British science fiction film, set in the year 2038, a future where important advances in artificial intelligence have been achieved. Its story is not very original and the ending can be somewhat predictable, but I liked it enough to review and recommend it.
George Almore is an expert in robots and artificial intelligence. In the middle of a snowy forest, he works for a company that hired him to manufacture an advanced android. He has the first two prototype androids as assistants. The first is a very rudimentary robot, with no voice and no arms, which looks like a box. The other, already has a more humanoid look, with the mentality of a 16-year-old boy. The company is pushing him to cukmine the work and deliver the ultimate robot, but George is working on his personal project in a hidden way. The final prototype is almost ready, the android that will bring his wife back.
The rhythm is a little slow, but it always advances and does not become tedious. What I did need was a little more tension in the scenes, but the ones you have, are good enough to keep our attention.
The film has a modest budget, but the art and scenery made a convincing location, conveying a futuristic atmosphere, but not so fantastic, reminding us that the future is coming.
The story made me think about the future of humanity when robotic technology reaches that point in the film.
Science fiction films have often shown artifacts, elements and technological advances that become reality after several years.
It is possible that advances in artificial intelligence will reach levels like those in the movie. I wonder: Will androids achieve autonomy with artificial intelligence? Is it possible that they will come to feel the likes of human beings? Envy, jealousy, anger? If all that were possible, what would our behavior be with the androids? Would we seek to create copies of the loved ones who have died?
It's a fascinating subject, although almost certainly none of us will see that future, but some of our descendants may have the chance. Of course! If we manage to survive as a human species and don't end up destroying ourselves.
Director Gavin Rothery has worked on previous science fiction films, as the artistic director of "The Last Man" and "Moon" no wonder the film is so outstanding in that respect! "Moon" had an extraordinary artistic design, which makes us believe that we were inside that space station. In "Archive" the whole location of that science base, where the protagonist builds the robots, is very realistic. Another curious fact is that Gavin also worked in several occupations, in the British comedy with zombies "Shaund of the Dead"
The weight of the story falls on the two main characters. Actor Theo James plays George Almore, the robotics expert, who hides his true intentions from the corporation he works for. He wants to get back the person he loves, and he has a plan to do so. The actor is known for some successful British television series and for participating in the films of the Divergent trilogy.
French actress Stacey Martin plays Jules Almore, George's wife. She is also the voice of the android models J2 and J3. She is the reason why George hides his intentions from the company. He misses her and feels guilty, he needs to have her back by his side. If you have a good memory, you will remember the actress' face, she was one of the stars of Lars von Trier's film, Nymphomaniac. She has also been seen in VoxLux, High Rise and other films.
Famous British actor Toby Jones and Rhona Mitra also act in the film. Their characters are secondary and appear at certain points in the story. Jones, in his short appearance is great. The physical characteristics of this actor always make him seem unsettling. Both actors have a track record and have participated in excellent productions.
I can't tell more details of the story without making a spoiler, you can see the trailer, which I leave at the end of the post, so you can get a better idea of the film and fall in love with the minimalist sets, a style widely used in science fiction films and series in recent years.
I've seen several low-budget films, but with enough positive aspects to make them worth watching. I recently recommended another science fiction film about time travel. I now recommend this beautiful film with androids and surprise narrative twists.
My Ranking: 3.1/5
Trailer
