Automata (2014)

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

I noticed that many reviewers associated this film with "Blade Runner" and "I,Robot". Some similarity in the image of the future and of the robots really exists here. But in fact it's not important at all for this film. The concept and the story of this film are far original than the visual effects. The title "Automata" means mechanical dolls mainly made for fun, to entertain the privileged in Europe when democratic system was unimaginable. "Robot" is neologism made by the Czech writer Karel Capek in his play "R.U.R."'(1920), where artificial human-like machines are use all over the world as universal and cheap labor forces. In the play (and in all the films with "robots" borrowing its concept from Capek's play) "robots" are like slaves, tend to overthrow the human control,want to be free, so their violence against human makes a dramatic turning point in those films. By removing all "scientific" details, their plot will not so much different from that of Eisenstein's "Strike" (or Griffith's "The Birth of Nation" if seen from "masters' point of view"). In "Automata" the plot develops in other context; those "automata" don't look like slaves. They rather look like products of awkward and unsuccessful human attempt to make "human-like" machines, as automata before 20-th century. They are not revolutionaries, they have no reason for that, if humans don't interfere their "natural" evolution. They can live without destroying the decaying city where Jacq Vaucan and other characters must live unwillingly to avoid radiation. Violence is made by humans. Many audience maybe don't have sympathy for Jacq who shows compassion for Cleo, but probably have more sympathy for Cleo.Designs of "automata" are (most likely, intentionally) old-fashioned, awkward but somehow reminding hand-maid dolls. Human hands made them with soul, so they received it from human and began to live a real life. Have you ever seen any films with similar concept of "automata". I have. It's "Ghost in the Shell 2" by Oshii Mamoru. While Oshii's film was still partly following plot of a detective hunting "rebel" androids like "Blade Runner", this film is almost completely free from human-centered plot. The last shot of sea is, of course, not real. It's a metaphor of LIFE.

It's one of those movies that should have gotten more attention but due to the trailer and time of release it never made it through the shroud. It's hard to think that this movie only had a 7 million $ budget, The acting is on point the visual effects are in my opinion better than some of the super high budget movies that were released during the same time. What i love about this movie is how dark it is, i'm a fan of dystopian future movies and i have to say this is one of the better ones i've seen in a very long time, Sure it's not as good as the best such as 1984, Metropolis and v for vendetta but it deserves more attention and a solid place in the Dystopian/Dark futuristic movies. To note: I've encountered this many times people who only look at the User rating and if it's bellow lets say 7 it automatically is a "BAD" movie. DON'T be Like those people! Solid 8/10.

This movie was also awesome, it was like Blade Runner in the desert! The future robots do everything. Cops hate robots. Antonio Banderas is an insurance man for robots. Antonio looks for clues, finds ex wife in real life Melanie Griffith Melanie Griffith has face lift. Melanie Griffith gets shot by kids. Antonio is kidnapped by robots. cop comes for Antonio loves robot kills cop. Antonio is drag across desert, with radiation and almost dies. robots get to abounded building. bad guys take Antonio boss and wife with new baby into the desert. Antonio gets drunk with robot and dances. robot make new robot. Bad guys come and shoot out with Antonio. Antonio wins. Antonio lets last robot to the other side of canyon. Antonio and wife, with baby drive away in the desert.

if you are looking for a sci fi action, this is not it. this is more sci fi dramatic thriller and its fairly well done. there is some action though but not big budget action. look elsewhere if you are wanting for that. fairly engaging story and Antonio does a good acting job in this movie. a good watch if you are a fan of sci fi or a Banderas fan..one of his better efforts. if you are looking for big budget effects and cgi look elsewhere...it is more story driven. all the acting in this movie was fairly competent..i didn't giggle at any of the dialogue. even with a low budget the movie was able to bring out the feel of the post-apocalyptic very well. my only issue was that the robots were a clunky in movement..otherwise...it was a fairly engaging movie that didn't make me fall asleep.