Directed by: Wally Pfister
Casts: Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, Paul Bettany, Kate Mara, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy
Genre: Science-Fiction, Drama
Release Date: 17 April 2014
Humanity are only a shy step away from the biggest breakthrough in A.I. technology and on the lead are Dr. Will Caster (Depp), his wife Evelyn (Hall) and partner Max Waters (Bettany). However, not everyone shares their enthusiasm as it is in human's nature to fear what they do not understand. The symbol of that fear is RIFT - a group of radical terrorists bend on stopping the technological advancement of A.I. research through mass assassination of the leading scientists. Falling victim to radioactive poisoning, Dr. Will's days are numbered and the only way to save him is to upload his mind and consciousness to a supercomputer that the trio had worked on earlier.
Praises: Reviews for Transcendence have been less than warm and that makes me rather sceptical in stepping into the cinema and catch this film. But seeing that Johnny Depp is in it and genius cinematographer Wally Pfister (Inception, anyone?) is on the director's chair for the first time, I decided to give it a try with relatively low expectation. Thankfully for that, I walked out the cinema rather satisfied.
If you're into a sci-fi flick with drama and emotional impact, then this might just be your cup of tea. Transcendence encompasses a great deal of heart-souring moments in its narrative as we see a wife dealing with mental distress and trauma when her husband is nothing more than a screen projection (though a very SkyNET-ish one, I kid you not). Do not let the huge Johnny Depp poster fool you - this is Evelyn Caster's story, told from her eyes and perspectives.
What I find fascinating is the reversal of gender roles. Typically, the male scientists get to do most of the techy-stuffs and many a time, save the day. Here, however, it's the exact opposite. As Dr. Will resign himself to death, his wife refuses to give up and pulls together every resources available to preserve what's left of him. Now that's something quite amazing.
The applications of nano technology, both formative and destructive, are well spread out and bound to fascinate tech-junkies all over. It plays on the concept of the actions a man would take once given the power to change the world in his image, to protect the one he loves and how easy all of that could cost one to lose one's identity, especially if that power comes in the form of internet dominance. It also raises thoughts on human's simultaneous fear and reliance on science and offer glimpses of future reality in our world that is to come.
Transcendence remains a visual flair, though Pfister is not behind the camera his style and influence is conspicuous. It cleverly nods at the need for balance between science and nature - in almost every scene where technological presence is strong there will be several elements of nature surrounding it. An artistic brilliance, I reckon. The soundtracks' pretty cool too, interestingly very Hans Zimmer-like at times.
The casts are pretty much well-rounded, with very strong performances from Rebecca Hall and Paul Bettany. Johnny Depp has quite little screen-time but his monotonous appearance (strange as it is) befits a man who's consciousness was seamed with the capacity of a supercomputer. And of course, there's Morgan "God" Freeman.
Complains: What this film suffers from is a tedious script. The writing incorporates too many side plots without properly resolve them, leaving many tinges of dissatisfaction. The pacing is uneven and lack of cohesiveness. A good script sells you even the most ridiculous story, a bad one hammers even the genius of ideas. What I'm impressed, really, is how the casts moved suavely around a derisory script.
Kate Mara and Cillian Murphy, who I know are capable of so much more are less than noteworthy here. Of course, it's not the them to blame as much as the script and the way their characters are written.
Transcendence aims to call out familiar concerns at a more current and realistic scale by bringing in emotional conflicts that everyday-people like you and me encounter, yet the lacklustre script affects that attempt like a virus, making the outcome appallingly shallow.
Rating: 7/10
Hit or Miss: I enjoyed the film more than I think I would so yah, it's a Hit.
Transcendence remains a visual flair, though Pfister is not behind the camera his style and influence is conspicuous. It cleverly nods at the need for balance between science and nature - in almost every scene where technological presence is strong there will be several elements of nature surrounding it. An artistic brilliance, I reckon. The soundtracks' pretty cool too, interestingly very Hans Zimmer-like at times.
Just look at that mixture of earth and metal beautifully captivated in just one scene!
The casts are pretty much well-rounded, with very strong performances from Rebecca Hall and Paul Bettany. Johnny Depp has quite little screen-time but his monotonous appearance (strange as it is) befits a man who's consciousness was seamed with the capacity of a supercomputer. And of course, there's Morgan "God" Freeman.
Complains: What this film suffers from is a tedious script. The writing incorporates too many side plots without properly resolve them, leaving many tinges of dissatisfaction. The pacing is uneven and lack of cohesiveness. A good script sells you even the most ridiculous story, a bad one hammers even the genius of ideas. What I'm impressed, really, is how the casts moved suavely around a derisory script.
Kate Mara and Cillian Murphy, who I know are capable of so much more are less than noteworthy here. Of course, it's not the them to blame as much as the script and the way their characters are written.
Transcendence aims to call out familiar concerns at a more current and realistic scale by bringing in emotional conflicts that everyday-people like you and me encounter, yet the lacklustre script affects that attempt like a virus, making the outcome appallingly shallow.
Rating: 7/10
Hit or Miss: I enjoyed the film more than I think I would so yah, it's a Hit.
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