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Transcendence Review

By Chris Boylan

Cogito Ergo Something

What would happen if you put the mind of a brilliant man inside a massive supercomputer with access to all of the world's data? Could you cure Cancer? Heal the environment? Make a great cup of cappucino? And would such an articifial intelligence be able to experience emotions... even love? These are the Big Questions which "Transcendence" asks and attempts to answer.

Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp) is the leading scientist in the field of Artificial Intelligence. His wife Evelyn (Rebecca Hall), is also a prominent AI researcher. At a scientific conference, Dr. Caster is shot by a member of an anti-technology terrorist group called RIFT (Revolutionary Independence From Technology). With the demise of her life partner looming, Evelyn attempts to tap into Will's brain to capture his essence -- his intelligence, consciousness and even soul -- and upload it to a supercomputer before his death. The experiment is a success... or at least it appears that way.

The new improved computer version of Will accesses global financial data and quickly racks up a few million dollars for Evelyn to use to build an even more massive networked super-computer and data center underground in an isolated desert town. Thus BDC (Brightwood Data Center) is created (and is it just me, or does the BDC logo resemble the word "GOD?"). With the world's data, security cameras, cell phone transmissions and more at the AI's disposal, it is able to root out and effect the capture of most of the RIFT cells and members around the world, though some manage to go off the grid to avoid detection.

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Meanwhile, these remaining RIFT members kidnap Caster's former research partner and best friend Max Waters (Paul Bettany), and attempt to enlist his help in shutting down the AI, which they believe has its own apocalyptic agenda. Meanwhile the FBI, who had been tipped off to the RIFT agents' locations and identities by Computer Will, find themselves siding with RIFT and Caster's former colleagues in a plot to take down the seemingly dangerous AI. Max Waters believes he can shut down Computer Will's code by uploading a virus into the system, but they need a way to get past Will's security measures. So Evelyn, who is frightened by what "Will" is becoming, agrees to help.

The film, directed by "The Dark Knight" cinematographer Wally Pfister, and produced by Christopher Nolan, is beautiful to look at. Slow motion water droplets drip from a sunflower onto a wooden plank. Massive white hallways and row upon row of pulsing processors make up the vibrant, yet still somehow sterile neural network that houses the artificial intelligence. If you have the opportunity to see the film in IMAX, then do so. The massive screen and enhanced sound will accentuate the film's visuals and make it even more immersive.

The film's representation of the scientific advances that Computer Will is able to implement in just a few short months is nothing short of astounding: the mortally wounded can be made whole again, even better than before; the blind can see; the crippled can walk. Damaged solar panels, buildings and even people can be quickly repaired and reconstructed through the miracle of AI-directed nanotechnology. But what makes the film relevant is that it isn't afraid to ask the big questions: can a computer be made self-aware? If so, would it have a conscience? Could it tell the difference between right and wrong, and would it care?

The film isn't perfect. The scientific advancements made by the AI are pretty unvelievable and will require a liberal suspension of disbelief. Then again, as Arthur C. Clarke once said, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." So who knows what an artificially enhanced mind could accomplish with massive computing power and data? But there are little logistical problems as well. Like why can't Computer Will hook into satellite feeds to view the location of the RIFT members and other potential threats? And how could someone's consciousness be truly captured by a few electrodes, some software and the person's recitation of a a list of words from a dictionary? That must be some pretty good software.

As a former Cognitive Science major in college, I have to give credit to the film-makers for asking and attempting to answer the big questions. I like the little inside jokes, like Evelyn staying at a hotel under the name of "Turing" (after Alan Turing, one of the pioneers in AI research in the mid twentieth century). And see if you can spot alterative thinker and enterpreneur Elon Musk in the audience at the convention.

I also applaud the film-makers for defying the traditional Hollywood formula. Yes, there are explosions and car chases, but this is not an "action" film. It is, at its heart, a dialog-driven film and a love story between a woman, a man, and the computer consciousness that may or may not have captured that man's essence. It's not a mindless popcorn flick by any means. On the contrary, it's a thought-provoking commentary on the dangers and the promise, of technology. It may not get as deep into the answers or objections as some would like, but at least it asks the right questions.

What did you think?

Movie title Transcendence
Release year 2014
MPAA Rating PG-13
Our rating
Summary Cinematographer Wally Pfister tries his hand at directing in this thought-provoking technological thriller.
View all articles by Chris Boylan
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