Trailer Review: Transcendence (2014)

A new teaser trailer for Transcendence has appeared online and it is very interesting. The film is directed by Wally Pfister who has worked with Christopher Nolan in the past as a cinematographer. This sci-fi thriller is Pfister’s directorial debut and it stars Johnny Depp, Morgan Freeman, Paul Bettany, Cillian Murphy, Rebecca Hall and Kate Mara.

Depp plays a researcher trying to create a self-aware machine with artificial intelligence capable of feeling human emotions. His efforts have unfortunately angered a group of anti-technology activists who attempt to harm him physically. Depp’s character Dr. Will Caster finds a way to upload his consciousness and personality into the machine he is working on much to the surprise of his co-workers. This allows him to interact with his wife and colleagues without being with them in person. His peers worry about his obsession with this project and are unsure of how far he is willing to go in order to make it a success. Caster’s goal to acquire knowledge becomes one to acquire power, and he seems to be unstoppable.

The teaser is nicely narrated by Morgan Freeman and it asks questions about what would happen if computers became self-aware. Such machines could be a great benefit to the world but they could also be a threat to the human race. If a thinking computer decided to do its own thing and turn against its creators the consequences could be disastrous. The trailer provokes interesting discussion without revealing any spoilers.

Transcendence will be released on April 25th, check out the trailer and share your thoughts.