Rating: 
Summary: Unique, Special.
Review: I was not sure what to expect when walking into AI. Some trustworthy friends said "It is amazing" others said "it was awful"...so I decided to check it out for myself. I like Steven Spielbergs work, I love Haley Joel Osments talent for characterizing each person he plays, and Jude Laws special flair. I sat down wondering whether this would be a dark "flesh fair" for 2 and 1/2 hours, or a lighter yet introspective comedy. It was a delightful combination of both. It had periods of Kubrick's serious, dark light shed upon the human race, combined with Spielbergs joy of storytelling. Though it isn't without flaws (a few false endings), it was overall a job very well done.Haley Joel Osment's performance was not only touching and amazing, but it also had the depth and quality that you would expect from Kevin Spacey or Tom Hanks. He incorporated his youthful innocence with the darkness of the world surrounding him. His performance deserves and Oscar nod, if not a standing ovation. Jude Law once again showed his amazing talent to morph into whatever character he is assigned. He changed his identity and even looks just by acting. The two of the combined make a dramatic powerhouse which is so natural that you don't notice what a wonderful job these two actors are doing until after. AI was truly a one-of-a-kind movie. It was very hard to distinguish what the rating should have been. PG seems to young, and R seems to old, yet PG-13 seems somehow wrong. It has a depth to it that puts it out of place. I think it is as appropriate as it could be. A thinker, not doubt, but a classic in its own time.
Rating:
Summary: The movie is real....
Review: ..."A.I." -- great science fiction. "A.I." is not a stock film...it is not "Terminator," it is not "Jurassic Park," it is not "Planet of the Apes." It will force you to let your neurons fire off...but only if you allow it to. It will make you ask some deep and perhaps disturbing questions, but again, only if you allow it. Will we in fact let global warming do us in? Is there a possibility of a machine/human hybrid? (Ask that question this week as you watch the first totally implantable human heart on the evening news.) Can machines ("mecha's") be capable of love? The movie offers a palatable answer here (yes). The more disturbing question, can humans be capable of loving machines, has a disturbing answer as well. This movie takes unexpected twists and turns -- that's what great movies do. ....This story is an E-ticket ride, but not in the same sense as "Independence Day," which is more like a roller coaster ride. "A.I." will thrill you if you are a fan of science fiction, good story-telling, and are open to any and all possibilities, especially those that are not the fare of sitcoms and sound bites and superficiality. My prescription for those who have not seen it yet: Take a bathroom break first, then open the coke, the goodies, and your mind, to something that is unlike any movie you've seen thus far. I'm going back to catch many of the nuances that I may have missed the first time. Enjoy...
Rating: 
Summary: Judge for Yourself.....
Review: After reading some of the reviews, it's obvious that depending on your state of mind, your perception will be quite different. The first half of the movie was vital to the ending, yet, I felt it was painstakingly slow judging by the way my 11 year old fidgeted in his seat. I was delighted when the pace picked up when the little mecha boy, Martin, began his journey into Oz, if you want to use Oz as an analogy. How the movie could end at this point, as others have suggested is absolutely ridiculous! Everything came together in the ending. All I have to add about that is I have never in my life, displayed such control over my emotions as I did with this film. I wanted to just stand up and yell stop, I can't handle any more of this painful longing for acceptance. Maybe you have to be or once have been, a child who is unloved and in search of love to have this movie touch your very soul. If you can sit through the first part, which is just a set-up, I strongly feel you will understand the message of the movie and its commentary on a possible future society, and the emotional impact of trying to belong to that society. But only if you have a heart......or are in search of one to share yours with.
Rating:
Summary: AN ASTONISHING AND DISTURBING FILM...
Review: This is a film that is both entertaining and thought provoking. It raises some questions about concepts and emotions that human beings sometimes take for granted. It is also a spinoff of the fairy tale "Pinocchio", with William Hurt as "Geppetto" and Haley Joel Osment as the sci-fi version of "Pinocchio". Haley Joel Osment, as the mechanical creation, "David", who just wants to be a real boy, gives the performance of a lifetime. If he does not get an Oscar for his performance, then I do not know what the standards are. Suffice to say, he is nothing short of sublime in the starring role. He is, without a doubt, one of the best child actors of all time. Jude Law, as "Gigolo Joe", a mechanical love machine expressly created for the purpose of servicing the carnal desires of women, gives a riveting performance, as well. While he is great in the role, he is, as is everyone else in the film, totally upstaged by his pint-sized co-star, Haley Joel Osment. The movie takes place sometime in the future, when human look alike robots, nicknamed "Mechas", assist humans in their every day lives. They are very realistic, but stop short of feeling or demonstrating real emotion. They are merely mechanical creations, made to service humans, and all are made to adult scale. William Hurt, as a hot shot engineer with Cybertronics, a firm that makes "Mechas", decides to improve upon this further, by creating a "Mecha" child who will be able to love back, thus filling a market need. Shortly thereafter, "David" is created and placed with a family who has a son who is appears to be comatose and terminally ill. Initially, all goes well, and his "mother" grows to love David, setting into play a sequence of events that will have impact on the entire family, including David, who loves his "mother" unconditionally. When her biological son, Martin, miraculously recovers from his illness and returns home, things at home start to change for David, as issues of territoriality and jealousy arise. Though under pressure from her husband, David's "mother" finds herself unable to do what she is contractually mandated to do, should she wish to free herself of David. Instead, she abandons him in the woods with some cautionary, tearful advice. This sets David off on a fairy tale quest that, no matter what the setbacks, will always be singular in scope. He wants to find his mother, whom he loves, and return to the place he perceives to be his home. What happens to David along his singleminded journey is certainly disturbing, and always thought provoking. His quest will expose him to the underbelly of life, and take him on a journey that is the stuff of dreams and, at times, nightmares. It is a story of hope and, at times, profound despair. One thing, however, is certain. It is unlikely that there will be a dry eye in the house. While some may claim that this is merely a manipulative ploy, I say it is movie making at its best, as it compels the audience to emotionally react. At the same time, it raises thought provoking questions. In this day, where the words "genome", "clone", and "stem cell" are part of one's everyday vocabulary, maybe we should be giving this film some considerable thought. All in all, this is quality movie making at its best. With spectacular, first class, special effects, and superlative acting, it makes for a movie viewing experience that should not be missed. While the film may be a little uneven in parts, this may be due to the joining of two very divergent, and diametrically opposed, styles, that of Spielberg, who still looks at the world with childlike wonder and rose colored glasses, and that of the late Stanley Kubrick, who had a darker vision and more cynical take on life. Nonetheless, in years to come, I have little doubt that this film will be classified as a masterpiece. Watch this movie. It will tear your heart apart.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece!
Review: I love movies that make you think and this is one of those. I cannot believe that so many people are complaining how this movie wasn't entertaining and not Kubrick's real vision. This film is absolutely amazing! I have never seen a film that caught the entire audiences' abosulte attention, the theatregoers were plastered into their seats with their jaws dropped through the entire movie (even the long slow scenes). The visuals are stunning, Osment's performance is creepy at first but then his performance turns touching and moving. People were literally shedding tears at the film's finale. The cinematography is perfect, John Williams' score sets the film's tone. This movie isn't perfect but it's close. This is absolutely one of the greatest movies of the new millennium. If you think that this movie seems to childish to see you are greatly mistakened, it was just advertised that way. This movie has a lot of adult subject matter i.e. sex robots, a murder, David's obsession, and some intense 'not for children' scenes. I will definitely buy this movie on DVD once it is released. Kubrick would've been very pleased.
Rating:
Summary: A.I. A flawed Spielberg (don't blame Kubrick) masterpiece.
Review: I have read many of the reviews by people who have seen Steven Spielberg's "A.I." and I am perplexed. Truly, this inspired film was directed by Spielberg, and yet people keep saying that it would have been different had Stanley Kubrick directed it. Did you see Kubrick's last film? Some reviewers have stated that Spielberg has 'lost touch' with what audiences want. Kubrick was NEVER in touch with audiences and sometimes that wasn't so good ('Barry Lyndon' seemed to last forever and you couldn't stand any of the characters; 'The Shining' was NEVER faithful to Stephen King's novel; though the first hour of 'Full Metal Jacket' was brilliant, the second hour was not; and 'Eyes Wide Shut' was a complete mess). Perhaps, and only perhaps, Spielberg saved this movie from becoming another Kubrick failure. Don't get me wrong, I love many of Kubrick's films, and even in 'Eyes Wide Shut' there were 'fleeting' moments of brilliance. And I don't like all of Spielberg's films either. But 'A.I.', even though it was a little long, and the 'Close Encounters' alien ending could have been left on the cutting room floor, was, up to that point, brilliant. When 'Blade Runner' came out, audiences stayed away in droves. Now it's considered a classic. Before making 'E.T.', no studio in Hollywood wanted to make Spielberg's fantasy because they thought the title character wasn't 'cute' enough. 'E.T.' sure fooled a lot of people. 'A.I.' is not getting the great reviews today because, with a film like this, it will take time for people to digest it - to understand what Spielberg (Kubrick) and the original writer was trying to say. 'A.I.' is indeed a flawed masterpiece and I do say 'masterpiece'. No, it's not 'The Mummy' or 'Tomb Raider' or 'Mission Impossible'. Nor is it '2001: A Space Odyssey' (and that great film was considered extremely 'boring' by 1968 audiences). One reviewer mentioned that their favorite Spielberg film was 'Empire of the Sun', a box office failure. Now suddenly there are a lot more people who want to see this 'flop' (I agree that 'Empire of the Sun' is a sensational film but misunderstood at the time). 'Time will tell' on 'A.I.' The performances by Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law and Frances O'Connor are first rate. Some of the dark scenes aren't always easy to watch, but perhaps we are simply comparing these scenes with the first hour when we are first learning to care about 'David'. And comparing the film to 'Pinocchio' and 'The Wizard of Oz' is preposterous. Those were classics that have stood the test of time (and 'Pinocchio' was considered a box office flop when it was first released). The test of time will tell us whether 'A.I.' turns into an all-time classic or not. Meanwhile, I would keep an open mind and go see the film. I can't imagine anything else this summer being as controversial or as imaginative as 'A.I.' It's a film that definitely has to be seen. We live in a dumbed-down society where 'Austin Powers' rules. When a movie like this comes along, we don't know how to react. If we can't be busting our sides with guilty pleasures ('There's Something About Mary') or jumping out of our seats with excitement ('Armageddon', 'Independence Day', 'Phantom Menace') or crying our eyes out ('Titanic'), we don't know how to react. It's what makes 'A.I.' so fascinating. It's unlike anything we have seen in a very, very long time. I expect you to love it or to hate it, and that's what good movie-making is all about. Kubrick's 'Eyes Wide Shut' was hailed by many critics, and crucified by many others. You'll just have to take my word for it and see 'A.I.' It may be flawed, and too long, but it's a movie you'll never forget.
Rating:
Summary: Artificial Intelligence is great!
Review: It is the best movie I have ever seen. I love it. It is definitely worth seeing. It's wonderful!
Rating:
Summary: Haley Joel Osment gives an Oscar-worthy performance!
Review: Spielberg's immensely imaginitive mind and incredible artistic vision, along with superb acting, blend this movie into one of my favorite films of all time! Osment is a child genius in his portrayal of David. The first child robot programmed to love. When his family's lost child recovers and comes home. His mother leaves him in the forest alone and he is set on a "Pinnochio" journey to find the Blue Fairy and become a real boy along with his pal Gigolo Joe (Jude Law). The special effects are amazing! The voices of Chris Rock and Robin Williams also make cameo appearances. I would really like to see Osment win an Oscar for this incredible role which portrayals with absolute perfection. I recommend this film to all Spielberg, Osment, or Sci-fi fans
Rating:
Summary: Yeah, You Either Love it or Hate It
Review: I find it very impressive the severe differences of opinion on this film, especially from those who think it the worst abomination ever committed on screen. My own take is of a complex, poignant, thoughtful, eminently worthwhile film that probably needs more than one viewing to fully appreciate. How people can dismiss this as even beneath the usual no-think disposable mall junk is beyond me; this is probably one of the few films of 2001 that will still be viewed and enjoyed thirty years from now.
Rating:
Summary: It's the best film I've ever seen.
Review: I see lots of movies. I really have a passion for movies. However, even with all the many movies I've seen, "A.I." is probably the best I've ever seen. The reason: I've never had such a strong emotional reaction to one movie before. This does not mean that I cried at it. I've never seen a movie before where I couldn't stop thinking about it for four days straight. Sound kinda weird, doesn't it. I couldn't do anything else. I didn't even want to go outside. I just couldn't do anything but think about the movie. It really is a deceptively moving story. The film gives a very real response to a simple question: "How would people respond to a person or being that knows nothing but love?" I feel that the answer is very true. People would be afraid. Afraid of something with that much love. It really is very tragic, the consequences of David, the main character's, actions. He doesn't know how to do anything but love. His only desires are to love and be loved back. This causes a problem, because while it may be easy to love someone, it is much more difficult to understand that they love you back. Haley Joel Osment has become, in my opinion, one of the best actors around right now. He is completely convincing as David, the child-like robot. I follow the oscars very closely, and feel that I am able to predict winners and nominees very well. I honestly think that A.I. should be a major contendor for some of the major oscars, particularly Best Supporting Actor (Jude Law) and best Actor (Haley Joel Osment). Unfortunately, I have a gut feeling that Osment will not win. I know that the Academy often overlooks child performances, but Osment's performance in "A.I." really is something extraordinary. The rest of the film is great, too. There is not a single scene that seems out of place or unnecessary. I really hope that many of you will see "A.I." so you can experience for yourselves just how amazing the film is.
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