Transcendence

Finding it quite difficult to drum up a review of this. Can't decide if it's good, bad, silly, unrealistic, or if I liked it or not. It's a slice of the future, allegedly, where a brilliant brain (consciousness) is harvested from the body of a dying genius and allowed to continue his good work in AI development from within a digital existence. It shows us how amazing and fast the resulting process of development becomes, demonstrating, for example, how human disability can be easily and quickly fixed, but ultimately how the outcome could be destructive to humanity.

Like other reviewers I've read, I'd agree that there are plot gaps and inconsistencies, little engagement for the viewer in storyline, a distinctive lack of character development and desire for investment in the process.

However, I don't think that's what this is about. It feels much like an Independent version of a Hollywood funded film with main stream actors. The actors, all playing IT/AI/Scientist nerds, do very well, are very convincing and taken in isolation, can be very much enjoyed. Johnny Depp and Morgan Freeman apply their usual command in front of the lens and Rebecca Hall is the most convincing and engaging of the players.

But the star of the film is the potential technology that is showcased as a possible slice of what could be coming our way as technology develops and machine takes over man. Think of it as a cross between Channel 4's excellent Humans and Frankenstein with a dose of ex_machina thrown in!

An enjoyable romp but a snapshot of the near future or an overenthusiastic author's dream? You can decide!