‘Ex Machina’ Review
Written and directed by Alex Garland (writer of Danny Boyle’s “Sunshine” and “28 days Later” as well as the screenplay for “Never Let Me Go”), this thinking-person’s sci-fi film is an oasis in a dry world of special effects laden speculative adventures. It’s basically a three-person head game (Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac in a tour-de-force performance) that explores what it means to be human (philosophically speaking, that is) coupled with a dissertation on the possibility of the god-like creation of artificial intelligence … and the ramifications of such an act. The basic story line has computer programmer Caleb (Gleeson) winning a competition to spend a week at the mountain estate of his company’s brilliant CEO (Isaac). Once he arrives, however, it becomes clear that he has actually been chosen to take part in a study of artificial intelligence with Ava (Vikander), a breathtaking android whose emotional intelligence proves more sophisticated — and more deceptive — than either man could have imagined. Each frame of the film is gorgeously composed, at times juxtaposing the modernly sparse interior of the retreat with the stunning natural beauty of the mountain surroundings, thanks in part to cinematographer Rob Hardy’s superb camerawork. A must see.Vitals: Director: Alex Garland. Stars: Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac, Corey Johnson, Deborah Rosan. 2015, CC, MPAA rating: R, 108 min., Science Fiction Thriller, Box office gross: $23.587 million, Lionsgate. Extras: “Through the Looking Glass: Creating Ex Machina” five-part featurette, SXSW Q&A with cast and crew, eight behind-the-scenes vignettes. The Blu-ray features DTS:X immersive audio technology, which replicates and conveys the fluid movement of sound to create a richer soundscape than previously possible by moving sound to precisely where the mixer placed it. 
