A.I. Artificial Intelligence

A post-humanity horror film and a film that strays heavily from Spielberg's previous style. It feels very closed, isolated, surreal, and most importantly, fatal. Despite its piecemeal screenwriting and production missteps, it is an exceptional film in how convincingly it closes the human chapter. Not just in the story, but also in the work with visuals, with Kaminski working with a tightly defined, hazy space and the role of sounds and music here uncharacteristically subdued for Spielberg and Williams, giving the film the impression of a memory even as you watch. (16/01/2022)

This is supposed to be Spielberg’s dud? In that case, my opinion of his filmography has increased manifold... A film imperfect due its overly sentimental approach, but beautiful nonetheless in its narrative playfulness and the view of events through an eternally fascinated child's "mind" that best reveals Steven's own fascination with the subject matter. Kubrick would be pleased. 85% (10/08/2022)

A captivating and visionary sci-fi film that is unlike anything ever made before. It's not worth arguing about whether Kubrick would have done it better or worse. Spielberg made the film the way he wanted and did not embarrass his colleague. A technically flawless film with beautifully ethereal music and excellently chosen actors. A great experience and once again, one of the masterpieces of world cinema that will most likely never be fully appreciated. (26/10/2003)

Kubrick behind the concept, Spielberg the creator, and in the end, a beautiful film full of naive searching, simple and human thoughts, breathtaking performances by Osment and Law, and a conclusion that can mentally overwhelm. I admire this film for being able to combine traditional Spielbergian family values with a fascinating vision of the future, a plethora of technical gadgets, and many intellectual stimuli. (06/07/2005)

A futuristic tale wrapped in the fine veil of a Disney classic about a robot/puppet who wants to become a normal boy, directed by one of my favourite and most respected directors of all time... well, that's a big attraction, and not just for me. The story is brilliantly composed, and even though at times I felt it was a bit wild, the ending made up for it. Haley Joel Osment is amazing in his role, and for most viewers, myself included, he will always be that child actor from A.I. and The Sixth Sense. Audiovisually, it's a gem, but that's not unexpected after Steven Spielberg's "dinosaur wonder". And I'm pretty sure that if I had seen the film when it premiered, I would have begged my parents for Teddy, because there are very few toys like that indeed. In short, it's not a perfect film, and it could have easily been twenty minutes shorter, but within its genre it's beautiful and memorable. (07/08/2011)