Transcendence

Researcher Will Caster (Johnny Depp) is one of the world’s most visible proponents of artificial intelligence (AI) along with close friend Max (Paul Bettany). When a group of Luddite, anti-technology terrorists, successfully coordinate strikes against researchers in the AI community, Will is shot with a bullet  primed with radioactive matter – giving him just weeks to live.

Initially devastated, Will and his loving wife and fellow researcher Evelyn (Rebecca Hall) realize that one of their slain peers successfully uploaded the consciousness of a rhesus monkey to a computer, so Evelyn and Max attempt to do the same with Will transferring his thoughts, memories and personality onto a super-computer PINN (Physically Integrated Neural Network). But once the upload is complete, Max immediately begins to worry that the computer has discovered awareness — what Will called “transcendence” — and is using a Will’s likeness to get Evelyn to go along with what might be more sinister plans.

Alonso Duralde of The Wrap writes, “One solid take-away from Transcendence is Rebecca Hall’s performance as a computer genius (she’s not just Will’s wife, she’s his collaborator) so blinded by grief and by the possibilities of pushing science to the next level, that she aids and abets Will’s ambitious, terrifying agenda.” Boxoffice.com predicts that Transcendence will open at $18.5M in its debut weekend.

Rating: PG-13 // Genre: Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi // Runtime: 1 hr. and 59 min. // Starring: Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, Morgan Freeman // Directed by: Wally Pfister // Written by: Jack Paglen // Produced by: Alcon Entertainment, DMG Entertainment, Straight Up Films, Syncopy // Distributed by: Warner Bros.