Roy, Pris, Leon, Zorah, and Rachel of Blade Runner, you would cheer for Ava, she makes you proud

Rating: 9/10 (22 September 2015)

In the near future, Caleb (Domhnall Glesson) is a tech wizard for a large Google type company. One day, he wins an astounding lottery; he is chosen to meet the CEO of Bluebook, his employer. Yet, this meeting is not on site, it will take place in the chairman Nathan's (Oscar Isaac) mountain abode. Only way to travel there is by chopper. When Caleb arrives, Nathan is not there to greet him but he is issued an entrance by his work card. Roaming the vast mansion, Caleb meets Nathan at last in the workout room. Formalities are exchanged. But, all too soon, it becomes clear that this is working vacation. Nathan brags that he has developed a highly sophisticated cyborg, Ava (Alicia Vikander) and it will be Caleb's "job" to administer a Turing test. This will rate her intelligence. What a turn of events this is. Naturally, Ava is quite beautiful, although some of her robot parts are showing. All too soon, Caleb is fascinated with his subject. While Nathan will be observing their encounters from a remote location, there are power outages from time to time. It is then that Ava tells Caleb that SHE is causing the power blips and that she needs his help to escape the underground bunker where she lodges. Holy Blade Runner. This becomes more complicated when Nathan tells Caleb that Ava will try to manipulate him. There is considerable attention all around, with a lovely Japanese servant throwing another spanner in the works. What will Caleb do? Will he trust Ava? Will he be able to outsmart the security and plans of Nathan, his employer, if Ava is indeed being abused? This is an amazing, amazing film. Its on the same level as films like A.I. and Jurassic Park. Just because something is capable of being done, it doesn't mean its a good idea to do it. Here, the world is about to experience the "A-bomb" of cyborgs in the mesmerizing Ava. The cast, quite small, is wonderful, as each character is difficult to like for various reasons. Vikander is both beautiful and mysterious while Gleeson and Isaac play a head-to-head twosome that is marvelous to view. The film moves slowly, but its not a problem, as it is broken into interviews Caleb conducts with Ava. In any case, it never fails to fascinate, no matter the pace. The setting is great, too, and while there are a few nice special effects, they are not the focus of the movie and, in truth, razzle dazzle is not needed. If you always felt a bit sorry for the replicants in Blade Runner, wow, is this flick for you. Ava turns the tables on the members of homo sapiens but good. Find Ex Machina, find it now.