Uncanny

The movie is drawn out, and while it is a low budget, the whole movie is paced like the prologue to a story that never shows anything new. To make an AI story boring and standard is sad because there is so much interesting potential but the movie never dives deep into any of the concepts and fails to ignite the audiences attention.

The actors in this movie are fine, with a few moments that are good or very good. I have no serious complaints about any of the characters or actors as such. However, the story somehow never lets them do anything interesting, every part of their story unfolds at a steady pace without bringing anything interesting to the mix.

The movie needed more intrigue and a faster pace, and the twist the movie tries to throw is extremely unremarkable. There are 100 more interesting things that could have been done that would have thrown the audience for a loop in a satisfying way.

This film is probably going to be compared to ex machina because of the similar theme. It is a completely different story so do not fear repetition if you have seen ex machina.

I will not reveal any of the story line - I have seen one of the reviews on here that does actually indicate part of the storyline. The story is quite slow so it is not really a popcorn flick. I do not remember ever feeling bored. The story unfolds at a fairly casual rate.

The acting is good. The characters are intriguing and quite varied. I though the lady was actually quite unpleasant and childish (even for her age group) but she was not necessarily unbelievable. I am sure certain people will empathize with her.

Just remember that it is a low budget movie with very few actors. Take it for what it is but bear in mind that it is probably better than many films that had a far higher budget.

The film's title is appropriate, since that is the feeling you are getting from the movie. Somehow, something is wrong with it, but you can't put your finger on it. The twist at the end was pretty predictable as well, but somehow they botched it up with the very last scenes. If they change the ending - not in its idea, but its handling - the movie gains an instant extra rating point.

However the biggest harm that anything can do to this film is that it was released soon after Ex Machina when they are approaching similar subjects. It is not the same thing, but close enough, and clearly not as good. I have to think, would I have liked the film in 2014, let's say? And the answer is probably yes. Change the ending scenes, make the pace a little more alert, maybe remove some of the slow scenes or some of the bad ones (because there are some that are just stupid) and you get an instant winner.

Bottom line: interesting concept, not bad yet mediocre implementation, badly written ending scenes. Uncannily close to a good movie.

P.S. Why do movies try to seem smart with chess analogies, and then really botch them completely? Even the weakest chess player in the world would instantly see that the people doing the scenes had no idea how the game is played.

'UNCANNY': Four Stars (Out of Five)

Indie sci-fi flick, about a reporter doing a story on the most advanced artificial intelligence unit the world has ever seen; and the scientist who created it. A bizarre relationship develops between all three. The film stars Mark Webber, Lucy Griffiths, David Clayton Rogers and Rainn Wilson. It was directed by Matthew Leutwyler (who also directed such indie sci-fi and horror flicks as 'DEAD & BREAKFAST' and 'UNEARTHED') and it was written by Shahin Chandrasoma. The movie is interesting, and well made, especially for such a (seemingly) low budget production.

David Kressen (Webber) was an MIT graduate, at the age of 19. He was hired by billionaire Simon Castle (Wilson), upon graduation, and never seen or heard from again. Joy Andrews (Griffiths) is a technology reporter, who was just given a week's worth of time to interview David, and his most advanced creation; an artificial intelligence named Adam (Rogers). Adam is so lifelike, that Joy mistakes him for a human- being, upon introduction. As the week goes by, Joy develops feelings for David; while Adam also appears to develop feelings for Joy. The A.I. becomes very unpredictable, and frightening, because of it.

When I first started watching this movie, I had severe doubts that I would like it; because it seems extremely low-budget, and amateurishly made (at first glance). I was happy to find out I was wrong (by the end of the film). There's not a lot of action, or flashy visuals, but it is a well written and decently acted movie. I was intrigued, and involved in what was going on, all the way to the very end. It kind of reminds me (a little) of 'EX MACHINA', from earlier this year; just on a much smaller (and lower budget) scale.

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Uncanny is one of those very rare movies that quickly and effectively engages the viewer.

This is a slow burn sci fi, there is not an abundance of special effects or action. What you get instead is a mostly well written, very clever story with a message about deception and surveillance. Technology may be amazing but, in the wrong hands, it is not necessarily our friend.

The acting is of a very high standard. Its hard to fault the cast in any way. That said, the story which is almost excellent lets the film down somewhat in the last five to ten minutes. Its conclusion is a little clumsy, whilst the rest of the film is carried with an airy, almost effortless, deftness. A more subtle conclusion, would still have carried the films message and I suspect, left a more indelible impression on the viewer.

So is Uncanny worth your time? Yes it is. It may be a little flawed but this is still a very good film with a very relevant message. Eight out of ten from me.