Movie Review: Transcendence
Rated PG-13
120 minutes
Directed by Wally Pfister
Transcendence has Johnny Depp being uploaded to a computer. That's the plot, basically all of it. There's a terrible subplot with an organization who hates all technology even though they use electronics constantly with members who just come off as a bunch of assholes. There's waste of talent, as Morgan Freeman and Cilian Murphy do absolutely nothing except stand around and disapprove of computer Johnny Depp. It blows any suspense it could have by showing the end in the beginning. There's one awful scene that features 2 lines of dialogue, those being "I took this video" and "That must weigh 800 pounds," just to end right there. There's constant usage of the name Evelyn by Johnny Depp, and it imprints in your mind. And it can also be rather boring at times, as I found myself slouching in the chair during some of it.
By now, you must be asking "Corbin, why did you say Wally <i>almost</i> broke your heart? It sounds pretty broken to me." Well, it would've been an almost complete failure if not for 3 things. Those things are Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, and fascinating concepts and ideas. Depp does pretty good work here, as he turns a character that could be unreasonable and evil into a rather sympathetic one. We spend most of the movie with Evelyn, aka Rebecca Hall, and if the part was played by a lesser actress, the movie would've fallen apart. But because Hall gives her all (rhyme unintentional), the film is instead elevated.
The idea of this film consistently fascinated me. Imagining the total upload of a human mind onto a computer gave me wonder, and made me endlessly hopeful for this film. And the questions it asks about machines and emotions is rather brilliant. It asks whether machines can feel, and if they have a sense of morality. The depth that could be provided in a better film for questions like these could be fantastic.
Transcendence is ultimately a great film looking to get out beneath the crap elements to it. The original thoughts and ideas that this film provides are outstanding enough to not call this one a complete fail, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. Instead, I leave with a plea. This film is wholeheartedly original. It's everything we claim we want. So, support it. It's a dead dog, but we can give it one last kibble before it leaves. While not a good film per say, I would put this as a must see to support Hollywood making more movies like these.
2.5/5
C
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