Review of Transcendence (2014) by Ricky M — 05 Sep 2014

By Ricky Miller.

Entertainment Editor.

Poor Johnny Depp.

After the misfire that was last summer's "The Lone Ranger," he shoots blanks again with "Transcendence." This is yet another flick that looked intriguing on paper with an end result that crashes into the doldrums detour. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.

Essentially, the movie is about how technology can help and benefit our planet. Depp's Will Caster is a technological genius, one who does not frown upon trying to make an obscure idea a reality. His main goal is to incorporate artificial intelligence into the day-to-day world of life here on Earth.

In his future, the world would run more smoothly and peace would run throughout the planet. Gigabytes and technological know-hows are incorporated throughout the storyline.

He holds his wife, Evelyn (Rebecca Hall, "The Town" and "Iron Man 3"), close to his side since the pair share an uncanny bond that holds them together. The duo enjoy also a close rapport with friend and colleague Max Waters (Paul Bettany of "A Beautiful Mind" and "The DaVinci Code") who aids them with the artificial intelligence dynamics of their project.

What was also cool was when a construction worker named Martin (Clifton Collins Jr.) carried hefty construction items with his hand since normally he would have used a forklift.

First-time director Wally Pfister knows what he is doing with the camera. After all, he was the cinematographer on all of Christopher Nolan's movies starting with 2001's "Memento." The pacing is a little bit slow at times, but, when he wants to, Pfister snaps up the pace with a few intermittent scenes of brevity to keep the audience enthralled. Pfister won an Oscar for the photography with 2010's "Inception.".

Too bad it all comes to a close way too soon when the poo hits the fan and everyone involved meets their demise in some inane form or fashion.

Also key to the story is Morgan Freeman's Joseph Tagger, an ally of Evelyn who heeds the warning for Evelyn to flee as soon as possible. He knows something is rotten in Demark, rather the small town she is in.

What should have been intriguing and phenomenal in "Transcendence" completely misses the mark altogether for a flick that is just plain average.

As I've said in the past, it strikes me as a boot to the head, or a sucker punch to the gut when the trailer showed so much promise to feel so unfulfilled at movie's end.

Grade: C.