Sci Fi Top 100, #23: "A.I. Artificial Intelligence" (2001)

Movie Stats:
Released 2001 (USA)
American, in English
Director - Steven Spielberg
Stars - Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O’Connor, William Hurt

Plot Summary:
In the future, realistic robot boy David (Osment) goes on a quest to become real in order to win the love of the woman he considers his mother. O’Connor co-stars as Monica, David’s “mother”; Law as robot prostitute Gigolo Joe; and Hurt as Professor Hobby, the man whose idea gave birth to David.

Warnings:
Violence; minor gore; implied sexy times.

Bad Stuff:
As with most Spielberg stuff, I feel that the intent is to tug at my heartstrings. Like he’s angling for an Oscar by seeing how many tears he can make you shed.

The turn the film takes in the last 45 minutes is pretty strange. It doesn’t fit with the rest of the movie at all.

The murder side story, so little explored, is completely unnecessary and frankly a bit confusing. What is the point of it? Surely there was another way to make Joe and David’s paths cross.

Good Stuff:
Jude Law is, as always, amazing.

The visuals are stunning. Plus, a lot of the special effects have held up really well.

I enjoyed the soundtrack.

The Verdict:
Man, this movie is depressing. I wasn’t expecting that. I’m trying to imagine how Spielberg’s internal monologue went on this one. “How can we make this story about a little boy robot who’s been rejected by his mother sadder?” Mission accomplished, although I don’t think I much cared for the result. It’s just relentlessly maudlin. On the other hand, it has a lot of interesting ideas, at least one stellar performance (although the other actors apart from Law aren’t exactly slouches), and it looks good. Plus, it was nice to see something different, a story about love. Not the worst movie I’ve ever seen, but not something I plan on ever watching again.

I give it 3 stars.