Transcendence
Tech thriller starring Johnny Depp, Morgan Freeman and Rebecca Hall. As scientists achieve technological singularity (the point at which artificial intelligence surpasses the intellect of humans), a radical anti-technology organisation fights to stop them. The directorial debut for Christopher Nolan's long-time cinematographer, Wally Pfister.
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Rebecca Barry Hill
flicksIf you’re planning to watch Transcendence simply to see Johnny Depp as nature intended (no wigs, crazy makeup or prosthetics) you might be disappointed. As Will Caster, a scientist who becomes a ghost in the machine, Depp’s performance, largely portrayed as the equivalent of a Skype call, is about as electrifying as your new iPad mini.
What was everyone afraid of?
I love movies that explore the integration of human intelligence with technology. Transcendence goes the whole hog and proposes a complete uploading of human consciousness into the digital world. A little far-fetched, yes, but no less than the transporter technology of the USS Enterprise, which uploads not only the consciousness, but the entire body as...
Variety
pressThe script and Pfister’s heavy, humorless direction tend to reduce everything to simplistic standoffs between good and evil.
Time Out
pressNot even in the enjoyable realm of starkly ridiculous Cold War thrillers like "Colossus: The Forbin" Project.
The New York Times
pressA dark, lurchingly entertaining pastiche of age-old worries, future-shock jolts, hot-button topics and old-fashioned genre thrills.
The Guardian
pressSuffers from terrible timing, arriving a few months after Spike Jonze charmed audiences with his semi-futuristic love story Her.
The Dissolve
pressWeak... advancing a take on technology that’s more confused than ambiguous.
Hollywood Reporter
pressPfister shows a sure hand at staging scenes, creating visuals and setting a tone.
Flicks, Rebecca Barry Hill
flicksIf you’re planning to watch Transcendence simply to see Johnny Depp as nature intended (no wigs, crazy makeup or prosthetics) you might be disappointed. As Will Caster, a scientist who becomes a ghost in the machine, Depp’s performance, largely portrayed as the equivalent of a Skype call, is about as electrifying as your new iPad mini.
Variety
pressThe script and Pfister’s heavy, humorless direction tend to reduce everything to simplistic standoffs between good and evil.
Time Out
pressNot even in the enjoyable realm of starkly ridiculous Cold War thrillers like "Colossus: The Forbin" Project.
The New York Times
pressA dark, lurchingly entertaining pastiche of age-old worries, future-shock jolts, hot-button topics and old-fashioned genre thrills.
The Guardian
pressSuffers from terrible timing, arriving a few months after Spike Jonze charmed audiences with his semi-futuristic love story Her.
The Dissolve
pressWeak... advancing a take on technology that’s more confused than ambiguous.
Hollywood Reporter
pressPfister shows a sure hand at staging scenes, creating visuals and setting a tone.
What was everyone afraid of?
I love movies that explore the integration of human intelligence with technology. Transcendence goes the whole hog and proposes a complete uploading of human consciousness into the digital world. A little far-fetched, yes, but no less than the transporter technology of the USS Enterprise, which uploads not only the consciousness, but the entire body as...
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