A.I. Artificial Intelligence (Widescreen Special Edition)

Rating:
Summary: So Much Potential...But Doesn't Work
Review: For any mature adult or person, they can see no doubt that this movie has so many in depth and profound themes that are somewhat haunting and intriguing, and yet beautiful and a bit ambiguous at the same time. I give 5 stars for the originality and message of this film. The only problem is that it eventually goes from being...interesting...to... okay...to... is it over yet?..then to... C'MON, WE GET THE PICTURE, WHEN IS THIS STORY EVER GOING TO END! This movie is just too slow and too long. It eventually becomes quite a bore, and gets kind of silly, weird, and just pointless. This movie had so much potential, the conception of it is brilliant, and yet it comes off as being disappointing because 1) it's not complete, 2) it's not comprehensible all the way, and 3) eventually you lose interest in the movie all together. Too bad.

Rating:
Summary: A Spoiled Masterpiece
Review: [Contains slight spoilers.] First of all, this is not a movie for kids. It is too deep and the underlying themes are for adults.

Second, this is an odd production, because it was worked on by both Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg. Spielberg took over the project when Kubrik died. I was excited when I heard a Kubrick movie was coming out that wasn't a strong R, but then I was disappointed to see what Spielberg did to it. Spielberg spoiled the movie wherever he touched it. Kubrick's and Spielberg's styles are like oil and water - they don't mix. Kubrick created a deep, original movie with great sci-fi elements. But then Spielberg added in some of his worst characteristics as a director - goofy cartoons, a sappy ending, etc. (Sort of like `Spartacus' meets `Who Framed Roger Rabbit'.)

Having said all that, I still recommend you see this movie at least once - just try to ignore the Spielberg elements. If you stop watching after the scene near the end when the kid is talking to the statue of a woman (you'll know what I mean when you see it) it will be a better and more profound experience.

This was a very thought-provoking movie for me. How do we really view others around us? Would we treat them any differently if they were (perfectly created) robots? What does it mean to be human?

I also skipped over the robot torture scene in the middle of the movie. It was too disturbing, and I didn't want to watch it.