By Julia DiFiori
Life Editor
The ethics of artificial intelligence have always been a controversial topic, but the intensity of this controversy has increased in recent years as scientific advancements have reached new heights. The complexity of this contention, as well as questions about what it means to be human, are explored in the science fiction film “Ex Machina.”
While the film excels in sparking interest through its compelling plot, believable characters, polished performances, strong dialogue and realistic images, it fails to depict the story in a creative manner, slightly detracting from the overall success of the movie.
The movie follows a coder named Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) who works at the biggest internet company in the world. He allegedly wins a company-wide lottery to spend a week with the company’s CEO, Nathan (Oscar Isaac). Upon arriving at Nathan’s expansive estate, Caleb discovers that Nathan has selected Caleb to participate in his attempt at creating artificial intelligence through a robot, which appears as a beautiful young woman called Ava (Alicia Vikander).
Another major highlight of the film is its look to a potential version of the scientific world’s future, the plot is simple and plausible yet original and tantalizing. This storyline serves as a solid foundation upon which the movie’s events can unfold.
Supplementing the unique plot, the infusion of wit and humor in the script serves as a valuable opportunity to break up the tense atmosphere of the film. For instance, the conversations between Caleb and Nathan have hints of comedic banter that alleviate the seriousness of the movie. Complete with quality performances by the cast and realistic computer-generated images, the film grips viewers with its genuine feel.
Further enhancing the movie, the performances of all three stars are notable for the captivating and credible portrayals of their characters. Gleeson’s depiction of Caleb as an intelligent, somewhat awkward young man is convincing, as is Isaac’s performance as a brilliant, puzzling and alcohol-loving recluse. Even Vikander succeeds in conveying her robotic role well through calculated mannerisms and voice patterns.
Another well-executed aspect of the movie is the computer generated images (CGI), which are hauntingly realistic and add to the film’s haunting viscerality. Ava’s robotic machinery is both sleek and intricate, and it does not stand out as a noticeable CGI, keeping the movie cohesive and natural. The success of the acting performances and CGI are integral in making the science fiction film believable.
The film also excels with its interesting and slightly experimental use of sound effects, the filmmakers capitalize intensity of the subject matter to elevate the mood. For example, in a manifestation of the blurred lines between outrageous scientific achievement and moral reality, Caleb cuts open his arm as if he expects robotic wiring instead of blood to spill out. In this scene, blaring sounds increase in volume as the extremity of emotion does, resulting in a jarring and unique cinematic experience.
However, “Ex Machina” lacks in its cinematography. The shots and editing fall flat where they could be interesting and inventive. Few creative angles are integrated into the cuts, but such originality could drastically improve the movie.
The static nature of the cinematography is made worse by the poor utilization of music in the movie. Hardly any is used at all, dulling the tone of the movie. As demonstrated by the successful experimentation with sound effects, greater attention to the soundtrack could have easily elevated the quality of the film.
Despite these weaknesses, “Ex Machina” proves intriguing until its end. Though it may be insufficient in areas such as cinematography and scoring, the film tells a riveting story in a relevant manner with genuine characters, heartfelt performances, well-written dialogue and quality images.
“Ex Machina” is rated R and is now playing in select theaters nationwide.
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