Ex Machina

[adkimery]

I just watched it and certainly enjoyed it.

***SPOILERS****










I too wondered why they didn't talk about the 3 Laws or why there wasn't more enhanced security and fail safes, but then I realized that that's kinda like getting a ride in a Porsche Boxter and going "Shouldn't this have rear seats?" "Ex Machine" isn't a prison break movie and it's not a 3 Laws movie (and there are already an abundance of both). The movie is more about the intellectual, moral and emotional side of AI, not the danger and violence side that is so often the focal point of sci-fi movies, and I think it does a very good job of telling its story.

On a related note, I really enjoyed the first 2/3's of the movie "Sunshine" but I hated the last third because it changed from thought provoking to stereotypical-monster-on-a-space-ship. Once the robots escaped I was worried that Nathan would turn to Caleb and deliver some sort of "You fool! Do you know what you've done?!?" line and the movie would devolve into a typical horror movie the same "Sunshine" did. Thankfully that didn't happen. They movie stayed true to it's roots through the end.

I expected a last talk between between Ava and Caleb (or for them to go off together) but I'm glad that didn't happen either. I mean, what really needed to be said? She wanted to survive and be free. Caleb was a potential obstacle to that goal (especially since Nathan was murdered). I loved the quick glance AVA gave when she got in the elevator to leave. I think it hinted that she cared about Caleb but cared about her own survival more. If she was a total sociopath I think she would have kept her eyes straight ahead thus not acknowledging Caleb's situation.

Last thought. Previous bots had demanded escape (and even damaged themselves trying to break the glass and/or doors), so why didn't Ava do this? Did Nathan adjust the programing so the AI didn't react violently to captivity? Did the partial formatting not erase all the AI's memories like Nathan thought it did so, based on previous experience, did Ava learn the futility of that course of action?

Nathan had a strong feeling that Ava would try to manipulate her way to freedom, but I don't think he thought she would resort to murder (let alone conspiring with another bot to commit the escape and murder). It's a similar 'folly of man' theme like in the original Jurassic Park. Life, even artificial life, finds a way. Nathan underestimated his creations as well as Caleb and Caleb underestimated Ava.


-Andrew

 

[David Jimerson]

Not sure the word "sociopath" would apply.

 

[abreu-canedo]

I just watched it and certainly enjoyed it.

***SPOILERS****










I too wondered why they didn't talk about the 3 Laws or why there wasn't more enhanced security and fail safes, but then I realized that that's kinda like getting a ride in a Porsche Boxter and going "Shouldn't this have rear seats?" "Ex Machine" isn't a prison break movie and it's not a 3 Laws movie (and there are already an abundance of both). The movie is more about the intellectual, moral and emotional side of AI, not the danger and violence side that is so often the focal point of sci-fi movies, and I think it does a very good job of telling its story.

On a related note, I really enjoyed the first 2/3's of the movie "Sunshine" but I hated the last third because it changed from thought provoking to stereotypical-monster-on-a-space-ship. Once the robots escaped I was worried that Nathan would turn to Caleb and deliver some sort of "You fool! Do you know what you've done?!?" line and the movie would devolve into a typical horror movie the same "Sunshine" did. Thankfully that didn't happen. They movie stayed true to it's roots through the end.

I expected a last talk between between Ava and Caleb (or for them to go off together) but I'm glad that didn't happen either. I mean, what really needed to be said? She wanted to survive and be free. Caleb was a potential obstacle to that goal (especially since Nathan was murdered). I loved the quick glance AVA gave when she got in the elevator to leave. I think it hinted that she cared about Caleb but cared about her own survival more. If she was a total sociopath I think she would have kept her eyes straight ahead thus not acknowledging Caleb's situation.

Last thought. Previous bots had demanded escape (and even damaged themselves trying to break the glass and/or doors), so why didn't Ava do this? Did Nathan adjust the programing so the AI didn't react violently to captivity? Did the partial formatting not erase all the AI's memories like Nathan thought it did so, based on previous experience, did Ava learn the futility of that course of action?

Nathan had a strong feeling that Ava would try to manipulate her way to freedom, but I don't think he thought she would resort to murder (let alone conspiring with another bot to commit the escape and murder). It's a similar 'folly of man' theme like in the original Jurassic Park. Life, even artificial life, finds a way. Nathan underestimated his creations as well as Caleb and Caleb underestimated Ava.


-Andrew

Well said. I found it to be more of an exploration about how humans understand intelligence, and the boundaries of emotion and rationality. I also think making AVA's performance of emotion at the end understated was a good move. It reminded me that our expressions of emotion are learned, but her stare at the end was still able to communicate to me a sense of sacrifice or regret.

As far as the security protocol are concerned, I found it to communicate the sense of arrogance and god-like self confidence through which Nathan saw himself. Even in the early dialogue it foreshadows his over-confidence and this is what for me contextualized what some have described as "foolish mistakes". Plus, the drinking was also a strategy the works as a double edge sword...similarly to "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo". I liked how this social custom became symbolic for passive aggressive power grabs throughout the story. Very subtle...for the most part.

 

[adkimery]

Not sure the word "sociopath" would apply.

I think it could apply. If Ava feigned helplessness and attraction in order to manipulate Caleb into helping her escape, all the while planning to commit murder I think that fits the bill. Sociopaths and psychopaths are generally described as having no empathy, no remorse, no emotional connection to others yet mimic those traits as a way to get what they want by manipulating people. Was Ava's quick glance from the elevator in Caleb's a tiny bit of remorse or empathy for leaving him to die? I kinda think so, but on the closing shot she's happy as a lark as she stands on the corner people watching.

Ava appeared afraid to 'die', and that certainly triggered a helpful response from Caleb, yet Ava showed no empathy for her 'sister' that Nathan killed with the barbell and she didn't have any adverse reaction to finding a half dozen of her sisters hanging in Nathan's closet. She harvested them for parts and clothes and left. If Ava truly had emotions I think she would have felt some sort of sadness over that macabre discovery.


-Andrew

 

[KurtF]

Sociopath was a word that came to mind as I watched the film. After all the Turing Test is to determine if the machine is really alive and thinking, or just simulating it. Sociopaths can pretend, and blend in, but they don't really have the connection. Ava may have been successful as an A.I., and also be a complete sociopath.