I only watched A.I. in 2003 and I was sure it was gonna be one of the biggest disasters I'd submit myself to, all year long. Why? I'd originally dodged it like the plague, back in 2001. Steven Spielberg, the creator of half of my childhood's dreams, was totally slumming it, after having a huge double-success with Schindler's List and Jurassic Park in 1993 (rightfully so, I may add). But look at his output after that: The Lost World (yuck!), Amistad (BORING!) and Saving Private Ryan (I cannot even begin to express how much I loathe that film on several levels - and I'm usually not too teutonic about WW2 films! I loved Enemy at the Gates and Enigma, and heck, even enjoyed Windtalkers). So yeah, I had finally had enough of the great Spielberg. And frankly, A.I. looked like the worst stinker of the lot!
It didn't help that it was basically a Kubrick film directed by Spielberg. No, jymset ain't a Kubrick fan either!
Anyway, in 2003.... At that stage I'd been moved to see Minority Report (ok, but not as good as the similar Bourne Identity, which was released at exactly the same time) and Catch me if you can (pleasant, but totally overrated, despite Walken turning in an Oscar-nominated performance). Ok, so I was over my "hate-that-traitor-to-my-youth-Spielberg" phase, but, frankly, I didn't think he had it in him anymore. Anyway, how can I say this? Maybe like so: I was totally fucking blown away! FUCK SPIELBERG! That cunt! Before 2003 I last cried watching a Spielberg movie (Empire of the Sun always gets me) and then.... I cried again!
Really, I think that most of you know the story: a modern Pinocchio, if you will. Almost-live boy lives amongst humans whom he loves, gets cast out, looks for a way to become a fully-fledged human. Finds friends who are just as lost along the way. All this is handled very competently and really takes you for a ride. Funny thing, the near future as shown in A.I. is much more believable than in Minority Report, though that is the later movie.
No, really, what I want to discuss here is the end. If you haven't seen the movie yet, you may not want to read on, but be assured it is well worth a view.
Those of you who have seen it, will probably have their own opinion of it already. A.I. was received rather enthusiastically, but the end was subject of much debate. Many people thought it was unneccessary. In fact, many thought that it much diluted a potentially great ending. David (Haley Joel Osment in the role of his life - forget Sixth Sense!) should have just stayed there - finally having found his Blue Fairy, remaining there trapped in front of her for the ages. Why add an ending where time has progressed beyond all humanity. Why resolve the myth, so that it becomes mundane again? (I think Harry Knowles argued something along those lines, check in the review section.)
Well, because right then and there, Spielberg creates a new myth. One so much more powerful, so true, so existential, that I couldn't help but cry for most of the ending! Both times I've seen it so far!
First of all, the design itself is absolutely excellent. Really removed from our world in a way that is totally believable. Time has passed in the thousands of years. There is nothing left to remind of of our time. Great! Really, the closest thing I've seen to it, are some French Sci-Fi comics (and the last shot of I, Robot - the best moment in a pretty good film). Absolutely stunning stuff.
So, what is the end about? Well, forget all the things you thought about in the previous 1.5 hours, the ethics of quasi-humanity. No, suddenly we are faced with a problem that has preoccupied humanity since the beginning of our time: mortality.
When are we dead? This film gives an answer that I always felt to be true, but was actually only able to finally express after having seen it: We are dead when the last person or thing who had anything to do with us personally is obliterated.
The future humans, who are in fact robots (another stroke of genius - in terms of design, but also in the way that clearly, while they superseded humans, they see their creators in them - there was no apocalyptic war a la Matrix), treat David with the utmost respect. He is the greatest treasure they have ever found: someone who interacted with humans, someone, if you will, who can bring humanity back to life, however briefly.
Really, this theme ran through most of the movie. But really, Gigolo Joe's (Jude Law, in the role he was born to play) last line: "I am. I was." basically says it all. The movie is about the passing of time. About death. Not about life, but not in the sense of David finding it for himself, but preserving it - for himself, sure, but also for others. By being brought back up from the ice, not only does his "mother" live again for a day, but all of humanity. I am going to stop now, otherwise I may just loose it again while I type. Supremely powerful stuff.
So, where does it end up? I totally love it to bits. It gets 4 stars, because I've only seen three, maybe four movies which warrant 5, and I don't give away half stars (yes, this is better than House on Haunted Hill). In terms of Spielberg's films? Well, really, I'd say it's his second greatest, just beating out 1941 and Jaws, to place behind the stunning Empire of the Sun.
Of course, I don't consider Schindler's List (a cinematic monument to humanity) or the Indiana Jones trilogy (a cinematic monument to my childhood) movies that can be compared to any others! :-P
(c) Johannes Heidler, October 5th 2005
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