Review of Automata (2014) by Monte C — 20 Jan 2015

As Carl Franzen from The Verge said: "Not since The Matrix, or perhaps even Blade Runner (which Automata also liberally references), has a dystopian world seemed so compelling in-and-of itself. The story takes place in 2044 and earth has lost the vast majority of its population, becoming radioactive with corporate-produced robots developed to protect us not only from radioactivity, but from ourselves.

A. Banderas plays an insurance named Jacq Vaucan assigned to figure out how one of the robots was altered to take actions by itself when the robots supposedly were created with two unalterable protocols: they cannot harm any form of life and they can neither repair themselves nor alter another robot in any fashion.

The film continues from there and as I watched the film, I was in complete support of the robots. During scenes where they were shot, I literally cried, because I feel so close to them. Watching this film may give you a sudden urge to feel disdain for the human race and I think the message that co-writer and director Gabe Ibanez is sending out is the robot's desire for freedom, to have autonomy and live freely within their colonies.

The only reason I fail to award a fifth star is due to its somber and somewhat bittersweet ending but I assure you that I felt very connected to this film. It moved me to tears when the robots were hurt or shot by humans.

What a magnificent and deep motion picture! I am a human but I AM on their side and will protect them with everything I can muster. RECOMMENDED and available in HD on Netflix streaming!!