Transcendence

2014 • 119 minutes

About this movie

Dr. Will Caster is the foremost researcher in the field of Artificial Intelligence, working to create a sentient machine that combines the collective intelligence of everything ever known with the full range of human emotions. His highly controversial experiments have made him famous, but they have also made him the prime target of anti-technology extremists who will do whatever it takes to stop him.

However, in their attempt to destroy Will, they inadvertently become the catalyst for him to succeed-to be a participant in his own transcendence. For his wife Evelyn (Rebecca Hall) and best friend Max Waters (Paul Bettany), both fellow researchers, the question is not if they can...but if they should.

Their worst fears are realized as Will's thirst for knowledge evolves into a seemingly omnipresent quest for power, to what end is unknown. The only thing that is becoming terrifyingly clear is there may be no way to stop him.

Ratings and reviews

Over the years, countless Sci-Fi movies about AI, advanced technology, and the future of humanity have all focused on our ultimate demise via these advancements. It's refreshing to finally see a movie point to humanity as the ultimate culprit in its own downfall. This movie speaks truth to the amount of fear and distrust humanity has when it comes to technology and the various possibilities of scientific advancement. Instead of tin foil hats and doomsday predictions, we should be embracing the possibilities that technology can succeed where we have previously failed. A brilliant movie that shows why it is important not to fear but to learn and evolve. We can evolve for the better or continue to push towards extinction. We can work towards repairing the damage we have done to ourselves and this planet or we can continue to destroy everything. Humans decide how to use technology; the technology does not decide how to use itself. However, if technology ever becomes so advanced as to begin making its own decisions, I can only pray it takes the path of Dr. Will Caster. Brilliant movie with so many thought provoking elements, a bit of romance, and sprinkled irony throughout. Kudos.

If you're looking for a forward-thinking cinematic discourse on nanotechnology and transhumanism, you're in the wrong place. If you're looking for a highly sensationalized fluff piece that panders to fears of technology and the internet, you've hit the jackpot. This is one of those films that sets up very specific logical "rules" only to later ignore or blur them out of convenience. It is apparent that the creative team were not given the room to really make this story cohesive. The cast are underutilized.

Being a fan of Depp was the draw for me and though i value anything that can hold my attention, make me think,or laugh , I am partial to the genre. BUT as well as being a very good film it is a brilliantly written and CAUTIONARY TALE. I dont want you to think me so zealous regaurding the point of the film that you dont deem the referral credible but even though we as humans are shy of this premise in terms of it being a reality the technologies do exist at present in piecemail. Please watch- PLEASE THINK!