Transcendence

"Dr. Will Caster is dying to keep a secret"

Want to know what may happen to the world in the next decade or so? Watch Transcendence. Starring Johnny Depp, this film is about what would technology could do if it were given a mind of it's own. Dr Will Caster (Johnny Depp) is one of the top researchers in the field of Artificial Intelligence. He wants to create a computer with a full range of human emotions, which will create, in his words, 'Transcendence'. 

When a group of terrorists shoot Caster with a radioactive bullet in an attempt to destroy him, it only becomes an impetus for Caster to succeed in his endeavor- to be a part of his own transcendence. His wife Evelyn (Rebecca Hall) and best friend Max (Paul Bettany) begin to wonder if what they are doing is right or not. Their worst fears come to light when Will's simple thirst for knowledge turns to an infinite journey for power. 

The plot and story for this film was fantastic. You don't usually see movies with a plot and story as good as Transcendence. The acting was alright too. I would say that only Paul Bettany (Max) did a great job as portraying Will and Evelyn's friend. The visual effects department did their job! The special effects in the movie were amazing. However, I felt that there could have been a little more development of a few things, like the terrorist group, RIFT. There was a lot of potential in this movie, but it's development and delivery was lackluster. Otherwise, it's plot was great, and if you love sci-fi, you'll like this movie. 

• Genre- Sci-fi and fantasy
• Director- Wally Pfister
• Producers- Broderick Johnson, Andrew A. Kosorve, Kate Cohen, Marisa Polvino, Annie Marter, David Valdes and Aaron Ryder
• Starring- Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, Paul Bettany and Kate Mara 
• Writer- Jack Paglen 

My rating

3/5 

Divergent

"What Makes You Different, Makes You Dangerous"

Based on the book by Veronica Roth, Divergent is set in a post-apocalyptic world in which society is divides into factions based on positive human traits: Abnegation (selflessness), Dauntless (bravery), Erudite (knowledge), Amity (peace) and Candor (truth). Every year at the age of 16, boys and girls undergo a test, which suggest which faction they would fit into. After the test, Tris (Shailene Woodley) learns that she is Divergent, and will never fit in any faction.

After a hard time at her new faction, Tris learns about a sinister plot to overthrow the government and destroy Divergents because of their way of thinking independently. Tris and her trainer-turned-friend Four (Theo James) must find out why Divergents are dangerous and a way to stop the toppling of the government.

To be honest with you guys, I found Divergent quite boring. First of all, I thought that it was like the Hunger Games. I mean, kids being divided into factions and then being put together for training? Come on, Veronica Roth! One more thing, if you haven't read the book, you're going to find the movie a little hard to follow. Some of the scenes didn't really have any relevance, like the zip-line scene in the middle. The next negative point I have is that there was barely any character development throughout the movie. If I had to describe the movie in one word, I would say BORING! I almost went to sleep, and believe me, I'm not one to sleep during a movie.

• Genre- Adventure, action and sci-fi
• Director- Neil Burger 
• Producers- Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher and Pouya Shabazian
• Starring- Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Jai Courtney 
• Screenplay- Evan Daugherty and Vanessa Taylor 

My rating

2.5/5