Ex-Machinna tackles the same old artificial intelligence conundrum which we’ve grown accustomed to in a unique and interesting way.
The premise of this movie is simple enough, a billionaire recluse (Nathan) has built a female android (Ava). She walks, she talks, she is able to process thought and read human micro-expressions better than any human can. A lucky nerd (Caleb) from the Nathan’s search engine company is invited to spend a week with the illusive billionaire, in his beautiful estate hours away from the nearest helicopter launch field. Nathan’s home is beautiful, eerie and downright sterile on the inside, whilst the nature which surrounds it is free, wild and contrasting.
The location of Ex-Machina is spectacular, and will make you wonder how such a beautiful place has existed so long without you having visited it. But it serves a juxtaposition against the house and a constant reminder of what’s real and what’s not.
Ava, much to Caleb’s delight, is amazing. She’s able to process conversation, make jokes, she grows. And with this, I leave it.
This movie is not quite what the trailer had implied it to be, it is much more. A movie with a great plot and script. It is definitely one where you will need to bring your brain with you when you watch it, process what is happening.
Ex-Machina could have done very well at the box office if it had larger names attached to it. That said, it’s lack of star power also makes it incredibly enjoyable to watch. As there are no pre-conceptions as to who was villain, hero, friend or foe.
This movie had me guessing and second guessing myself and the plot along the way, often making me wonder what was going on, but the Easter Eggs were there along the way, there for you to discover upon reflection.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the sci-fi genre, or just curious for something that’s a little different. It is definitely not a fun movie you throw in when you’re in the mood for pizza, a beer and a good laugh.
Rating: 9/10, it had left me thinking of the possibility of what tech nerd millionaires and billionaires are doing right now. They can’t all be playing their X-boxes and jet skiing.
See it again: Maybe, sometime in the future, but after seeing the end, I feel like it’s been wrapped up quite nicely for me as a story.
Worth my time: Yes, artificial intelligence stories are more or less the same, it is interesting when they’re different, and make you think. As a species, we are definitely not ready for our computers/service droids to be smarter. We’re just not smart enough to deal with AI.
Take my mother: No, mum likes happy fluffy stuff and the odd shoot them up kind of thing, this is definitely not her cup of tea.
Talking points: How close are we to having actual AI androids? And what will happen once we have one? And should they have the ability to hook up onto the web? I am going to say no, that’s one seriously dangerous connection.
Annoyance factor: 3/10, I don’t know why, but I was a little annoyed with it every now and then as a movie. Smart people are not always smart.
Ranter & Banter 