Transcendence: Very Close to a Sentient Computer!

Hello everybody! Today we have Johnny Depp’s most recent attempt at film, Transcendence.

TRANSCENDENCE

DIRECTOR: Wally Pfister

STARRING: Johnny Depp, Morgan Freeman, Rebecca Hall, Kate Mara, Cillian Murphy, Cole Hauser, Paul Bettany

GENRE: Science Fiction

YEAR: 2014

COUNTRY: United Kingdom, China, United States

Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp) 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.

Transcendence is an interesting film and I felt that it was released at the perfect time. People are afraid that as we push the boundaries of technology we will eventually make a smart enough computer that will become sentient and rule the world. Transcendence definitely has the same feel as late 1990s science fiction film, but it feels updated and it works.  Wally Pfister, an ace cinematographer known for many blockbuster films, makes his directorial debut and the film looks awesome. His cinematography background truly shines throughout the film.  Transcendence takes an interesting (yet outdated) concept and updates it for the new generation.

Let me put this out there right now, Transcendence is far from perfect Johnny Depp struggles throughout the entire film, his acting background definitely doesn’t show at all. What happened Johnny Depp? Why did you take this role? I could see so many other actors that could have filled the role better than you did. While Wally Pfister is an awesome cinematographer, I feel that he should stay out of directing. The narrative was strong through the first half of the film, but logic problems and plot holes completely ruin the rest of the film. I don’t feel like anyone will absolutely love Transcendence, they will definitely like it or extremely hate it.

PROS:

•  Interesting concept.
• Beautiful visuals.
• Great timing for release.

CONS:

•  Disappointing narrative.
• Johnny Depp’s performance.

SCORE: 6.5 / 10

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