A phenomenal achievement

Rating: 10/10 (25 April 2015)

Few movies go above and beyond what is expected of them. "Ex Machina" is one of those movies. Science fiction films are typically introduced with an intriguing premise and satisfying delivery, but only up to a point. They too often lose the integrity they started with and settle for something less than great - even mediocre. Seldom do movies actually maintain their goal, their integrity, their power throughout every minute. Again, "Ex Machina" is one of those movies.
"Ex Machina" takes a dive into the science fiction genre with heavy themes, sharp social criticism, and an overwhelming intrigue. We are introduced to two male characters, Caleb and Nathan. Caleb is a young computer programmer who has been invited to the isolated home of a scientist, Nathan, to test the human qualities of a new female A.I. named Ava. There is a clear duality between these two male characters: Caleb is very bright, evidently insecure, and somewhat intimidated by Nathan. Nathan, on the other hand, is very bright as well, but his ego is as inflated as his intellect. He is the epitome of a genius, but his character also represents the arrogance, ignorance, and blind power that threatens society's perception of humanity.
Ava, the "female" A.I., is an astonishing achievement in the realm of computer programming and artificial intelligence. The visual effects are mastered here. So mastered, in fact, that the audience is able to watch Ava and almost entirely forget that she an "artificial" human, a machine. Herein lies the movies main theme: What does it mean to be human?
This movie takes us on an odyssey of the human condition, venturing to question the structure of human society, a society becoming increasingly technological advanced. This movie presents us with the haunting fact that the human condition is undefined, and we are testing the limits of what we, as a species, do not understand entirely.
The directing in "Ex Machina" is exceptional, never losing focus of its goal. The production design, visual effects, and music score contribute enormously to an extremely surreal, almost haunting and dream-like atmosphere. In addition to the steady camera angles and cinematography, there is a very David Lynch and Stanley Kubrick aura to the scenes. This is one of the most intriguing movies I've ever seen. It is undoubtedly one of the best of 2015.