The Machine

Just fine

This has been hailed as the best British Science Fiction film since Moon. Well, I thought, on reading that comment, it wouldn't take much as I thought Moon was very overrated, admittedly one of the few who had that reaction. So it's hardly going to be surprising when I tell you that The Machine is certainly a lot better than that film, though it's not exactly perfect either.It's set a couple of decades in the future when the West's economy is on the skids as a result of a cold war with China. A secret government unit is trying to create cybernetically enhanced soldiers by experimenting on those severely injured in battle. If they don't work they're callously disposed of. Computer expert Caity Lotz is hired by cyberneticist Toby Stephens (who works for evil Denis Lawson) because she's created a computer which can pass the Turing Test -i.e. when talking to it from elsewhere it's impossible to tell if it's human or not. He uses an experimental machine he's created to map her brain (which he also uses on his young dying daughter) and when she's murdered by Chinese agents uses it to create a humanoid robot. What's interesting is not that Lotz's personality reappears in the machine, it doesn't, but the machine appears to have a consciousness and begins to the explore the world around it -not the physical world, but the world of moral choices which naturally brings it into conflict with Denis Lawson who wouldn't know a moral choice if it bit him on the fundament.What's not so good about the film. The science for one thing. It's not bad science, I was just a bit confused about exactly what science they were doing. It's almost all set indoors/underground/at night which makes for a murky viewing, though it's tonally appropriate for the film. I was never really sure about a group of subjects as to whether they were humanoid robots with/without bits of brains in them or cybernetically/surgically enhanced humans. Maybe I should watch it again and pay more attention. Though it could be because there are no subtitles on a Blu-Ray disc which is inexcusable and annoying as hell when you're somewhat deaf like me!Still, there's a lot good about it too.The cast for one. You'd expect Stephens and Lawson to be good and they are. But it's Caity Lotz who is the revelation. She is good as the human scientist but her part as the machine is subtle and nuanced and riveting. Plus, as a trained gymnast, she also does most of her own stunts. Plus, she's gorgeous.Despite the low budget and the murk, it looks good. And sometimes hideous. A character who appears early in the film has had part of his skull blown away and just covered with skin -I've seen this in real life, though here it's cgi, and to my shame I find it repulsive to look at.And there's Caity Lotz. And a bitter-sweet sting in the tail.So, flawed but good and intelligent, which, when you see what abortions pass off as SF movies these days, is no mean achievement.

If this had been a Russian film –made 30 years earlier- it would have been hailed as a masterpiece: well, actually, the good news is –it is a masterpiece!This is a highly intelligent and inventive movie –and scripted to a dialogue that will sharpen our wits. The theme is Artificial Intelligence; androids; and a simmering, but distant threat of war between China and the West: we have a script for a very fine film.‘The Machine’ is a movie that takes us into a sinister and violent journey into the unknown, but is grounded in life surviving thoughts of mortality, leading to love and possibly compassion? It is very much a cult film belonging to British ownership, with an enjoyable sense of dark humour: A highly entertaining movie in a futuristic style of an early Russian masterpiece of film making?The theme of the film will generate the horror of what is probably going to happen in anticipation of this story....and will ponder the question of the likely winners and losers of control....from war-torn and brain damaged soldiers –to the experiments liken to Frankenstein and The Borg.....the soldiers of misfortune will try to engage in conversation, and those who do, will only speak in despair: they are imprisoned and treated like lab rats?The scientists, Vincent and Ava will have no fear of adventure and discovery, but they may have agendas of their own fancy –but Ava is different and a brilliant, new scientist –she could potentially be more dangerous than the principle chief - a character that is wonderfully played in confidence and polished style by Denis Lawson........Vincent and Ava are charismatically played by Toby Stephens and Caity Lotz respectively – they remind me of Mulder and Scully ( from the X Files ) ....buzzing and engaging....Most of the action takes place in an underground building – the lightening is top draw affects, and keeps us gazed constantly at the screen: the music ( or incidental music ) is genius to keep you attentive to the action with a sinister mood of anticipation. Outstanding in my opinion: I very much like this movie, and will watch again!

I have rated this film 3 stars. Now this films great if simply needing to kill few hours but is not somthing your going to be recommending about to your friends aha.The film lacked any really tensions between the country's that are about to go to war, you never saw anything to do with it and just heard a lot about the Chinese are soon to be at war with us!!This felt importent as the films back story was based on this and was sole purpose as to why the AI research was so importent to the military.I also felt it lacked a lot of outside event atmosphere. There was never any mention into why and how these cyborgs have there own language, and to why it seemed to be part language and part wirless communication!?!?You never know what cyborgs are saying to one and other, all you see is them moving the mouth a lot to one other ahaha. What leaves you thinking "ok then why am I viewing this ahaha!" There no subtitles to explain what there saying to one and other or to the AI the story's based around.Other then this the film has strong insight to how the AI is so clever and how it can simulate almost human like reactions to any situation.There is action at the end of the film, but don't expect I-robot effects aha, it's good but not great.So to summarise this is a good film to kill some time with, but I doubt you remember watching it after a few weeks time, as it doesn't leave much of an impression.