I wasn't expecting to like TRANSCENDENCE very much, and that was based on the plot summary alone. Johnny Depp as a computer genius whose mind is uploaded into a computer? It sounds like an old-fashioned and predictable kind of story, one of those ones that require a huge suspension of disbelief and test the acting performances of those involved. Having just finished, I was pleasantly surprised by the movie, which is no masterpiece but is pretty interesting and good in places.
I'm not a fan of Depp and never have been, but you're not supposed to like his character here so that doesn't matter too much. The computer stuff is more interesting and the film incorporates some CGI effects work that was later borrowed for the villain in TERMINATOR GENISYS. Of course it all gets over the top and rather unbelievable, and that old cliché of fixing things with a computer virus is wheeled out once more (remember INDEPENDENCE DAY?).
Still, I liked the direction and cinematography makes for a bright and colourful movie, better than the usual grey and dreary offerings. The supporting cast is excellent and includes Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Paul Bettany, Kate Mara, Cole Hauser, and Xander Berkeley. They're all fine if underutilised a bit. The one who stands out like a sore thumb is Rebecca Hall; nothing wrong with her acting, but her character is one of the dumbest ever which makes her a truly despicable protagonist. I don't mind characters acting ruthlessly or with moral ambiguity in films but when they act really dumb then I can't help but feel that it's the scriptwriter at fault.
I'm not a fan of Depp and never have been, but you're not supposed to like his character here so that doesn't matter too much. The computer stuff is more interesting and the film incorporates some CGI effects work that was later borrowed for the villain in TERMINATOR GENISYS. Of course it all gets over the top and rather unbelievable, and that old cliché of fixing things with a computer virus is wheeled out once more (remember INDEPENDENCE DAY?).
Still, I liked the direction and cinematography makes for a bright and colourful movie, better than the usual grey and dreary offerings. The supporting cast is excellent and includes Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Paul Bettany, Kate Mara, Cole Hauser, and Xander Berkeley. They're all fine if underutilised a bit. The one who stands out like a sore thumb is Rebecca Hall; nothing wrong with her acting, but her character is one of the dumbest ever which makes her a truly despicable protagonist. I don't mind characters acting ruthlessly or with moral ambiguity in films but when they act really dumb then I can't help but feel that it's the scriptwriter at fault.