Adaptation of the film 'A.I" by Director Steven Speilberg (2001) from the short story 'Super Toys All Summer Long' by Writer Brian Aldiss (1969)
Al-Bawazir's Film Choice Rating :
+
Al-Bawazir's Film Choice Rating :
+Al-Bawazir's Reading Choice Rating : 
Click on the logo above to open and download the screenplay of 'A.I'
Click on the logo above to open and download the screenplay of 'A.I'
Click on the logo above to open and download from an external Link for 'Super-Toys Lasts All Summer Long'
Copyright Material © 1994-2003 Wired Digital, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright Material © 1994-2003 Wired Digital, Inc. All rights reserved.
Major Theme Analysis:
Artificial Intelligence, Androids and Man vs. Machines
If you allow imaginative minds to wonder free....far into the future where androids roam free side by side with humans would you have said that it would be a better place? After all, the time is already now! With the evolution of computers, we find ourselves at luxurious convenience. Need to send something? Just send an e-mail. But what if technology themselves began to control our lives....our livelihood. For example, I am a student who I use the computer almost 24/7 and I love the use of technology in almost everything that I do. Naturally, my PC was also more prone to malicious ware, spyware, trojans and rootkits just to name a few when compared to other average users. Imagine one day...your computer gave problems. Probably on the day of submission of an assignment and there were no way to retrieve your file other than to redo it all over again (it happens) . Lucky if you have your teacher of Professor with a heart who could understand what you are going through. But they got their own problems too and probably have tons of other works other than to listen to your whine. Here is the overall scenario of the problem....Over dependency on machines!
I think that was what the movie 'Artificial Intelligence' was trying to address to the audience. When Hobby was asked Sheila (the android) what did she felt when a needle was poked into her arms. "Nothing", she replied. When questioned again about what Hobby did to her feeling, Sheila replied "You did it to my hands". This few lines gave us a powerful opening to the movie. It made it clear to us the weakness in every machine. But that supposedly was to be first generation of androids.
Things got pretty interesting later with the introduction of much more human-like androids. Androids that were given neuron technology, mapping impulse pathways and even the ability to dream. Cloning was introduced. Imagine a time where an android can be created out of human's own image. A mecha child (mechanical) was introduced to us in the movie, capable of imitating human characters via advanced programming. That was the decision that Henry and Monica took in the movie. The decision to clone their own child, Martin into an almost exact replica of (*height difference noted) an android (David) capable of feeling...love anger and depression when their sick child was in the hospital.
I watched the movie mix feelings actually. Hundreds of question came to my mind. Even a simple phrase uttered game me hundreds more. How do we balance responsibility and morality if a robot was given feelings? Should we love them when they showed us love? Could it be real...although it felt and looked real to us humans. Was it genuine or mere programmes. If they scream, would it be really them who was screaming? Would human tolerate a robot, which one day could actually be smarter, more efficient than us? Will they have a complete sense of understanding about human nature? Monica was taking a dump when David disturbed her. Could a robot precisely understand the nature of human beings...hunger, breathe, metabolism even if they are capable of feelings?
When in danger the human mind will try to sort out what would be the best action to be taken. In one scene when Martin was at the pool, his friends wanted to jokingly poke David's hand with a sharp object. David did not respond immediately but later turned to Martin and hid behind him for sanctuary. Did Martin have the respond or the reflex was instilled even in new born human beings? When David accidentally fall into the pool did he let go of Martin who was drowning? (Well, David was heavy..all those fibers and steel). No, David did not. Later, when only Martin was saved from the pool and Martin was left down at the bottom, the director shot the scene from under the water. I really felt what the robot must have been feeling at the time. I sympathize. But should I really?
Next came Teddy (the super toy). In a brilliant scene, Martin and David were both giving instructions to Teddy. Somewhat ironic, because even the super toy cannot decide whose instruction to be obeyed. The super toy was confused and honestly, so was I. Imagine my other arguments. If robots have human-like feelings, naturally they also will have flaws of being a human. Jealousy, as exhibited by David when chowing down food at the dining table (initially he was chowing down imaginary food). How about anger? Will robots have the right to be angry? If we saw injustice done to androids, should we fight for them. Worst, should we fight among humans just because an android have feelings. And if we fight, whose side will an android take..their kind or the human kind.
Robots were initially invented to take orders but if we invent androids who could break orders. What right do humans have to give an order to break an order? When humans made a mistake they were punished. How about robots? Should we punish a robot? Would they care? And if we punish a robot, will they have grudges and revenge towards humans? Can human forgive a robot? How about a dawn of a new era when robots regarded themselves as human beings, just like in the movie 'Bicentennial Man'. In the end....could human really tolerate androids?
I think that was what the movie 'Artificial Intelligence' was trying to address to the audience. When Hobby was asked Sheila (the android) what did she felt when a needle was poked into her arms. "Nothing", she replied. When questioned again about what Hobby did to her feeling, Sheila replied "You did it to my hands". This few lines gave us a powerful opening to the movie. It made it clear to us the weakness in every machine. But that supposedly was to be first generation of androids.
Things got pretty interesting later with the introduction of much more human-like androids. Androids that were given neuron technology, mapping impulse pathways and even the ability to dream. Cloning was introduced. Imagine a time where an android can be created out of human's own image. A mecha child (mechanical) was introduced to us in the movie, capable of imitating human characters via advanced programming. That was the decision that Henry and Monica took in the movie. The decision to clone their own child, Martin into an almost exact replica of (*height difference noted) an android (David) capable of feeling...love anger and depression when their sick child was in the hospital.
I watched the movie mix feelings actually. Hundreds of question came to my mind. Even a simple phrase uttered game me hundreds more. How do we balance responsibility and morality if a robot was given feelings? Should we love them when they showed us love? Could it be real...although it felt and looked real to us humans. Was it genuine or mere programmes. If they scream, would it be really them who was screaming? Would human tolerate a robot, which one day could actually be smarter, more efficient than us? Will they have a complete sense of understanding about human nature? Monica was taking a dump when David disturbed her. Could a robot precisely understand the nature of human beings...hunger, breathe, metabolism even if they are capable of feelings?
When in danger the human mind will try to sort out what would be the best action to be taken. In one scene when Martin was at the pool, his friends wanted to jokingly poke David's hand with a sharp object. David did not respond immediately but later turned to Martin and hid behind him for sanctuary. Did Martin have the respond or the reflex was instilled even in new born human beings? When David accidentally fall into the pool did he let go of Martin who was drowning? (Well, David was heavy..all those fibers and steel). No, David did not. Later, when only Martin was saved from the pool and Martin was left down at the bottom, the director shot the scene from under the water. I really felt what the robot must have been feeling at the time. I sympathize. But should I really?
Next came Teddy (the super toy). In a brilliant scene, Martin and David were both giving instructions to Teddy. Somewhat ironic, because even the super toy cannot decide whose instruction to be obeyed. The super toy was confused and honestly, so was I. Imagine my other arguments. If robots have human-like feelings, naturally they also will have flaws of being a human. Jealousy, as exhibited by David when chowing down food at the dining table (initially he was chowing down imaginary food). How about anger? Will robots have the right to be angry? If we saw injustice done to androids, should we fight for them. Worst, should we fight among humans just because an android have feelings. And if we fight, whose side will an android take..their kind or the human kind.
Robots were initially invented to take orders but if we invent androids who could break orders. What right do humans have to give an order to break an order? When humans made a mistake they were punished. How about robots? Should we punish a robot? Would they care? And if we punish a robot, will they have grudges and revenge towards humans? Can human forgive a robot? How about a dawn of a new era when robots regarded themselves as human beings, just like in the movie 'Bicentennial Man'. In the end....could human really tolerate androids?
P/s: Yupp..this movie sure did raise a lot of question. !
If you have a knack for futuristic android genre movie that will surely question the intelligent mind, do consider watching some of my excellent recommendation. Gattaca, Bicentinial Man, I-Robot
©Copyright Faisal Bawazir Muchtar, UiTM 2008
