Determinism Equals Intelligent Design?

Rating: 6/10 (15 April 2009)

Early in the film, there is much made of the very old philosophical question of whether life is merely a random occurrence, or whether there is a plan being followed. This is not just a religious question--it is the FIRST question. And that question leads to others, such as how free will is constrained by the Plan. And the ultimate question--exactly what IS the Plan? This film is based on that series of questions, and the film maker elects to answer the questions unambiguously.
An earlier IMDb commentator referred to this film as religious propaganda, a fairly good assessment in my view (my impression of the last scene is that it is located in the New Eden). The aliens were also remarkably similar to angels. The religious propaganda never goes beyond themes into any specific dogma or theology. It is unlikely that any orthodox or fundamentalists would be able to reconcile the film with their beliefs.
Determinism seems to be the equivalent of Intelligent Design. The film suggests that the intelligence which originally designed the universe is also still in control--the Planner is determining future events.
The creators of this film are entitled to their view, but I think that view would have been much better served had the film ended with Nicolas Cage grieving at the departure of his son. Everything that comes afterward is unnecessary literal confirmation of what should have been only hinted.