Johnny Depp's new sci-fi thriller "Transcendence" leaves audiences and critics confused despite an allstar acting cast.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film is about Dr. Will Caster, a researcher in the field of Artificial Intelligence, who is attempting to gather information about human emotions. However, the researcher's findings lead him to becoming a target for anti-technology extremists who want keep him from succeeding. Check out the trailer and what reviewers had to say below.
San Jose Mercury News gives "Transcendence" 2 out of 4 stars:
"That 'Transcendence' spends more time talking about computers than creating live human characters is even more problematic, because the romance between Will and Evelyn is so key to what happens. Pfister and Paglen give us satisfying hints of their love at the start, but more is needed. On the upside, Pfister has crafted a subtle and convincing not-so-distant future, and once again, this Oscar-winning cinematographer of 'Inception' hits the highest of visual notes."
The Chicago Tribune gives the film 2 out of 4 stars:
"In story terms 'Transcendence' struggles to make the human square-offs and factions interesting. In visual terms, director Pfister, a longtime cinematographer of tremendous skill, has a few things to learn. Compared to many other effects-dependent pictures lately, this one's on the easygoing (if not plodding) side. Now and then there's a quick, sharp image that works, such as the initial computer-screen indication - 'Is anybody there?' Caster types from the other side - the audience sees but the Hall and Bettany characters do not. Too often the actors mill around waiting for some momentum to build, or for some visual dynamism to emerge in the staging of the copious and awkward dialogue."
Rotten Tomatoes audience users certified the film rotten with a 57 percent rating:
"Looked great and the acting was fine but man was it lacking in everything else. Cliché after cliché pseudo science and techno babble should at least be somewhat accurate and it just wasn't here at all. Also, if another movie uses the phrase 'if this goes sideways' on us I might blow a gasket," one audience viewer wrote.
