spoilers, obviously. but if you have yet to see it since it's release back in 2001, put it at the top of your damn list. also this turned out longer than I thought, so apologies.
Firstly, a quick story. I was 11 when this film came out, and I still remember the hype and discussion surrounding it. The mysterious trailers that gave very little away only added to the intrigue. Plus there was the fact that this was intended to be Stanley Kubrick's next project before his untimely death. My first viewing is still a vivid one. It was my first time staying at my grandpa's (rip), three hours away from my hometown. I was prone to home sickness back then so it was a trip I was both looking forward to and scared of. I'd constantly worry about my mother's safety in particular, I'm definitely a mama's boy. It was the first night at my grandpa's place and he asked what I wanted to do, being that this trip coincided with the opening weekend of the film, I asked if he would take me to see it, so we went.
He fell asleep before the first scene was even over, and with no other person in the theater with me, it turned into some unexpected private viewing. Just me and this enormous screen about to show a film that I had no idea what to expect, other than that it was a story about a robot boy who wants to be real and it was a film by Steven Spielberg (save for The Shining and Dr. Strangelove, I had yet to really get into Kubrick or know much about him and his style up to that point, or how much involvement he really had in the production).
I was absolutely blown away and floored by the film. As a wide-eyed, 11 year old, whose imagination was at times overwhelming, AI completely immersed me into this futuristic world, took me on a wild ride of visual and aural wonder. For the entire run-time I was just totally enraptured by its spell. Of course, looking back, this was a horrible choice to pick on that trip because man did I sob when it ended. The thought of my mother abandoning me was a huge fear of mine during childhood (even though she would never even joke about doing something like that to my sister and I), and the sequence when Monica leaves David in the forest was like my ultimate nightmare playing out, nearly throwing me into a depressed panic. I just wanted to run back home and hug my mother, but on the other hand I felt a sort of high after having had experienced such a masterful film, and felt satisfied that it was able to elicit such strong emotions. As the credits rolled, I stared at the screen in silence, grandpa still asleep, as John Williams haunting score fueled the speakers (and kept me quiet). Needless to say, I wasn't able to sleep that night.
Since its release A.I. has polarized cinephiles. With some finding the combination of Kubrick's chilly, sometimes bleak, atmosphere and the optimistic warmth of Steven Spielberg at battle with one another, making the film a bit of a mess. An ambitious failure. While many fans, like me, see it as a misunderstood and overlooked masterpiece. As emotionally devastating and aesthetically breathtaking as any film Spielberg has done. As far as his work as a director (and writer) this is next level, his craft is in absolute control here and he constantly rewards the audience with one gorgeously crafted set-piece after another. The Rouge City segment in particular is a feast for the senses, and definitely proves that Kubrick's spirit is very much alive in the film.
It's biggest criticism is with the ending, however. Many wrongly believed this was tacked on by Spielberg even though it follows what Kubrick originally intended (whether he would have ended up changing it is anyone guess). However, I don't see the problem here. Had the film ended with David trapped in the copter pleading to the blue fairy, the film would definitely had taken a risk, but I don't feel it would be as satisfying as the one we get. Also, people seem to miss the point of how bleak the ending actually is. Yes we get the sequence with him reuniting with Monica and their perfect day together, but the implications are pretty downbeat and not really all that uplifting. Had Spielberg changed the ending to David truly becoming a real boy and able to live with Monica happily ever after-- that would have been an awful move. But here we have a robot with the mind and innocence of a child, programmed to love who ever imprints upon him fiercely and endlessly. What is he left with after his one perfect day? Does he still remember monica? Is his memory of her erased? Does he finally find some semblance of humanity and the human spirit that transcends his robotic origins and in a sense dies along with her? Is he unceremoniously deactivated? Is the damn robot happy? Please?!
To me, like the rest of the film, the ending is perfection, but deeply tragic and even a little depressing. It ends David's arc on a satisfying note that is neither sugary sweet or a cliche fairy tale conclusion. It's also so deeply touching that I have to choke back tears with every rewatch .
So what's the verdict here? For me, A.I. deserves to be standing alongside the very best of Spielberg classics. It's a daring and original vision, it's not afraid to go to some very dark places, and at times feels like a cruel joke. This could also be credited to Haley Joel Osment in his best performance, he's a real heart breaker, but never hits a false note. By the end you just want him to be happy.
If you stuck with this entire post I applaud you. But rewatching this recently just reinvigorated my endless love and fascination with it. Thankfully some critics who initially hated it have started to come forward and express a change of opinion, Mark Kurmode even apologized to Steven for his harsh review upon first release. Hopefully it will get the classic status it so deserves sooner rather than later.
Firstly, a quick story. I was 11 when this film came out, and I still remember the hype and discussion surrounding it. The mysterious trailers that gave very little away only added to the intrigue. Plus there was the fact that this was intended to be Stanley Kubrick's next project before his untimely death. My first viewing is still a vivid one. It was my first time staying at my grandpa's (rip), three hours away from my hometown. I was prone to home sickness back then so it was a trip I was both looking forward to and scared of. I'd constantly worry about my mother's safety in particular, I'm definitely a mama's boy. It was the first night at my grandpa's place and he asked what I wanted to do, being that this trip coincided with the opening weekend of the film, I asked if he would take me to see it, so we went.
He fell asleep before the first scene was even over, and with no other person in the theater with me, it turned into some unexpected private viewing. Just me and this enormous screen about to show a film that I had no idea what to expect, other than that it was a story about a robot boy who wants to be real and it was a film by Steven Spielberg (save for The Shining and Dr. Strangelove, I had yet to really get into Kubrick or know much about him and his style up to that point, or how much involvement he really had in the production).
I was absolutely blown away and floored by the film. As a wide-eyed, 11 year old, whose imagination was at times overwhelming, AI completely immersed me into this futuristic world, took me on a wild ride of visual and aural wonder. For the entire run-time I was just totally enraptured by its spell. Of course, looking back, this was a horrible choice to pick on that trip because man did I sob when it ended. The thought of my mother abandoning me was a huge fear of mine during childhood (even though she would never even joke about doing something like that to my sister and I), and the sequence when Monica leaves David in the forest was like my ultimate nightmare playing out, nearly throwing me into a depressed panic. I just wanted to run back home and hug my mother, but on the other hand I felt a sort of high after having had experienced such a masterful film, and felt satisfied that it was able to elicit such strong emotions. As the credits rolled, I stared at the screen in silence, grandpa still asleep, as John Williams haunting score fueled the speakers (and kept me quiet). Needless to say, I wasn't able to sleep that night.
Since its release A.I. has polarized cinephiles. With some finding the combination of Kubrick's chilly, sometimes bleak, atmosphere and the optimistic warmth of Steven Spielberg at battle with one another, making the film a bit of a mess. An ambitious failure. While many fans, like me, see it as a misunderstood and overlooked masterpiece. As emotionally devastating and aesthetically breathtaking as any film Spielberg has done. As far as his work as a director (and writer) this is next level, his craft is in absolute control here and he constantly rewards the audience with one gorgeously crafted set-piece after another. The Rouge City segment in particular is a feast for the senses, and definitely proves that Kubrick's spirit is very much alive in the film.
It's biggest criticism is with the ending, however. Many wrongly believed this was tacked on by Spielberg even though it follows what Kubrick originally intended (whether he would have ended up changing it is anyone guess). However, I don't see the problem here. Had the film ended with David trapped in the copter pleading to the blue fairy, the film would definitely had taken a risk, but I don't feel it would be as satisfying as the one we get. Also, people seem to miss the point of how bleak the ending actually is. Yes we get the sequence with him reuniting with Monica and their perfect day together, but the implications are pretty downbeat and not really all that uplifting. Had Spielberg changed the ending to David truly becoming a real boy and able to live with Monica happily ever after-- that would have been an awful move. But here we have a robot with the mind and innocence of a child, programmed to love who ever imprints upon him fiercely and endlessly. What is he left with after his one perfect day? Does he still remember monica? Is his memory of her erased? Does he finally find some semblance of humanity and the human spirit that transcends his robotic origins and in a sense dies along with her? Is he unceremoniously deactivated? Is the damn robot happy? Please?!
To me, like the rest of the film, the ending is perfection, but deeply tragic and even a little depressing. It ends David's arc on a satisfying note that is neither sugary sweet or a cliche fairy tale conclusion. It's also so deeply touching that I have to choke back tears with every rewatch .
So what's the verdict here? For me, A.I. deserves to be standing alongside the very best of Spielberg classics. It's a daring and original vision, it's not afraid to go to some very dark places, and at times feels like a cruel joke. This could also be credited to Haley Joel Osment in his best performance, he's a real heart breaker, but never hits a false note. By the end you just want him to be happy.
If you stuck with this entire post I applaud you. But rewatching this recently just reinvigorated my endless love and fascination with it. Thankfully some critics who initially hated it have started to come forward and express a change of opinion, Mark Kurmode even apologized to Steven for his harsh review upon first release. Hopefully it will get the classic status it so deserves sooner rather than later.
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Recent Views (out of 4)
Eighth Grade- (3.5/4)
Sicario 2- (3/4)
Assassination Nation- (3/4)
Mandy- (3.5/4)
Recent Views (out of 4)
Eighth Grade- (3.5/4)
Sicario 2- (3/4)
Assassination Nation- (3/4)
Mandy- (3.5/4)