The Machine (2013)
Starring: Caity Lotz, Sam Hazeldine, Toby Stephens, Pooneh
Hajimohammadi, Denis Lawson
Plot: Two computer programmers create the first ever piece
of self-aware artificial intelligence, but things go terribly wrong when the
British government steals their breakthrough and teaches it to become a robotic
weapon.
My Review and Thoughts:
I am a sucker for robot movies. When I say robots, I'm
talking about all the forms, android, artificial intelligence, computers taking
over. I always enjoy finding more movies with this type of reality. This movie
went under the radar for me. I never really heard anything about it until I
finally came across it and decided to give it a go.
Truly an awesome independent film with wonderful
special-effects and amazing sci-fi reality. As we all know the government wants
to control anything that can be a weapon. They want and try to control this
intelligence but what they don't realize is the horror and the ultimate
punishment that awaits them as this machine starts to take over and to avoid
the control aspects of the humans.
I grew up watching the newer version of The Outer Limits
that ran on Showtime. Some of the episodes are truly memorable and are flawless
examples of Sci-fi film-ology. Especially dealing with the aspect of artificial
intelligence or the machine reality. Certain episodes such as Valerie 23 and
the episode Mary 25; The Machine reminds me of those episodes. Machine reminds
me of the ultra-cool reality of Machines thinking for themselves and also the
idea of the robot taking over.
I think the best way to describe this film is a mix between
the movies Terminator and a small dose of Species. A nice futuristic and
intelligent sci-fi film. It’s hard this day and age to make good
science-fiction films, especially when you're adding an intelligent reality.
The movie starts off with giving you an explanation of what
the future details: "The cold war with China has forced the west into the
deepest recession in recorded history. The new arms race is focused on ever
more powerful intelligent machines.
Truly an extraordinary and an amazing sci-fi thriller. An
outstanding sci-fi hit with a creepy reality and twisted nightmare visions.
The acting is flawless. The amazing award of brilliance goes
to Caity Lotz playing the part of Ava.
Many will know here from the TV series’
The Arrow on the WB. She aced the part of Ava and thoroughly entertains the
viewer from start to finish.
Toby Stephens gives a wonderful performance as Vincent the
Machine guru and part of the organization building the Machines. Always truly a
great sophisticated actor. You can see him recently in the TV series Black
Sails.
I love the mysterious side of this film. The unrelenting
thriller plays with you. The communication between the robots are awesome.
There are different type of machines. Two types, one are soldiers suffering
through dramatic brain injuries that are implanted with a device inside their
mind and the other is an actual machine.
Also starring the wonderful Sam Hazeldine. He most recently
starred as one of the returned in the awesome TV show Resurrection. I will definitely
remember him as James in this.
Vincent hires Ava for her programming skills and her new
program she has created. Soon while at the secret base she starts to hear
whispering and explores the secrets throughout the hidden facility. Ava realizes
that the secrets and lies and mysterious cover-ups are something far deeper and
darker then she could ever know.
Written and directed masterfully by Caradog W. James. This
is written perfect and directed amazingly. An instant sci-fi classic. A must
see and must experience film. James created a magical sci-fi for this
generation. A gifted storyteller that shined in this film.
This wonderful low-budget, dark atmospheric film has won
some awards which it greatly deserves. Won three BAFTA Cymru awards. It also
won Best of UK Film Award at Raindance Film Festival, and Achievement against
the Odds Prize by the British Independent Film Awards. I feel this is an
instant modern classic of indie perfection.
Part killer machine movie and part bad government
conspiracy. This story leads the viewer on an interesting trip into this
intelligent sci-fi thriller and an ultimate original futuristic plot that will
remain with you until the very end.
An awesome modern day sci-fi of perfection.