Interesting Existential SciFi
- Archive review by GI
Archive is a science fiction film that owes a fair bit to Blade Runner (1982), has similarity in theme and vision to Ex Machina (2014) and has a neat visual homage to Metropolis (1927). It's an entertaining film and has a very unexpected twist that I didn't see coming. The story links two separate future technologies into a paranoid thriller plot that works quite well. Theo James plays George, a genius robotics and AI scientist, who is installed in a remote laboratory deep inside a Japanese forest. Loads of things keep going wrong with the building so he's often distracted by having to conduct repairs. His work is the development of android robotics and he is assisted by his first two prototypes while he builds a much more advanced third. But George is also grieving for his wife recently killed in a car accident and at the laboratory he has an 'Archive' box in which the consciousness of his wife is retained for a limited time. This is a technology run by a sinister corporation who routinely arrive to inspect the box. What they and his own boss don't realise is George is planning to break all the rules by transferring his wife's consciousness into the new android he's developing. Even the new android is against the idea! The support cast of Stacy Martin as the wife and Toby Jones as the Archive boss assist in lifting the film even further. This is an enjoyable look at issues of what is real, and 'I think therefore I am' philosophy wrapped up in a good, solid film that works on several levels. Well worth checking out.
5 out of 5 members found this review helpful.
Very Stylish. Modest, Clever, Tricksy, Enjoyable Sci-Fi Film Set in a virtual Robotic Future
- Archive review by PV
I enjoyed this film. And I adored the absolutely cracking soundtrack - both original score and songs used. That lifts it above most movies for a start.
I am not usually a fan of sci-fi, especially more tricksy, slow post-modern sci-fi movies. I hated MOON - and this film is written and directed by the main actor in that.
However, this film won me over - because it has intelligence and depth. It is not just a CGI-fest though the CGI is impressive, and the landscapes (filmed in Hungary or CGI) are superb and beautiful. The robots give a nod to both METROPOLIS and I though early 1970s film SILENT RUNNING which influenced Pixar's robot sci-fi film WALL-E. The question of what is human and can a robot have feelings predominate.
The unflagged used of flashbacks can confuse a bit though - so you have to pay attention as the timeframe flips back and forth.
Another reviewer says he did not see the plot twist coming - well, I did.. No spoilers but this sort of thing is not new and has been done a lot before in sci-fi films.
The focus is on identity and what it is to be human - an updated version of Frankenstein (the book) maybe? Toby Jones has a bit part but nails it as per usual.
4 stars
1 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
Intelligent and involving sci-fi
- Archive review by Alphaville
Despite the spoiler on the DVD sleeve, this is an intriguing sci-fi thriller that really works. Theo James lives in a remote research facility in the woods (beautifully filmed in a snowbound Hungarian landscape), where he builds increasingly human-like robots. He has three, with ages equivalent to 6, 16 and adult. The 16yo is one of the most fascinating AI creations since HAL. Teenagers!
Add to this a number of other interesting ideas, including the title notion of being able to “archive” a consciousness after death and there’s plenty here to keep the mind occupied as well as the eye and ear (a terrific electronic score by Steven Price).
If you’re expecting something as hidebound as Moon (on which Archive director Gavin Rothery was designer), prepare to be startled. This is wonderfully visual sci-fi that bears comparison with Silent Running. Only in the middle section do you begin to wonder if it’s beginning to run out of ideas, but then it winds up again to a brilliant ending that will stay with you.
Avoid tell-tale trailer if possible.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Painfully slow
- Archive review by RW
If they edited out the endless drone shots over endless woodland and all the artistic pregnant pauses then I could maybe be entertained by thirty minutes of jealous robots stamping their wheels. Nonsensical twist at the end just to top off the frustration.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
A film to end an acting career..
- Archive review by CS
There's not much to like about this film and to be honest if you do watch it, you'll soon be reminded of another film sharing pretty much the same storyline, 'Ex Machina'. Whilst quite ground breaking at the time that film had quite a dark undertone which left the viewer feeling somewhat depressed. The same can be said for Archive, the storyline is weak and a poor attempt to copy something we've already seen right down to the similarity in the location it's filmed. Quite frankly Theo James was the only thing worth watching in this film but why he would risk his career on something so low budget is beyond me. The rest of the film had me grinding my teeth in despair!! Complete rubbish in my opinion but hey, some people are more easily pleased.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.
This will become a true cult classic
- Archive review by Moppis
A truly amazing achievement by all concerned. Every chapter of it's transition kept me enthralled. It's amazing what a handful of accomplished actors can achieve. The creator of the voice of Robot 2 alone should receive some sort of award. A combination of subservient, friendliness and sexy all rolled into one. I send thanks to all those involved in this enterprise for a most enjoyable evenings viewing.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.
Much to enjoy but a weak central theme
- Archive review by PD
This very entertaining 'sci-fi' piece stars Theo James who is very impressive as George Almore, an obsessive robotics specialist living in a remote security facility whole he works on an AI project. There's many highly intriguing elements, including impatient bosses, eerie operatives, security issues and whatnnot, but especially George's relationship with his 'companions' J1 and J2, robot prototypes for the supposed goal - to develop an AI sophisticated enough to process senses and experience emotions. The sections involving George's interaction with J2, in particular, are wonderful - J2 clearly feels emotions such as loneliness, jealousy, need for affirmation etc (the drop of J2's metal head communicates a surprising amount of teenage-like interior pain which is very touching indeed) but George turns a blind eye to these, given that she's just a means to an end.
Unfortunately, however these fascinating threads are largely abandoned in favour of another, much weaker unifying theme. For needless to say, George's real goal is a different one, and it doesn't take us long to work out what it is - and therein lies the film's main problem, with all the interest generated by the other elements being sidelined in favour of it, and whilst the twist-plot ending certainly comes as a surprise for me it's all a bit of let-down given what came before. For me, the director has therefore successfully assembled a fantasy world with a strong convincing cast, but the ideas raised - what people owe their children, the limits of our control over others' lives, the sacrifices that come with love, are largely buried. That said, it's beautifully made and highly watchable, with some great moments.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.
Well worth a look
- Archive review by jb
This is excellent !!! one of the best sci-fi films i have seen for quite a while and very intriguing the concept of transferring human consciousness into A.I intelligence is a long
conceived thought " God knows " if this will ever become possible just imagine robots that will out live us !!! as in universal time we have a short time on Earth some live a very
short life indeed due to disease but a "machine" this has endless possibilities and the day of the "Terminator" may one day become a reality .Wonderful film.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.
A good film but lacking the wow factor
- Archive review by Dicci
A well made film similar in style to Moon and Ex Machina. Although a sci-fi film, there is plenty here for those not normally a fan of the genre. Asks a couple of interesting philosophical questions, consent after death and treatment of AI, but doesn't really go into them. Would have been a 4 star film if I hadn't realised the plot twist after about a third of the film which ruined the suspense.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.