Rating of
2.5/4
"Automata" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 12/03/15
An insurance investigator from the world's leading robotics manufacturer stumbles upon a case in which the robots seem to be experiencing self awareness. Is this a result of a rogue engineer modifying their products, or something else...? Anyone who has seen more than a couple of sci-fi films over the years will no doubt already have worked out the answer to that question in this near future tale that bears more than a passing resemblance to I, Robot. Other "inspirations" are also obvious, the early scenes showing a desperate yearning to be Blade Runner and the metaphysical nature of the plot echoes much of the science fiction of the 1970s. A shaven-headed Antonio Banderas makes a suitably confused and desperate protagonist although Tim McInnerny's villain lacks the menace required for the part, instead resembling a sneering corporate weasel who looks rather uncomfortable with a "space shotgun" in his hand. As for Melanie Griffith, well her immobile plastic surgeon's mask makes her both barely recognisable and completely expressionless unfortunately. As a whole, the film Automata reminded me of most was District 9, but it lacked both the satisfying dramatic narrative and sheer entertainment value of Neill Blomkamp's excellent debut, but it is still off beat and unusual enough to be worth a watch to those craving some cerebral sci fi.
