Archive

Not quite in the league of sci-fi brilliance as Ex-Machina or Blade Runner 2049, Archive has an interesting (yet familiar) premise that features humans and artificial intelligence. George, an A.I. scientist, is trying to upload his dead wife's conscience into one of his brilliant android creations. In the process, he has created two prototypes - a bulky one with the intelligence of a toddler, and another smaller, leaner version with the brains of a teenager. Both the prototypes (treated as sisters) develop a connection with their creator. George, however, wants to build a 3rd and final prototype which has the potential to perfectly carry his wife's sensibilities and demeanor.

The story gets a little dramatic in the middle portions, with one of the prototypes feeling jealous of her creator's newfound enticement with his latest, brainiest android. There's also the evil corporate angle which only drives the film faster towards its finale, but what catches you off-guard is that incredible last-minute twist. It leaves the door open for repeat viewings and multiple interpretations. Since Archive takes the predictable route to get to this cracker of a twist, it doesn't get a rating more than what's currently assigned.

Theo James is ideally cast as George; to think this is a film that's primarily about a human living in an isolated lab with 3 robots, James pulls off the stoicism quite well. His relaxed self in those flashback sequences with his wife proved to be an informal breather in an otherwise sober film. The production design and special effects certainly deserve applause.

If I would compare it to an other movie, it would be a spoiler. Then again, once you've seen it, maybe I gave you a hint with what I just wrote. Or maybe I didn't (but I probably did, didn't I?). That aside, because I don't want to spoil anything, if you are into Science Fiction movies, you may like this. It has very good visuals and while I wouldn't call myself a Theo James fan (more a Stacy Martin fan), he does a really good job.

There is tension there are questions ... and there are themes that some might have resolved otherwise. But it does make sense overall. And while you could question everything in the end, you could also just take it with a grain of salt. And just accept that some things, possible in reality or not, just make sense in the overall world of the movie. So it is coherent and well thought of, but even that does not mean you will like it

I was just going to let this pass by, untill reading an interview with the director. Which drove me to this.

First the good. Slow burning but not too slow, good cinematography, decent acting. The robots J1 and J2 are excellent. Character development in the first 2/3rd's is good. The last 3rd let's it down, the shock ending is anything but a shock and simply burns the first parts down. I think the Toby Jones scene finished it for me in retrospect. Nothing to do with his performance which is great work as always, but it demonstrates the lack of closure the film winds up at by pulling the same tired twist as other, better works.

Hint. When being interviewed about your tripe filled film that ends with a tried and tested one, don't tell us you burned all the usual tropes in your search for originality.

A pity, as the emotional nuances provided by the bots ARE really good, it deserved a more eloquent ending to match the set up, which is done well. A solid 7.5.

I expect a lot of people will compare this to Ex Machina, and for good reasons. Excellent story, interesting character development, great acting and directing, this is definitely the kind of smart, evenly paced sci-fi I love (if you're expecting explosions, lasers and flying car chases, you're gonna have a bad time...). While it may be using familiar tropes and the occasional cliche, this truly is a 7/10 throughout that earns its 8th star in the last 15 min. Highly recommended, especially for sci-fi fans!

I caught this at a Drive-In double feature with "Palm Springs." I think that pairing made this pale in comparison.

I will say that I was VERY impressed with the production design and the special effects; nothing looked cheesy or unrealistic (I haven't found any budget information anywhere yet). And that's about it. Theo James has the looks of a young De Niro or James Franco from time to time, but he (or his character) is quite charmless.

It's strange that this reminded me of "Moon" so much, when you consider that the director of this film worked on "Moon" back in 2009. But that film is buoyed by an engrossing Sam Rockwell performance. And "Ex Machina" has the balance of Domnhall Gleeson and Oscar Issac's performances. Theo James can't really anchor this whole movie. The other actors are fine, but seem ornamental.

This is above-average for its design, but middle-of-the-road for just about everything else.