No matter when or where you watch this film, go in with an open mind. If you’re looking to connect with characters on a personal, relatable level, Transcendence is probably not the movie for you. If looking for a fun, clever Sci-Fi action flick that is thought-provoking and entertaining, this is it.
From the time I saw the trailers, I was excited for this film. Granted, I was surprised when I saw that it wasn't being received well by critics. After reading quite a few opinions on the internet about the movie, my enthusiasm plummeted and I went in expecting a total disaster.
To my pleasant surprise I actually enjoyed the film, even though I did agree with some of the aspects that it was being criticized for, i.e., the lack of compelling characters. The film takes place in a world overrun by advanced technology. It follows the story of a couple’s dedication to change the world for the better, based on this technology. The plot was really the only strong point, and it seemed everything else was simply a weakly constructed backup plan for the main storyline. In other words, the main storyline had very little support.
I felt the performances given by a huge, talented cast were on par with how the characters were written and developed. Each character seemed absent in spirit, because their emotions in the film were supposed to show that in the future people are changed by technology. Usually we connect with characters in a film because we can relate to them, but in this film, technological advancements built the characters, making it impossible to completely understand and feel for them. I didn’t want to buy into the absence of strong characters because I didn’t think the plot was strong enough to cary the entire film by itself. I was wrong, for the most part.
I was entertained by the way the story unfolded to about the 1:30 mark, that’s when it descended into cliché scenes that were flat and unmoving. This is when the characters started showing feelings, but it simply failed to work due to the previous scenes that established them as cold and somewhat lifeless. I quickly lost interest in what was going on and wanted to see more of what I had just been watching for the last hour and a half.
The film had great potential that I would liked to have seen taken to the next level. With lack of strong characters the film felt weaker than many and could have been so much better if certain characters were easier to relate to. The plot was intriguing enough to be entertaining but not mind-blowing. The film looked incredible thanks to Christopher Nolan’s preferred cinematographer leading the production. Even though I liked the movie for entertainment, there really wasn't anything we haven’t seen before.
C+
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