The God Question

Recently, I saw the video, The Grand Budapest Hotel. I feel like I should have enjoyed it more than I did given the great reviews, brand-name cast, and significant production budget. I only mention this because pretty much the opposite holds true for The God Question; given the unknown cast, and micro production budget, I shouldn't have enjoyed it as much as I did -- especially after reading some of the negative reviews here. This movie approaches the concept of computer AI from angles I haven't seen elsewhere. It struck me as pretty original. The central plot serves as a device into which many other pertinent questions are woven. The storyline feels uncomplicated to a fault, but it wasn't until I started talking about the movie with my husband that I realized how many issues it actually tackled. Surely, more bells and whistles could have been added with a larger budget, but at least this film did not leave me scratching my head over giant holes in the plot, or frustrated by inaccurate portrayals of the science behind the story. This is an honest film.

I am a big fan of movies dealing with the ramifications of Artificial Intelligence. This movie is much more interesting and well-considered than you might think after the first 10 minutes, which almost made me switch to something else. But if you keep with it, you will be rewarded with a very original perspective on the AI issue. Another review suggested that religious people will like this movie. Without creating a spoiler, I will say I believe this fellow reviewer did not actually watch the film. I think this movie does a very good job of considering what options a super-intelligent AI actually has. How does it decide what say, what to do, and just as importantly, what NOT to say and do?

I haven't seen a movie that deals with massive computer technology like this since Colossus: The Forbin Project. This is what SyFy is supposed to be except this is all to close to our immediate future as in now. People do not understand that we have moved from deterministic algorithm based computers to non deterministic neural networks. The implications are huge and that is what this movie is about. How we deal with this as a civilization is a key challenge. The hidden theme is what does it mean to have an artificial neural network. Is it sentient, does it believe in God, is it alive? What does it mean when you turn off the power and all the connections it created as it learned are lost?

I initially thought this was an actual documentary where researchers had posed this question of an AI supercomputer. When I realized it was a fictional dramatization, I almost stopped watching then. After completing the whole movie, I wished I could have my 90 minutes back.

....You are smarter than IVAN the computer - and less temperamental too. I found this movie in the Faith & Inspirational section of Vudu. I guess the 'Ace Team' of Vudu concierge's figured if it had the word 'God' in the title, it belonged in that category. Actually it's more of a Sci-Fi movie. It's a plodding sort of suspense film made on a low budget. However, with all it has stacked against it, it's STILL quite good and particularly thought provoking regarding computer technology and a ponderous question posed to it - that most of us humans often wonder about. What is the question, and what is the answer? Patiently watch the movie to find out. I won't tell.

Also, to their credit, the main characters in the story did an admirable job even though their working material needed the love and attention of an experienced script writer.

If only this thought provoking show had a bigger budget and better script...

This is not that type of movie, like Forest Gump, that everyone pretty much enjoyed on some level. Not at all. But for those of us who have genuine concerns about where Man and Machine are going? It's good.

I could see this movie being shown in a lower level computer or philosophy class as an impetus for some deep discussions. 7 out of 10 stars, for its realistic depictions of bureaucratic computer labs and thought provoking scenarios.