‘Ex-Machina’ puts emphasis on intelligence of AI

The movie Her explored a young computer programmer’s reliance on artificial intelligence in which he ultimately developed an emotional dependency on it and concluded with a bittersweet note of a love between man and machine that was never meant to last. It was one of the best films of last year.

“Ex-Machina” covers very similar turf, as a young computer programmer forms romantic feelings for a robotic beauty, but the film’s conclusion is perhaps as far removed from that of “Her” as you can imagine. It is also a frontrunner for one of the best films of this year.

A nebbishy coder named Caleb (played by Domhnall Gleeson) wins a spot in his search-engine company for a weeklong stay at a remote hideaway with his boss Nathan (played by Oscar Isaac), where he is working diligently on his next big invention. It’s artificial intelligence, but in the comely form of a robot named Ava (played by Alicia Vikander). Caleb is asked to perform a Turing test to see if Ava is capable of demonstrating human-like qualities even though she is well aware of her mechanical origins.

But within moments of the the introductions among these three, it becomes a mystery for the audience to figure out who are actually the conductors and who are the subjects of these tests.

The concept of AI is a science fiction mainstay (which Nathan even alludes to in the film) - having been a subject of meditation since cinema’s earliest days in “Metropolis.” Hell, this is already the third film this year to feature such a subject (with “The Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Chappie” already released in theaters).

While “Ex-Machina” may not reach the heights of such enduring AI classics as “Blade Runner” and “2001,” its thoughtful approach is one that will allow it to remain in the conversation, and will certainly help push lesser AI films such as “I, Robot,” “Bicentennial Man” and “Heartbeeps” out of the collective consciousness.

First-time director Alex Garland has certainly dedicated much time to the genre, penning “28 Days Later,” “Sunshine” and the “Dredd” remake (he also serves as writer here). Though it is not short on technical flash, it is certainly interested in focusing on the intellectual pursuits of man overthrowing nature and creating a thinking being - and, subsequently, that being’s place in the natural world.

It is also anchored by a trio of committed performances. The most recognizable name is Isaac as the too-smart-for-his-own-good Nate. Sure, Nate’s a super-genius, but he is devoted to the concept that he’s a guy’s guy - he likes working out, refers to Caleb as “dude” and seems like he crafted Ava from the pages of Maxim Magazine’s Robot Edition. But it’s not by accident, as Ava is programmed to use sexuality as part of her operating system.

And while Caleb is effective, Gleeson plays it a little too sheepish. He’s given the opportunity of a lifetime, and he seems too busy shoegazing to be overwhelmed with the potential presented him. But where Gleeson may dial it back too much, Vikander creates a sleek and seductive character who makes it easy to see why Caleb could fall for her, even if she may be more akin to his blender than to him.

The resulting film is a strong, sharp and stylishly seductive work that may alienate those looking for fast, cheap thrills, but for those who don’t mind waiting out the time it takes “Ex-Machina” to download, the result puts the emphasis on the “intelligence” of AI.