The Machine (2013)

It was different, and obviously not everyone would love it. but if you love a.i. probably you should give it a try.

The Machine is a rather successful attempt at implementing hard science fiction tendencies with a cyberpunk aesthetic. It may not be particularly adroit in terms of human and AI relationships, but I appreciate the rigor of the scientific explanation for the artificial intelligence. The film really excels at this in the beginning when Vincent conducts his own Turing tests as part of a secret headhunting operation. Then as he meets Ava things start taking a problematic turn. The military-industrial complex is invoked, but its purpose is sort of shadowy and never is contextualized in a way that would make the narrative more coherent.The questioning of human identity is the strongest point of the film, but I suppose that, at the very core, this film was more interested in being a thriller, rather than an exploration of the philosophical concepts.

There aren't really too many successful films about artificial intelligence out there, so additions to the genre are always welcome for this reviewer. Sadly, THE MACHINE doesn't really do much in terms of film-making that hasn't been done previously, although it is a film that raises more than a few moral and philosophical questions over the course of its running time.This low budget feature stars the reliable Toby Stephens as a researcher looking into AI and its uses in a modern-day cold war with China. Various complexities and dilemmas arise, but none of them seem to have a huge dramatic effect on the viewer; most of the action takes place in a murky and empty laboratory and the cinematography is below par. Attempts to shoehorn some fight scenes into the narrative don't work very well, and the climax is as predictable as they come. For the most part, THE MACHINE relies on the talents of Stephens and Stephens alone to make an emotional impact, but only he can do so much.

Fantastic Look and the Score is Effective, Minimalist and Silky. This is a Creepy, sometimes Frightening Film filled with War-Battered, Brain-Damaged Robots and few Humans. The Low-Budget takes a Back Seat to the Imaginative Scenery and the Mood is all Melancholy. There is barely a Light in Sight and the Literal Darkness of the Scenes does Enhance the Gloomy Appeal of the Story.Caity Lotz in a Dual Role is Stunning and Toby Stevens as the Scientist in Despair is OK. The Story may be Nothing New and the Ending will Not Surprise Sci-Fi Geeks. But Viewers will most likely remember the Feel of the Film and it is Unique in that respect. Overall, Above Average B-Movie with its Sci-Fi Roots Showing most of the Time, although Not in the Foreground. It's an A.I. Trek that is a Welcome Inclusion in the Sub-Genre. Low-Budget Movies should all Look this Good and They Can with Fertile Imaginations.