A.I. Rising

A Serbian Film (no not THAT one) about a man on an isolated spaceship, his only companion a female Android. Right off the bat, I have to admit there are specifically two points this SF feature got right: lighting and sound design. These two things genuinely enhanced the atmosphere of the movie and made you engaged in the universe it created. So many big budget SF movies Hollywood pukes out these days just fail to realize the importance of these two attributes in the genre. The premise, coming from a Socialist country, seems a bit .. of a stretch. Apparently , Capitalism is a plague in the future that has even infected whole galaxies and it is up to the ever righteous Ederlezi Corporation to send social engineers to these space colonies to restore normalcy the socialist way. That being said, I really wouldn't have had a problem of they actually fleshed out this premise even more. Instead, the film chooses to mainly concentrate on the chemistry between the cosmonaut and his robot sex partner. Which I guess wasn't bad on its own.

The robot is played by an actual pornographic actress, the beautiful and enchanting Stoya, so there is absolutely no body double or vfx used during the sex scenes. Also, she is naked most of the time even when the script didn't call for a sex scene. However, I admire that her particular athletic,not voluptuous, figure and the incredible lighting actually transcends any sleaziness and gives her a more sublime aura. It helps amplify the other worldliness instead of just being gratuitous nudity.

All in all, considering the low budget, I am very impressed. We genuinely need more atmospheric sci fi instead of another season of Star Trek Discovery.

I was thinking this was going to be a pretty good sci fi....It started out well but became tedious to watch very quickly. This could have been a really good movie about a pilot and the A.I. but because a soft pornographic movie. It evolved around sex between the two, maybe that was the point but it was just repetitive to me to watch. I stayed until the end but came away with nothing. I know it was a low budget movie, and that is ok with me. Only 4 different actors including the voice of the computer..and that was ok also. I like those kind of movies and they can be done really well but, this was just not one of them. The story and the performances just were not good enough. I gave it a 5 for some of the visuals which I did like even though there were only 4 or 5 sets in the whole movie. Sorry I just didn't like this one.

This movie might easily be viewed as Ex Machina set in space, and it is similar in enough aspects that it is inevitable that many viewers interpret A.I. Rising as a simple re-telling.

Actually there is much more in the concept for this movie (which is really about the risk of a stilted and limited relationship between a man and woman), but the wooden performance of the male lead (at least while working in English) and the lack of exposition about the company or the mission goals means the viewer has no reason to vest interest in any aspect.

The evolution of the female android is intended to tell us more about how a woman may act in such a situation, but the camera merely observes the action and does not show the people or the moments, so we don't see or feel each moment - only deduce its intent.

The result is a bland clinical relationship movie, set in space, but with no drama or insight.

If the leads and cinematographer of Solaris (2002) were to make this movie, there would be less sex, but much much more sizzle.

Before watching this movie you need to know what to expect, otherwise you will be disappointed. If you are in the mood for soft-erotic sci-fi, low-budget, abstract films, then you can tolerate this.

Overall, I liked the movie and could be entertained, however, it has a very slow pace. The sound editing and the visuals are correctly done for a low budget. The plot and overall narrative of the film leave a lot of holes and questions unanswered but probably deliberately, not to create suspense but because it probably lacked priority for the writers. Also, the movie does not explore the subject of A.I. nor does it seems to want to discuss it deeply, however it does introduces the idea of "authenticity of the A.I personally" developed upon on the interaction with humans. Is A.I. capable of developing an authentic personality when let loose? Will mankind accept this personality as authentic, human?

Sebastian Cavazza´s acting does leaves you wanting a bit more for it falls flat, probably also do to lack of script. Stoya´s, however, is satisfactory, considering her stepping out of pure erotic film-making. I am just a personal fan and had to enjoy her completely.

A movie than can be watched if time and patience are available.

Following on the success of Ex Machina (2014) and Her (2013), this is an Eastern European version. Done on a very modest budget, the movie had surprising good production values.

The cinematography was artistic, sets were futuristic, and lighting was set for effect.

The movie's bleak tone is similar to Kubrick's 2001. An astronaut grappling with loneliness, with only artificial intelligences for companions.

This plot takes the premise a step further. What about his sexual needs? What kind of social dynamics govern a relationship with an android? Out in space, they are alone.

What would the viewer do if placed in the situation of the protagonist?

The surprise was the casting of pornstar Stoya who turned in a good performance as lover, submissive and sex toy. No blonde bimbo. She has a pretty face and lean body, like the girl next door. Definitely sexy.

IMO, worth a second screening.