In this age of sci-fi as action tentpole, an amazing accomplishment

Rating: 9/10 (29 July 2017)

Pure sci-fi. Not action, not horror, but a blend of elements and philosophizing that, in this age of sci-fi as action tentpole, is an amazing accomplishment. There are a lot of questions left unanswered, but much like life, the journey has to settle as the answer (for now).
That may seem like explaining away what could also be blandness, lack of imagination or incoherence, but in this beautiful and spectacularly crafted film, it's hard to believe that's the case. Just because something doesn't have a concrete explanation doesn't mean it doesn't have an answer. This is a visual film and also an emotional one. The characters don't understand what's going on and they're not supposed to. They're supposed to act and react.
It observes the creation of life on many levels, including some not often thought of - Parent and child, Man and machine, God and man, God and other creatures, even God as mortal creator.
And of course Michael Fassbender's David steals the show. An incredible accomplishment of restrained acting creates a complete character out of an android. "Can you imagine how disappointing it would be for you to hear the same thing from your creator?" David discussing the mundanity of creation to Charlie (Logan Marshall- Green) drowning his sorrows.