Archive [DVD] [2020]

Usually, I don't do reviews, but I thought this was worthy of one.1. Because I liked the film.2. It's by a new director - Moon's Visual Designer.3. A lot was achieved with the (recycled) AI and computerised after-life concepts.4. Believable cast performances.Similarities to Moon, Ex Machina, Westworld, Ghost in the shell, and resonance with 2001: A Space Odyssey and Metropolis. (Replicas, but the less said about that the better). Also, Black Mirror, but I prefer to treat it as a standalone experience than forever compare to other work.I usually give a film 15-20 mins to engage & immerse me. I have an eclectic taste and this genre is one that I like a lot. So, I was engaged early on. I'm always open minded regarding what to expect from a film. I liked many things about the film:Building robots to be human-like conceptThe visual elements reminded me of similar aspects of Ridley Scott's Alien/Prometheus exterior panoramas, the serene pace of movement/camera angles, icy whiteness, the neon industrial look to the lab environment.The prototype robots physical look. J1 - an armless box, like a Star Wars 'gonk' droid, that talks in noises, like a baby. J2 - a step up, but similar gonk droidiness, but speaks and behaves like a teen. J3 - human-like and adult with a very cool look. J for Jules, wife of George, the Roboticist.The advanced AI to make them more human emotionally & behaviours characterised.Lots of themes opened up that could have been explored further. I did wonder whether George was going to end up with a hot robot wife - it could of went several several ways!

I knew nothing about this film but liked the sound of a sci fi thriller. I wasn’t disappointed. With the exception of Toby Jones, I knew nothing about the actors. The central characters are plausible and I bought in to the story of lone scientist working unofficially on his own project to develop a ‘human’ robot. By means of flashback, the viewer sees a precious relationship with his wife and he’s keen to incorporate certain human values into his AI programme.It’s well plotted; a tale of robot jealousy and eccentricity. Conflicting human values; love, lust and loyalty compete. Creepy scientist may be losing the plot or is he the victim of corporate greed and rivalry? A lot more than I expected from the film and overall, quite a teaser. Highly recommended.

I don’t get why some people gave this film a low score, they don’t understand art and the underline theme of loss. The acting is great especially when he had to carry the whole film by himself near enough, the visual shots of the outside shots and camera work is beautiful and stunning. Little details like the graphics on the displays and also the sequence of building the main robot graphic visuals just wow. And the robots were really impressive for a film which doesn’t have the budget like a Hollywood blockbuster but still put them to shame. This film will probably end up a cult classic like alien, and blade runner did over time as it shows you can do a lot with out a lot. I marked it down by one start as I felt the pace was slightly dragging, but it still doesn’t subtract from something special. This director/producer is apparently new and can’t give enough praise and can’t wait to see future films from this talented person. Loved it.

PLOT...2049: George Almore is working on a true human-equivalent AI. His latest prototype is almost ready. This sensitive phase is also the riskiest. Especially as he has a goal that must be hidden at all costs.Archive is a fantastic little independent sci-fi gem, much like Ex-Machina its just one of those brilliant little movies that pops out of nowhere, a great story that does start out a little slow but builds more and more as the plot progresses, a one man lead movie for 90% of the time, Theo James is great and the small support cast is good too. The visual effects are really good and everything is believable. The movie has a twisted ending especially the last 5 minutes that you wont probably see coming even though allot of clues are there throughout the movie. If you love sci-fi with a great story that keeps you thinking and is not all lasers and spaceships then check it out.Blu-ray has a great HD picture especially upscaled on a 4K player.No features which is a shame.Region B, Running time 109mins, English language, English HDH subtitles.

No spoilersI enjoy a film that makes you think. Even ones with faults. At first look I thought there were some strange, silly elements to this film. By the end, I understood. It all came together, tied up neatly, but strangely.George is stuck out in the woods of snow covered Japan, working alone on his robot project. Still grieving his late wife, up against his employers, and others, he is under pressure to complete his task. Can he fix her in time? Will she want to be fixed?

So boring I gave up half way through, however my partner watched the end and without any adding a spoiler said it made a bad movie truly awful....

I watch a lot of streaming material on Prime. This had to be the second most tedious movie I've watched. The end seemed predictable way near the beginning but stupidly in the vain hope there would be a twist I laboured through to the end. Some of the ideas were great, like the location, but everything was dragged out to the point that I'm screaming at myself for wasting time on not only renting it but watching it till the bitter end.