A.I. Artificial IntelligenceRocky Peterson10.0· January 30, 2019Follow(UPDATE: I am leaving this up because it’s funny to see what my reaction was on first watch, but safe to say my prediction in the last sentence here was correct. Hence my subsequent five-star review) Watched this last night, thought it was overall good & strange but too schmaltzy in places, gave it three stars and went to bed. After having slept on it, I think I've realized what the movie was really going for, especially in the gooey bits I criticized. The main character is an A.I., obviously, programmed to love, but not actually feeling those emotions; he's only fulfilling what he was programmed to do. He's got the trappings and the suits, but nothing within except code. Thus, when he reunites with his mother at the end, all he's really doing is functioning. The "emotions" he shows, and thus appears to feel, are products of his code, and in reality he feels nothing. The film taking on a syrupy tone is the same way -- as David appears to feel things, so does the film. But the film showed its true face in its dark, twisted second act. It is a dark, dark version of Pinocchio, which is a very apt comparison: David only wants to be a "real boy" because it would help him achieve what he was coded to do. Thus, the film's "sentimental" ending becomes rather chilly, bleak, even bitterly ironic. I'd have to watch the film again to really solidify my interpretation and opinion, but I only feel comfortable enough with it for now to add a full star to the rating. Could go up even more upon a rewatch.CommentsSign in to react and join the conversation.Sign inGet the appSee all Rocky's reviews for A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2)First watch10.0January 30, 2019Rewatch 110.0May 21, 2022