Transcendence stars an abundance of extremely talented actors, is directed by magnificent cinematographer and first time director Wally Pfister and is written by first time writer Jack Paglen. This is a film that seemed to have enormous potential from the start and had everything going for it. This is why I'm sad to report that this is one of the most deadly dull, blandest films I have ever seen in my life. It's not surprising that Pfister has been a long time cinematographer for Christopher Nolan because this is obviously striving to be the next Inception. However, this more ends up feeling like the next Armageddon. This is a science fiction thriller with no thrills, no heart and an attempt to say something timely about the society we're living in that never actually makes a point.
In the film, Johnny Depp plays Will Caster, a brilliant scientist (although the audience is never given any reason to believe this) who is attacked by a terrorist group and injected with a bullet that gives him a short time to stay alive with no chance of recovery. Will finds that an experiment in which a monkey's brain was linked to a computer was pulled off successfully so with the help of wife Evelyn (Rebecca Hall) and buddy Max (Paul Bettany), Will decides to try this on himself. However, two agents or whatever they are, it's never really explained (Cillian Murphy and Morgan Freeman) are investigating as to whether or not this experiment will end up being beneficial and if Will can retain his humanity.
This is the type of film that thinks it's being clever simply by bringing up issues that are present today but never actually proposing how to resolve them. The problem with this is not that it can't be clever just to bring up issues currently affecting society. The problem is that screenwriter Paglen can't even get the issue right. Yes...over reliance on technology is an issue affecting society today but the issue is brought up in such an over the top and unrealistic manner that it makes clear that this film would have worked better were it not science fiction. No one is really good here. Depp is purposely wooden in his mostly speaking role and given 20 more of these Depp performances or two more performers like The Lone Ranger and Alice In Wonderland...I would take the 20. He doesn't really bring anything to the table, though. Hall, Murphy and Freeman are all clearly just going through the motions and trying to collect their paycheck. Bettany is the only thing close to worth watching here. He's the only actor in this thing who gives his character any real humanity or growth. Every other actor is just a blank slate.
Also, it doesn't help that a lot of the film depends on caring about Will and Evelyn's relationship when the audience is given no reason to care about either of them. However, by far the worst aspect of this film is how many directions it *tries* to go in. It gets to the point where nothing makes sense but there's no purpose to the confusion.
Pfister and Paglen were obviously attempting to make a film that will be thought about for decades to come. While they may have accomplished that, they accomplished this task in the wrong way. They have made a film that people will keep thinking about and in doing so, will find more and more flaws with and will realize just how boring this whole experience truly is.
(1/2 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence, some bloody images, brief strong language and sensuality)
No comments:
Post a Comment