Transcendence

Name: Transcendence
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: April 17, 2014
Duration: 119 min
Rating: 42
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Johnny Depp, Morgan Freeman, Rebecca Hall

2014

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 45 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 412 Ratings

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6.0	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 412 Ratings

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Transcendence

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: April 17, 2014 | PG-13

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Johnny Depp, Morgan Freeman, Rebecca Hall

Summary: Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp) is the foremost researcher in the field of Artificial Intelligence, working to create a sentient machine that combines the collective intelligence of everything ever known with the full range of human emotions. His highly controversial experiments have made him famous, but they have also made him the primeDr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp) is the foremost researcher in the field of Artificial Intelligence, working to create a sentient machine that combines the collective intelligence of everything ever known with the full range of human emotions. His highly controversial experiments have made him famous, but they have also made him the prime target of anti-technology extremists who will do whatever it takes to stop him. However, in their attempt to destroy Will, they inadvertently become the catalyst for him to succeed—to be a participant in his own transcendence. For his wife Evelyn (Rebecca Hall) and best friend Max Waters (Paul Bettany), both fellow researchers, the question is not if they can, but if they should. Their worst fears are realized as Will’s thirst for knowledge evolves into a seemingly omnipresent quest for power, to what end is unknown. The only thing that is becoming terrifyingly clear is there may be no way to stop him.… Expand

Director: Wally Pfister

Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 119 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Richard Roeper

Apr 17, 2014

Transcendence is a bold, beautiful, sometimes confounding flight of futuristic speculation firmly rooted in the potential of today’s technology. Read full review

Steven Rea

Apr 18, 2014

Echoing the lessons learned from "HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey," the message of Transcendence is that computers should not be allowed to become sentient. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Apr 16, 2014

Pfister, who, like his mentor Nolan, adamantly continues to shoot on film (not digital), shows a sure hand at staging scenes, creating visuals and setting a tone -- if only all the diverse elements here fit comfortably under the same tent. Read full review

David Denby

Apr 27, 2014

Transcendence is a muddle; it takes more creative energy than this to catch up to the present. [28 April 2014, p.86]

Joshua Rothkopf

Apr 16, 2014

While Transcendence has tons of money to spend on unpersuasive digital effects and dronelike music, it shows little interest in exploring the potentially tricky benefits of a computer-enhanced intellect; it’s not even in the enjoyable realm of starkly ridiculous Cold War thrillers like "Colossus: The Forbin" Project. Read full review

Dana Stevens

Apr 17, 2014

Transcendence is nowhere near as elegant, witty, or insightful as "Her." Pfister and the screenwriter, Jack Paglen, grapple ponderously, sometimes oafishly, with the ethical and philosophical issues at stake in the film’s premise. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Apr 17, 2014

Ambitious to a fault, this cautionary fantasy about artificial intelligence has so much on its muddled mind, and so little sense of dramatic grounding, that it grows ever more preposterous before lurching to a climax that's utterly unfathomable. Read full review

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User Reviews

josephjacob3232

Apr 19, 2014

I don't understand why everybody is so negative when it comes to Johnny Depp I went into this film with high hopes and it did not disappoint it had what I was looking for a great story with some action and drama as well this film was very interesting to look at with very good visuals andI don't understand why everybody is so negative when it comes to Johnny Depp I went into this film with high hopes and it did not disappoint it had what I was looking for a great story with some action and drama as well this film was very interesting to look at with very good visuals and some top notch actors like Morgan Freeman & Cillan Murphy & Paul Bettany comparing such a film like this to others is just plain wrong I found this movie very good 10 out of 10 and one of the most underrated films I've seen this year.… Expand

20 of 30 users found this helpful2010

KoLudo

May 30, 2020

My absolute favorite film. I don't really understand the negative reviews.

I love how they explore the all powerful AI in a way with an ending that we haven't seen before rather than the obvious expected.

It takes a little suspending disbelief, but I loved this.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

hollyv

May 3, 2014

Every Sci-Fi movie can be better, of course, but if you grew up on the Twilight Zone and the Outer Limits? If you like M. Night Shyamalan films? You'll enjoy this.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

BrianMcCritic

Jul 22, 2014

Well it's worth a watch it does leave a lot to be desired. The cast is top notch and for the most part they live up to their talent but the story just fails to make it better then okay. B-

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

ErikTheCritic

Oct 14, 2018

Nobody can deny that "Transcendence" looks really stylistic, that's for sure. Also, the movie does have some thought-provoking moments. The problem with this movie is that the story gets to the point where it becomes preposterous and you just don't buy it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JoeCool

Mar 2, 2019

Starts out ok, but the story just fails to stop you from getting bored with it. Can't say there's anything wrong with the acting or anything like that, just boring.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Introduce

Jun 15, 2014

A sort of Transcendence did occur
the kind that winds up me cursing
at how lamb Johnny Depp films have been since he had kids.
Can't wait for his plastic enlightenment period to end so the
guy can get his hands dirty, this script was a joke.

1 of 8 users found this helpful17

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49	#49 Most Discussed Movie of 2014
97	#97 Most Shared Movie of 2014