The Machine

I just wanted to say to anyone that was thinking... hmmm... is it worth spending the 90 min to watch, I would say, Yes. It was actually better than I thought it would be. So many movies now a days are just simply painful, it is no wonder they are remaking every thing in sight. Can't Hollywood come up with something original. I mean are vampires and zombies the only thing you can come up with???

This movie make me think of the movie - Her. Not only is it similar in subject matter, it also has some shared weaknesses.

However, while both of these movies have there problems, some plot holes and such, they also have some good things as well. They have surprises, they have some unexpected, they have some good camera work and especially this one has some good special effects.

These two also have something in common that most robot movies do not have. But, if I told you what it was, it may spoil the movies.

This movie is relatively good and it touches all the right buttons and themes when it comes to the impending singularity, but brings little original. It is decently done, is watchable, and has a nice atmosphere and is relatively intelligent. Its budget is surprisingly low - standing at only 1.5 million, ten times less than an already low budget Ex Machina, which was released a year later independently, and has some similarities (and is a slightly better movie overall). Though the movie is relatively strong, it does not bring anything really new, but all the pieces are brought together in a way not done before in this plausible way. Some of the references do feel pretty corny (HAL shutdown in particular), and there is something of Terminator, some Blade Runner, and similarities to some other movies. However, the story is decently underplayed (unlike over the top movies like somewhat prone to hysteric outbursts like Transcendence), and despite of it being a straightforward, direct take on the usual themes (consciousness, freedom etc.), it still makes a pretty good, understated sci-fi noir movie, well worth a watch if you are into these kinds of things. Acting, atmosphere and writing are all well done.

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.

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.

In a near future, China is in war against the West and UK government is developing war machines to fight against the Chinese. The scientist Vincent (Toby Stephens) works in a military base developing artificial intelligence for the Ministry of Defense, using soldiers near death in his experiments. However his true intention is to find a cure to his daughter Mary (Jade Croot) that has Rett Syndrome. When Vincent meets the scientist Ava (Caity Lotz) that has developed an advanced AI, he invites her to work with him for the Defense Department. However Ava snoops around the base and the chief of the research Thomson (Denis Lawson) simulates a Chinese attempt to kill her.

Vincent decides to use Ava's face and shape to build an indestructible AI Machine. Soon he discovers that the Machine is developing feelings and growing up as human being. When Mary gets worse and has to be submitted to a surgery, Vincent learns that the Machine has life and is in love with him. But Thomson wants to transform her in a killing machine for the military.

"The Machine" is a low-budget UK movie with a promising story that is a combination of "Death Machine" (1994) and "Universal Soldier" using artificial intelligence. However the story deserved a better ending since the conclusion is very disappointing. The comparison with "Blade Runner" is ridiculous and the music score is a rip-off of the classic sci-fi music by Vangelis. Actually it could be a prequel of "Terminator" franchise but never "Blade Runner". My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Soldado do Futuro" ("Soldier of the Future")

Note: On 04 March 2023, I saw this film again.