There won't be any significant surprises. Although a plot-twist will occur, it isn't enough to bring the movie to a higher level.

The third problem I want to address are the flaws in this movie. Especially at the end - the finale if you will. Not to mention that some events were just silly. Its one of those occasions where some people are made stupid so the other looks more intelligent. For this movie that's extra bad as its narrative is supposed to be of an intelligent nature.

The biggest challenge of this movie is its pace. It's almost non-existent. A big part of the conversations between Ava the fembot and Caleb are simply not interesting, i.e. the conversations don't add value. Just to be clear, having the conversations is the bread and butter of this movie, but too often the things that are said don't hold much substance. The gist has been made clear, so no need to drag it on.

So far the negatives. Offcourse there are the positives. First of all, Ava is absolutely stunning. Mesmerizing for sure. Kyoko the maid is very beautiful too. The setting in general, though somewhat cramped is easy on the eye. That's the message I'm trying to bring across.

The second positive thing, far more important, is that this movie is thought provoking indeed. It's an intelligent movie, though it's not at the level of, say, a movie like Nineteen Eighty-Four. Ex Machina is pop-science which clearly caters to a younger audience and those who feel confident with the Internet and high-tech. The viewer is not expected to be a deep thinker per se.

The most interesting thing about this movie is that it has value once you finished watching. It sticks with you if you're the kind of person who likes to think things over. Now that's commendable added value in my book.

I'm neutral about the acting, though Ava, again, steals the show because of her overall demeanor; the right person at the right place.

I'm not sure how to end this review as I have mixed emotions. I rate it 4 out of 10 stars because the slow pace holds the movie back quite a bit. And the amounts of nudity is simply too much. It's also too pretentious. I'm confident it has the right to be somewhat pretentious, but not as much as this; the movie is not "that" smart. The good thing for many viewers is that it's an accessible "thinking-movie". Those are rare. Would I recommend it? I have to say no, though I don't feel good about it. The wrongs of this movie should not be rewarded I feel, despite the presence of some merit.… Expand

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3

gfnyApr 27, 2015

Laborious with only a few actors, and probably made in two rooms at the studio. Painfully slow movie made by teenagers. The theme is sound but the execution was terrible and the plot non-sense. The trailer and critic reviews trick you intoLaborious with only a few actors, and probably made in two rooms at the studio. Painfully slow movie made by teenagers. The theme is sound but the execution was terrible and the plot non-sense. The trailer and critic reviews trick you into thinking there is more to the movie than there actually is. If you have to choose between root canal and this movie, opt for the dentist.… Expand

10 of 23 users found this helpful1013

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3

aeroxyMay 20, 2015

Ex Machina is one of the film that would easily receive high scores from the public due to the overall ignorance of artificial intelligence and the plentiful of beautifully shot nudes in the movie. As an artificial programmer, softwareEx Machina is one of the film that would easily receive high scores from the public due to the overall ignorance of artificial intelligence and the plentiful of beautifully shot nudes in the movie. As an artificial programmer, software designer, cinematographer, and fashion photographer, let me break down why I give the movie 3 out of 10.

Let’s start with pros:

1. The movie is generally beautifully shot. Very artful execution of many nude scenes. This alone can probably score a 10 for most short films. Unfortunately this is a full length film, so cinematography and attractive naked ladies alone won’t cut it.
2. Stunning interior sets.
3. The movie brought up a debate of whether sexuality helps to shape human consciousness. This idea existed since ancient time, but was a popular debate in the 30s. Of course the movie misdirected its argument - the debate is about societal impact rather than the individual impact (obviously one can have consciousness while being asexual). Nonetheless, we should give the director some credits for trying - especially considering the depth of the movie is so shallow.

Now here comes the cons:

1. The movie depicts unrealistic core plots. Building complex algorithms takes much more than a single person (or even thousands of tireless engineers). The fact that the film makers think it even could be possible makes me laugh. The logic behind the algorithm is also extremely laughable. I feel the film makers might be read some articles (taken out of proper contexts) from WIRED magazine and be like, “Yeah dude, that works for a movie.”
2. The movie failed to explore details of the technology - due to the fact that the film makers probably know little about them.
3. None of the programmers in the movies are realistic - the way they talk, act, or things they say, just seem like from someone know little to nothing about programming.
4. The plots and settings in the movie are naive and laughable both from story telling perspective or technical perspective.
5. The storyline itself has little dramas, falls completely flat. Completely predictable.
6. No character in the movie are likable. Their reactions and emotions all seem fake and forced merely to play out the plots and push the story forward.
7. The movie failed to explore the underlying philosophical debates of artificial intelligence - probably because the film makers fail to understand what artificial intelligence means.

Overall, the movie is plain and vulgar, feeling like some masturbation piece from fantasizing nerds who know how to use cameras well. However it would be a good movie to buy DVD for, because you can collect beautifully shot naked ladies from the movie - if that is what you are into.… Expand

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

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3

AcidConceptMay 19, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It would have been a solid 8, but the ending kills it. Its as if the director gave up. He knew he wanted the escape, he just did not know how to do it logically.

I refuse to think its logical that someone who creates an AI himself, cannot figure out how to prevent escape.… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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3

BiomechanoidMay 23, 2015

Imagine watching "Terminator 3", only with all the action scenes cut out. This about sums up this movie quite perfectly. You get all the philosophical depth of dumb action flick combined with all the action of melodrama. Where amazing "Her"Imagine watching "Terminator 3", only with all the action scenes cut out. This about sums up this movie quite perfectly. You get all the philosophical depth of dumb action flick combined with all the action of melodrama. Where amazing "Her" (2013) movie showcased an interesting dynamic of man-machine relationships, here we have three totally cliched characters totally wasting screen time.… Expand

5 of 10 users found this helpful55

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3

Pedram00Dec 28, 2015

if a machine dont have impression so it can not have compassion and in the end of the film we can see that confliction.
the camera angle in most parts of the film was awful and it couldnt shif sense.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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2

ZarosJun 7, 2015

If you have seen iRobot, The Fifth Element, and Beyond the Black Rainbow and even Terminator, expect to be deeply disappointed in this film. There is nothing new or even new surprises brought to this film. It is unthoughfully basic, poorIf you have seen iRobot, The Fifth Element, and Beyond the Black Rainbow and even Terminator, expect to be deeply disappointed in this film. There is nothing new or even new surprises brought to this film. It is unthoughfully basic, poor storyboarding, writing, design in all aspects, and I would even give the go ahead and assume the blame on the Director, Producers, Casting, Writers; and even us humans for even considering the thought that we are not capable of bettering ourselves-because we can, don't let this film take that from you. Throw this movie to the bargin bin, donate the money revanue to a foundation that supports positive thinkers, innovators, etc. Oh and a side note...if this movie is getting high reviews because of feminist barf, get it in your heads ladies...Ava is an AI, she can't be human because SHE DOES NOT WANT TO BE HUMAN.

This is just another Diaster Movie, nothing about is good or great, though the special effects? Eh...We all know or at least some of us know the hexagon and scifi joke... expect those shapes to make cameo.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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2

gmechMay 13, 2015

I so wanted to love this! I was so excited to see it after reading so many positive reviews. The special effects were cool, but that certainly wasn't enough to make this a good movie. I have only walked out of one movie in my life (I'm in myI so wanted to love this! I was so excited to see it after reading so many positive reviews. The special effects were cool, but that certainly wasn't enough to make this a good movie. I have only walked out of one movie in my life (I'm in my mid 30's) and was so tempted to walk out on this. I just kept thinking...it must get a lot better, after all it has soooo many great reviews. I could hardly keep my eyes open. I turned to my friend halfway through and we both said, "this is soooo boring". It took some naked females to manage to keep me awake for the 2nd half.....sorry, I'm human. I'm not easily bored at movies. In fact, I love most movies I see. This movie really just seemed to drag. If you want to see beautiful cinematography, see the movie "It Follows". As for cool effects, check out the series "Extant" on CBS.… Expand

5 of 14 users found this helpful59

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2

andrewbrownJun 22, 2016

This movie sucks. So boring. Its about a 20 year old male that makes a sex robot. I'd rather watch weird science. Turn on the lava lamp because its kiddie movie.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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2

listenlearnAug 13, 2016

Beautiful visuals, but ugh, the story belongs in a 60s or 70s Sci-fi story written by men for men. I wish I could wash it out of my brain. The scariest part is that stories like this are still being written.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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2

aryadragonloverOct 14, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Plotless and pointless. A waste of time. The only thing that happens is the andriod kills her creator and leaves the compound. Something that could have happened anytime she chose. There is no reason to watch this movie as NOTHING HAPPENS… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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1

jhepMay 13, 2015

This film is not very interesting ! A thriller without thrills. The script MIGHT work as a short story but not as a film...... all the Cat-and-Mouse stuff soon fizzles out and that restless When-is-the-Movie-Going- to-Start feeling setsThis film is not very interesting ! A thriller without thrills. The script MIGHT work as a short story but not as a film...... all the Cat-and-Mouse stuff soon fizzles out and that restless When-is-the-Movie-Going- to-Start feeling sets in......…. Far too ambitious a project for a first-time director and far too slight a story line for a feature film (let alone a wannabe Shocking Thriller)…..and finally, having one of your main characters be an overbearing smuck with a drinking problem is NEVER a good idea- no wonder Ava and Caleb wanted to escape !… Expand

6 of 16 users found this helpful610

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1

foxgroveApr 10, 2015

Despite another good performance from rising star Oscar Isaac this baffling sci-fi movie is laborious in the extreme. Actress Alicia Vikander is omnipresent at the moment and here plays Isaac’s A.I. creation involved in mind games with thirdDespite another good performance from rising star Oscar Isaac this baffling sci-fi movie is laborious in the extreme. Actress Alicia Vikander is omnipresent at the moment and here plays Isaac’s A.I. creation involved in mind games with third party Domhnall Gleeson. Loaded with superlatives from critics this has almost nothing to commend it aside from Isaac and the very occasional frisson. This could make clock watching an art as it is long, slow and ooh so boooring!… Expand

7 of 29 users found this helpful722

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1

DOUGKApr 30, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Dumb, dumb, dumb. The story is dumb in so many ways while pretending to be intelligent that it is a terrible waste of time. The acting is good but wasted. Why would the "genius" be doing any of this? Robots will not be created with emotions and why would anyone want them to be? What was the point of anything in the movie? What would the robot do in the wider world? Who would charge her battery? Nothing makes any sense.… Expand

5 of 23 users found this helpful518

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1

johnyukonMay 18, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. As I grew up I got more and more critic about media in general, including games and movies, this is my first movie review.

Characters:
Owner of a search engine company - CEO
Search engine company employee - NERDY
Robot with intelligence and emotions created by CEO - A.I.
Robot that takes care of the CEO house and is also sex slave - SEXY

This is a movie that talks about the future where machines can be intelligent and have emotions and what/how this would affect human kind. If machines have emotions, are they human like us?

Truth is that having machines with emotions is stupid, we don`t need this, if we ever build a machine with emotions it should be only to say: "Oh we can do that, we can build a machine with emotions", but other than that it`s useless.
Emotions are a weakness of humans, but also a necessity, we need emotions to "drive us", emotions like love/sex, so we can have new babies and increase/maintain population. The sex necessity actually now can be replaced by genetic engineering, we can create better humans than ever, removing imperfections and adding improvements. Emotions have their bad side, like rage, and emotional problems, just remember the recent airplane crash in France where the copilot had emotional problems and crashed the plane, killing everybody.

So, having machines with emotions is in fact a bad idea, machines exist to help us, not replace us, they are mere slaves programmed to do what we want.

The movie shows that the company owner (CEO) had a sex slave robot (SEXY) that also help him by making food and taking care of his house, and shows this as bad. This is not bad at all, as I said, robots are our slaves, their purpose is to help us, and having a sex slave robot probably will happen in the future (we already have sex dolls). Now, if this slave robot has emotions things changes, she would be like a human and having a human as slave is not OK. The movie doesn't show her as having emotions or not.

The plot has some stupid stuff, like for example, the security system based on cards. Common, if CEO was a genius he would use biometrics, he could achieve a much better security by using iris, fingerprint, voice recognition, etc together and also keypads for even more security, so there`s no way someone could have access to his off limits areas by just stealing his keycard.

CEO programmed a robot (A.I.) that can kill. This is so dumb, if I ever would program a robot that is intelligent and has emotions I certainly would program it to not hurt anyone, especially me.

Why the hell the CEO needed someone else to test the A.I., he could have tested it by himself, he can reprogram the A.I. changing she knows about him, for example, saying he had no family, had no girlfriend, just like the NERDY he chose. Or just erase the A.I. memory about him. SO DUMB.

The guy chosen to test the robot (NERDY) is stupid, as I said above, machines are tools, he got emotional with a machine. NERDY is a programmer and should know how stupid this is.
And again, the human emotions messed everything as in the end NERDY freed the A.I. that killed him.

I didn't like the movie end, only the NERDY should have died because of his stupidity. The CEO should have stayed alive, controlled the situation by imprisoning the robot, showed the world he made an intelligent robot with emotions, win a Nobel Prize, and had build a emotionless sex slaves factory so everybody could have his/her sex slaves :)

Movie is boring too :D

Movie doesn't add anything new that we hadn't seem before, the topic of robots with emotions exist for a long time.

Use of special effects - special effects just don`t work for me, as game graphics don`t work for me too, it doesn't fix a bad movie/game.… Expand

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

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1

TheonecriticJun 12, 2015

At the beginning the movie showed some potential but after the second session, everything became repetitive and boring. The end was terrible as well. I do not recommend this movie.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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0

Jabby63May 8, 2015

I'll cut to the chase...this was quite possibly the worst movie I've ever seen. I go to movies a lot. I realize not all are going to be good and that's okay. But this was flat out EXCRUCIATING! I was praying for it to end. How in the worldI'll cut to the chase...this was quite possibly the worst movie I've ever seen. I go to movies a lot. I realize not all are going to be good and that's okay. But this was flat out EXCRUCIATING! I was praying for it to end. How in the world this tedious nonsense received great reviews is mind boggling.… Expand

12 of 48 users found this helpful1236

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0

ilya77bkMay 20, 2015

Decided to see it because of all good reviews. Was very disappointed: a lot of "sophisticated" dialogues and very little action. Nothing new about AI was stated in the movie. I would watch in a theater.

7 of 73 users found this helpful766

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0

PnkstrJul 18, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I have no idea where all these positive reviews are coming from. This movie was shallow predictable and boring. If your looking for something thought provoking, thrilling or at least mildly interesting this isn't it.… Expand

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

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Ex Machina

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