“We can coexist, but only on my terms.”
Thought-provoking ‘what if…?’ movie that is the 70s link between 2001 and Wargames with a bit of The Terminator’s backstory, while looking ahead to our current dangers with Artificial Intelligence. A learning computer designed to be infallible is given complete control of America’s defense. It immediately detects a threat – espionage the U.S. were unaware of – and in a frighteningly brief time becomes smarter than its creators. Quick to act, the computer essentially takes over the world and the people attempt a daring plan to take back control.
The interesting subtext here is that Colossus’ arrogant, emotionless manner reflects the attitude of Dr. Forbin, who built the computer, while the plan to defeat it relies on Forbin finding his human side. He must reason with the computer about a person’s need for sleep, the benefit of a good martini, the desire for human companionship away from Colossus’ cameras. A man fighting for survival by extolling human qualities he once brushed aside in order to create this Frankenstein. It’s not too deep, but it’s this extra layer that makes the film so interesting.
I also really like the look of the film. Sargent doesn’t try to go futuristic with the setting or lighting, instead embracing the now, much like how Wargames and The Terminator are quintessentially 80s.
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