Transcendence (2014)

Will Caster (Johnny Depp) has been developing a self-aware AI for many years, with the help of his wife Evelyn (Rebecca Hall). He has relied also on the groundbreaking work of several colleagues in the field, such as personal friends Max Waters (Paul Bettany) and Joseph Tagger (Morgan Freeman), among others.

When our story begins, Will is giving a presentation to potential investors about the future of AI, and how it can advance not only the human race, but also technology in general, and indeed the wider world.

However, there is also a vigilante group who have been targeting AI researchers across the country, and even around the world. One of the members of this group - present at the event - shoots Will in the foyer after the seminar.

Will is fortunate that the bullet merely grazed him, so at first it seems like he will be okay and make a full recovery. However, the bullet was laced with polonium, so slowly but surely, his internal organs and nervous system begin to shut down, and he is told he has only a few months left to live.

Will Caster (Johnny Depp), Evelyn Caster (Rebecca Hall) and Max Waters (Paul Bettany).

As he faces the end of his life, and Evelyn faces the rest of her life alone, they come up with a 'terrible' - at least it is terrible to everyone who knows them, the two of them see no issue with it - plan; that is, to upload Will's consciousness to the computer they have been developing the AI system on, so that he can not only continue to live on - in a digital form - but AI as a concept can continue to develop.

The vigilante group, however - led by a young intern named Bree (Kate Mara), who had worked with Max in the past - continue their campaign against all advancement of AI technology.

Their crimes - they have already killed a number of researchers - are investigated by FBI Agent Buchanan (Cillian Murphy), with assistance from Joseph Tagger.

I'll leave the plot description there for now, you can experience it for yourself if you so choose.

Joseph Tagger (Morgan Freeman).

The screenplay, by Jack Paglen, is clever enough. The characters are reasonably well-defined, and there are plenty of plot twists to keep you guessing and keep you interested until the film's conclusion. That being said, a lot of the plot points are relatively standard for a film in this genre, so there aren't a lot of surprises for anyone used to films of this nature, but it is still interesting enough to keep you watching.

Mychael Danna's score likewise is relatively standard for the genre. It's not bad, in fact, it's fine for what it is, but there isn't anything too adventurous or outlandish in the score or the instrumentation. The music is suited well to the film, however, with all the major significant emotional points highlighted well by the addition of music. The film doesn't feel overscored at any point, either, which is good.

The production design, by Chris Seagers, is excellent, transporting the viewer directly into the middle of the film's world and environment. From tech servers to a post-apocalyptic world, everything has been created to suit the film, and it does so to a tee.

Agent Buchanan (Cillian Murphy).

Cast performances are again standard for the genre. Johnny Depp is perhaps not as good in this film as he has been in others, then again, he doesn't have a lot of screen time, so it's harder to judge for certain. While there may not be a lot of emotion or rise and fall in his voice for most of the film, for most of the film, he is nothing more than an AI interface, so this actually works well.

Rebecca Hall gives an amazing performance as Evelyn, particularly in the more intense emotional moments, when one assumes she is delivering her performance to an empty room - without the benefit of another actor to 'bounce off' emotionally - which only adds to the impressiveness of what she can convey.

Director Wally Pfister has made a fairly standard science fiction thriller here, that is certainly enjoyable enough to warrant more than one viewing. I have seen this film a few times now, and it still affects me each time, so that must be saying something. If you haven't seen it, it is certainly worth a watch; there is plenty to think about and discuss afterwards.

7 out of 10.