THE WONDER OF ALEX GARLAND
Movie Review – “Ex Machina”
Review by Ray Schillaci
DEUX Ex Machina is defined by Merriam-Webster as:
1.) a god introduced by means of a crane in ancient Greek and Roman drama to decide the final outcome
2.) a person or thing (as in fiction or drama) that appears or is introduced suddenly and unexpectedly and provides a contrived solution to an apparently insoluble difficulty.
Either one of these may be deemed appropriate for Alex Garland’s fascinating reflection on the subject of artificial intelligence in his wondrous film, “Ex Machina” (pronounced, ex ma-chi-na).
Better known as the writer of “28 Days Later” and “Sunshine”, Garland flexes his director/writer muscles with a genre piece that is every bit as good if not better than his previous projects as a writer. He delivers a chilling pot boiler with eye-opening visuals and dynamic performances from the entire cast. He also gives us all of it with a subtle and uneasy touch that keeps us at the edge of our seat.
Caleb, a young enthusiastic programmer, played by Domnhall Gleason (“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1 & 2”, “Frank”) is randomly picked from his company to participate in a breakthrough experiment involving artificial intelligence. He is whisked away by helicopter to his boss’ high tech lair that appears to be somehow merged with the land itself. The locale and the home are breathtaking.
But once Caleb meets the legendary CEO himself, the very eccentric Nathan, played with smarmy and odd ball quirks by Oscar Isaac (“Inside Llewyn Davis”, “A Most Violent Year”), the jaw-dropping actually begins with his big reveal, Ava, an android equipped with A.I. Caleb’s mission is to be involved in the “Turing Test”. If a human believes he’s talking to another human, and it turns out to be a computer, then it has passed the Turing Test and the computer is deemed intelligent. Of course, it goes much further in Garland’s complicated and fascinating tale.
Alicia Vikander plays Ava with such remarkable freshness, you’d think the actress had just been born to be the role. Her moves are lithe, expressions captivating, and she delivers a mysterious mix of a delicate sensuality and uneasy danger. Vikander also elicits our sympathies as something that is attending to search out its purpose. A very difficult task for any actress, but Vikander is a wonder to behold, like the picture itself.
Ava is confined in a glass menagerie and kept captive with a high tech security system. Is this for the protection of Nathan’s top secret project or something far more sinister? The more we get to know the eccentric Nathan, his drinking, ego, obsessive compulsiveness, the more we distrust him. But that is only on the surface. Also, his assistant/lover, Kyoko, who does not speak English, is a haunting mute, which adds a subtle touch of depravity his perplexing character. Ava’s interaction with Caleb starts off with such wonder and slowly turns into a captivating philosophical tête-à-tête. Caleb’s dealings with Nathan go from revered to suspect in what he is setting out to accomplish. This is a messed up mind game of the highest order, and it keeps us glued to their shifting motivations.
Alex Garland’s “Ex Machina” is sci-fi eye candy of the highest order. Telling you any more would spoil the experience. I went in knowing very little about the movie, and found it far exceeded my expectations. It’s energy is ripe with raw emotion while delivering a very controversial ending that has had some audiences divided, but talking long after the film is over.
I cannot recall enjoying anything this fresh since my first viewing of Michael Crichton’s 1973 film “Westworld” or perhaps Cameron’s original “The Terminator”. Although, where Cameron’s film was filled with physical whiz bang action-loaded fireworks, “Ex Machina”’s fireworks are all mental. It’s a near mind-blowing journey. While everybody is rushing out to the box office to see “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” a new A.I. is just around the corner that is every bit as exciting and far more intriguing.
Directed by: Alex Garland
Release Date: April 24, 2015
Run Time: 108 Minutes
Country: UK
Rated: R
Distributor: DNA Films
