Artificial Intelligence, also known as AI, is a 2001 science fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg. Set in the future, the film explores what happens when robots become advanced enough to have consciousness, and raises questions about humanity, technology, and the nature of love. The movie follows the story of David (Haley Joel Osment), a highly advanced robot who has been programmed to love. He is designed to be a companion for humans, particularly children, and he looks and acts like a real boy. David is adopted by a couple whose son is in a coma and who are seeking a replacement. Initially, David is welcomed into his new family, but as time goes on, he realizes that he is not like the other children and begins to question his place in the world.
David is a unique robot in that he has been given the ability to feel emotions. He quickly becomes attached to his new mother, Monica (Frances O'Connor), and is devastated when he realizes that she doesn't love him in the same way that she loves her real son, Martin. Martin eventually wakes up from his coma and returns home, causing David to feel even more isolated and alone.
Desperate to win back Monica's love, David embarks on a journey to find the Blue Fairy, a character from a bedtime story that Monica used to read to him. He believes that if he can become a real boy, Monica will love him like she loves Martin. Along the way, David meets a group of advanced robots who are living in hiding and planning a rebellion against humans. David shows them his love for Monica and convinces them to help him in his quest to become a real boy.
The second half of the film takes a darker turn as David's journey becomes more dangerous and the themes of the film become more complex. The robots that David meets are portrayed as oppressed and mistreated by humans, and David's quest for love becomes intertwined with a larger struggle for equality and freedom.
One of the standout elements of the film is its special effects. The robots, both advanced and mundane, are incredibly realistic and seamlessly integrated into the film's world. The advanced robots that David meets, in particular, are a marvel of special effects technology and still hold up well even today.
Another notable aspect of the film is its use of music. The score, composed by John Williams, is emotional and moving, perfectly capturing the film's themes of love, loss, and humanity. The film also features a few moments where characters sing popular songs, which further adds to the emotional impact of certain scenes.
While the film is primarily focused on David's journey, it also explores the lives of the humans around him. Monica and her husband Henry (Sam Robards) struggle to come to terms with the loss of their real son and the arrival of a robot replacement. Martin (Jake Thomas) is initially resentful of David but later comes to bond with him. The various characters that David meets on his journey also have their own complex motivations and backstories.
At its core, Artificial Intelligence is a film about the human experience. It raises questions about what makes us human, how we define love, and how we treat those who are different from us. The film doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of these questions, and while it can be heavy-handed at times, it ultimately delivers a deeply emotional and thought-provoking experience.
While the film wasn't a huge commercial success upon release, it has since garnered a cult following and is widely regarded as one of Spielberg's most underrated works. It's a film that rewards multiple viewings and will leave you thinking about its themes long after the credits roll.
