The Machine (2013) / Sci Fi-Thriller

MPAA Rated: R for violence and some language
Running Time: 91 min.

Cast: Toby Stephens, Caity Lotz, Denis Lawson, Pooneh Hajimohammadi, Sam Hazeldine
Director: Caradog W. James
Screenplay: Caradog W. James
Review published April 8, 2014

Caradog James (Little White Lies) writes and directs this futuristic, 'Frankenstein'-esque sci-fi action film set during a not-too-distant time where there's a Cold War existing between the western world and China, mostly surrounding advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence technology. Robots have become the new "arms race" in a new world order.

Toby Stevens (Severance, Die Another Day) stars as British neuro-robotics expert Vincent McCarthy, who has been very busy working with top secret projects funded by the UK military to use his skills to rehabilitate injured and brain-damaged soldiers and convert them into effective agents against its war against China. In doing so, Vincent has also advanced cyborg AI and robotics to the point where wholly artificial intelligence can be employed in the field of battle. His ultimate goal is to create a cyborg that can think for itself, hoping that his discovery can help assist his autistic and terminally ill daughter resume a normal life again. His latest breakthrough is taking on Ava (Lotz, Battle of the Year), an American scientist who has developed an AI presence that thinks above and beyond the logical and factual. However, despite the scientist's desire to use his discoveries for the betterment of mankind (and his daughter), Vincent's boss, Thomson (Lawson, Return of the Jedi), only cares about utilizing these robots as deadly weapons, especially if they can unleash superhuman attacks without the problems associated with a conscience.

Though The Machine is a relatively low-budget film that features an attractive and agile protagonist who kicks much butt, it's not an exploitative movie. For the most part, it's a serious sci-fi endeavor. Though resources are meager, much of the modern day sets and vehicles are kept "futuristic" by using dim, back-lit techniques and minimal set design in order to obscure determining a year for the setting. There is a bit of eye candy, despite its limitations, particularly when dealing with computer displays or the actual robots themselves. It's not a pretty picture from a cinematography standpoint, but given what they have to work with, there's a tradeoff necessary so as to not shatter the atmosphere.

The synthy score from Tom Raybould and the Turing testing of androids with a series of questions echo Blade Runner, including the glowing eyes of the cyborgs. It's in keeping with the themes of the movie, in which we see the initial stages of the first full-functional android come into existence. The plot also echoes a good deal of RoboCop, and may give some viewers a feeling of deja vu for those seeing the much higher-budget remake of 2014. Fans of Metropolis and The Terminator may also recognize quite a few parallels to those influential works.

The cast is fine, but it is Lotz who stands out, though relating where the story eventually leads may constitute a major spoiler for some potential viewers. What I can say is that her mix of good looks, lithe movement, well-performed choreography, and childlike innocence makes us truly invested in hoping for a positive resolution for her character.

While the production values are a bit spotty for the high-concept science fiction scope for a general audience, as a smaller movie, there's enough here to like for genre fans. Hopefully James will be able to parlay this impressive effort into bigger and better things once a studio scopes out his talent and decides this guy could use a higher budget to bring his further android dreams to life.

Qwipster's rating:

©2014 Vince Leo