Good science fiction takes a what if story and makes it
interesting. Great science fiction takes the same idea and makes it not only
seem plausible but presents the result of the story as well. The right
combination of science, storytelling and terror makes for some of the most
interesting science fiction put on film, ALIEN being a prime example. Now we
have EX MACHINA.
The story revolves around three main characters. Caleb (Domhnall
Gleason) is a code writer for a hugely successful search engine company. He
wins a contest going on to select a single individual who will work with the
creator of the company, a scientific genius who is also a bit of a recluse and
working on his next project. Nathan (Oscar Isaac) is that inventor and he takes
on the mad scientist role in this film.
Our third character gets her place in the mix thanks to
Nathan. It seems that Nathan has been working on creating a pure A.I.
(Artificial Intelligence). A definition for A.I. is “The
ability of a computer or other machine to perform actions thought to require intelligence.” In
essence it’s making a machine or computer able to think on its own without
requiring its creator to input everything into it. Nathan thinks he has done
just this and has brought Caleb to a remote retreat in the forest to see if he
has accomplished this with Ava (Alicia Vikander), a robot he has created.
Ava is unlike most robots. Rather
than a metal construct alone she is an amalgamation of things we’ve seen in the
past. Her body resembles the structure of a human being but is made up of wires
and metal surrounded by a clear plastic. Her face and portions of her head have
been made to resemble and attractive woman, allowing her not just the look of a
human but the ability to express emotion should she/it so choose. What Nathan
suggest is that Caleb spend time interviewing and observing Ava to see if she
truly possesses artificial intelligence or if she is merely just another
machine.
All of the interaction between
Caleb and Ava is being monitored and watched by Nathan via cameras located
throughout the house. Their discussions and back and forth give him an
opportunity to observe Ava and learn more as well as to determine the goal he
set forth for Caleb. But there is a glitch in the power system of the house
that shuts down and reboots periodically. During one of these short blackouts
Ava leans forward and tells Caleb that he should not trust Nathan, that he has
a different intent for them both. Before he can ask for more information the
power comes back on.
This sets up a strange dynamic
between characters as Caleb isn’t quite sure who to trust and what is actually
going on here. Nathan, prone to seemed megalomania and short bursts of anger,
has a tendency to drink too much and seem less and less like someone of genius.
At the same time having created Ava it makes it difficult to believe he doesn’t
possess just that. But has he come unhinged living out here in the middle of
nowhere with no company except for Ava and an oriental servant who speaks no
English named Kyoko (Sonoya Mizuno)? Is something else going on here that Caleb
needs to be aware of?
Toss into the mix the emotions
that Caleb begins to feel for Ava. A stereotypical nerd with no girlfriend and
no family back home, he begins to grow attached to the robot. With her ability
to display emotions and if she does indeed have the ability to think on her
own, the question comes to mind, just who is manipulating whom? Is Nathan truly
insane or is Ava the one in charge of it all?
The movie does a great job of
combining the odd mixture of science possibility, emotional turmoil and
suspense that results in a movie that is both interesting complex at the same
time. The one thing that might bother some is the slow boil that the movie uses
to establish all that is going on behind the scenes. Secrets that creep up in
the mind aren’t presented with solutions until the last 20 minutes or so. Some
will find it incredibly boring to get to that point but all of the information
gained from that slow moving first part of the film is necessary to understand
what happens after.
The performances are done well but
nothing outlandishly outstanding either. Gleason does a fine job seeming
perplexed while Isaac’s seemingly mad doctor rants coupled with alcoholic
stupor result in presenting what could be the most dangerous person in the
room. Vikander has the most difficult part and does well presenting a robot
that displays few emotions via visuals but does so in her mannerisms and
communication skills.
The ending of the film presents a well thought out
solutions to the entire movie and doesn’t lack for shock value and surprise. It
leaves you thinking about the dangers of A.I. as well as the possibilities.
Rather than question the attempts of man to act as God the movie instead
focuses on the reaction of creation towards creator. In so doing you have a
movie that offers one of the better science fiction outings in some time.
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