From: John Grigg (starman2100@lycos.com)
Date: Fri Mar 08 2002 - 01:55:55 MST
I decided to repost my initial review of A. I. which I wrote soon after having seen it. As can be easily seen, I was quite hyped about it despite some definite reservations.
Ultimately, I think many of you are being far too hard on the film, but I do see where you are coming from! lol I DEARLY wish Kubrick had lived to make this film. Despite Spielberg's claims to the contrary, the movie would have been vastly different with Kubrick at the helm.
For one thing, Damien Broderick shared with the list how author Brian Aldiss in the original story had the android boy as a very sophisticated program to in a sense "fool" humans into thinking it was truly sentient and had emotions. Only the most perceptive humans could pick up on this though. Obviously, the film went in a different direction.
But at least the film showed A.I. in a way which could create public sympathy. Even if this technology down the road does not come in the form of sweet little boys, this film will cause many people to see A.I. research as something good, and not to be ridiculed or protested against.
best wishes,
John
*review*
I saw A. I. on its first day here in Anchorage with GREAT anticipation, since it was the number one movie this summer I wanted to view. The advance reviews I had read of it in Newsweek and elsewhere said it was one of Spielberg's greatest films, if not his best ever.
I was not disappointed. Spielberg was in very top form, and I feel translated the notes of Kubrick into a truly great film. And as critics have pointed out, there are many layers and aspects to this movie, which can make it appeal to a wide demographic.
The mother/son/Pinnochio aspect of the film grabbed my heartstrings and pulled hard. I felt tears well up in my eyes during several scenes. I think it would be hard for any person to not be touched by the depiction of humankind's inhumanity to his/her own creation.
With this film, the public will be getting positive memes about artificial intelligence and robotics, which could really influence longterm public opinion about the machines which will actually exist in future decades. This film, due to its greatness, will continue to be viewed for many years into the future. I'm happy about that...
I would consider this film to be a "science fiction fairy tale", both because of the way it was based on the tale of Pinnochio, and because of how it ended on sort of a sad metaphysical note.
My heart jumped as I saw the depiction of the posthumans and their astounding vehicles! I was so impressed by the thought which must have gone into their depiction in the film. Did anyone else notice a sense of similarity in comparison to the aliens from Spielberg's "Close Encounters" film? I felt like I was actually looking at the future mind children of humanity.
They were obviously the advanced sentient nanotech beings which people like Drexler and Robert Frietas have envisioned. And yet they had the wisdom, kindness, and love which Ray Kurzweil speaks of.
The scene where the posthuman talks with the android boy really affected me. Audience members may have been somewhat creeped out by the posthuman physical appearance, but with their deep concern to the android boy shown in warm vocal tones, it would be hard to not be totally won over. I think an important meme was sent out by that simple scene.
I loved this film, but had some problems with the ending. I wish the far-future "machine people" had told the boy that in fact humanity was not gone, but instead it had simply transformed into what they were! I wish, I wish, I wish!
Also, I found doubtful the whole idea that a scan of the space/time continuum could result in a flawed upload program which would result in only ONE day of life for the resurrectee! I don't see any real science in it. But then, like I said before, this is more of a "science fiction fairy tale" and not straight science fiction.
Of course, for emotional impact the idea worked very well. I felt pained as the android boy had his one perfect day with his once again loving and devoted mother. As they go to bed and he decides to never awaken himself I felt so sad.
Often traditional fairy tales did have sad endings, to teach a lesson of some sort. And I think in our real world of pain, disappointment, and death you can see why a positive and hopeful ending would feel untrue to the audience. But then again, Hollywood is notorious for happy endings in films, even when the movie is in a sense ruined by it.
I realize Spielberg was trying to be true to the vision of Stanley Kubrick, who in turn based his notes on the short story by Brian Aldiss. I have not yet read the Aldiss story, but would assume it ended on a sad note as the film itself did.
I would have ended the film differently (thinking as an extropian!). Starting off, the posthuman would have explained he was the direct descendant of humanity, and possibly even an upload.
There would have been no "technical problem" with scanning the universe to recover/simulate his mother's mind. Or else she would have been a total simulation based on his memories of her.
They would have lived in a replica of their old home, but in time they would have grown curious about what lay beyond it. The final scene of the movie would have them venturing forth into the posthuman world, with the spokesperson posthuman as their guide and friend. In my opinion, that would have been the way to end it.
Still, I dearly loved this film, and feel many great memes are being spread throughout the world with it. I think Brian Aldiss, Stanley Kubrick, and Steven Spielberg (along with all the actors and crew) have created something which will definitely increase the chances of our successful transition to the singularity. I am very grateful.
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