Citizen Critique-A.I.

A.I., reviewed by Rick Cot & eacute;


A.I. is what many critics have called it -- compelling, complex and I would say, above all, disturbing. It is a movie that many will find themselves talking about afterward, thinking about as they go to sleep that night. If you are thinking Spielberg plus kids plus a two-letter name equals E.T., you may be upset when you find yourself in something closer to Dark City than "E.T. phone home."


The ending is deeply flawed (in my mind, it would have been much better if it ended in front of the Blue Fairy). Contrived will be a word that comes to mind for many in terms of this ending. But before you get to that ending, scenes such as the Flesh Fair, with Gigolo Joe, and when David is activated will have imprinted in your mind. Haley Joel Osment of The Sixth Sense and Pay It Forward makes a convincing claim to the title of best child actor. Who has ever been better than him?


Maybe most disturbing is the portrait of humans in the movie. If it is accurate (and I fear it is), then this movie will not do well at the box office despite the critics' help.