Review: A.I. Artificial Intellegence

A.I. Artificial Intelligence opened on this date in 2001. The science fiction film was directed by Steven Spielberg.

Synopsis:

In the future—highly advanced robots are being used by humans for a variety of reasons. A family, who has a child in a coma like state, is given a robot boy to fill the void of their absent son. When the child wakes up, the robot child, David, starts to clash with the son. The mother, who has grown very attached to David, has to abandon the robot for fear of him hurting the family. David then goes on a quest to become a real boy so he can win back the love of his mother.

Positives:

• The practical effects, digital effects and set designs are some of the best of Spielberg’s career. Everything in the film looks amazing and holds up extremely well.

• Haley Joel Osment is brilliant as David. The role is an extremely difficult one. The young actor did an excellent job of making you believe he is a robot that just wants to be loved. He can be creepy in one scene and then break your heart in the next. It is a truly special performance—especially when you consider the actor’s age.

• A.I. brings up a lot of interesting questions about the nature of love and life. Spielberg really commits to the thought provoking nature of A.I. This isn’t an audience pleasing film and it never tries to be.

• A.I.was a project that was originally developed by Stanley Kubrick. Kubrick planned to direct A.I., but tragically he died before he got the opportunity. Spielberg made the film a reality as a tribute to his friend. This collaboration of sorts, by two of the greatest directors that have ever lived, makes the project feel much more special.

A.I. Artificial Intelligence opened on this date in 2001. The science fiction film was directed by Steven Spielberg.

Synopsis:

In the future—highly advanced robots are being used by humans for a variety of reasons. A family, who has a child in a coma like state, is given a robot boy to fill the void of their absent son. When the child wakes up, the robot child, David, starts to clash with the son. The mother, who has grown very attached to David, has to abandon the robot for fear of him hurting the family. David then goes on a quest to become a real boy so he can win back the love of his mother.

Positives:

• The practical effects, digital effects and set designs are some of the best of Spielberg’s career. Everything in the film looks amazing and holds up extremely well.

• Haley Joel Osment is brilliant as David. The role is an extremely difficult one. The young actor did an excellent job of making you believe he is a robot that just wants to be loved. He can be creepy in one scene and then break your heart in the next. It is a truly special performance—especially when you consider the actor’s age.

• A.I. brings up a lot of interesting questions about the nature of love and life. Spielberg really commits to the thought provoking nature of A.I. This isn’t an audience pleasing film and it never tries to be.

• A.I.was a project that was originally developed by Stanley Kubrick. Kubrick planned to direct A.I., but tragically he died before he got the opportunity. Spielberg made the film a reality as a tribute to his friend. This collaboration of sorts, by two of the greatest directors that have ever lived, makes the project feel much more special.

Negatives:

• A.I. is an extremely dark, and at times depressing film. It’s definitely one of the most challenging Spielberg projects.

• Spielberg does a great job of making A.I. look and feel like a Kubrick movie. However, it feels like some of the coldness and darkness of the film could have been balanced with Spielberg’s mastery of whimsy. Spielberg was dedicated to keeping Kubrick’s vision intact and it may have hurt the film in some aspects.

• The film is very slow moving and the ending could of used 10 to 15 minutes trimmed.

In Closing:

The idea of Steven Spielberg bringing to life Stanley Kubrick’s vision is really the main appeal of A.I. The film would of benefited from Spielberg’s influence, but you can understand why he wanted to stick to Kubrick’s concept. A.I. is one of those movies that sticks with you for a long time and really makes you think about the questions it raises. It’s not a perfect movie, but it is a thought provoking one.

Rating: B