Androids are often reviled in films ("Metropolis" or "The Terminator" for example) but recently there seems to have been an attempt to sympathise with artificial human beings and understand their desire to become fully-fleshed members of the human race. "A.I. Artificial Intelligence" revolves around a robotic creation with the physical characteristics of a young boy (the winsome Haley Joel Osment) who longs to become 'real', that is human, in order to win back the love of his mother. Adapted from a story by Brain Aldiss ("Supertoys Last All Summer Long"), it was a project long in development by Stanley Kubrick.
Kubrick, who displayed a fascination with the interaction between humanity and technology, of course had himself explored the notion of corporeity and the self-humanisation of machines with "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968). The onboard computer HAL gradually assumes the traits of the crew, beginning with a creeping arrogance that unfortunately blossoms into murderous paranoia. As Dave (Keir Dullea) calmly terminates his circuitry, HAL sadly registers the development of some of the more admirable human emotions: guilt, regret, the desire to inspire affection, and a thirst for second chances.
Such awakenings to a clearer consciousness are not uncommon among androids. Don Opper in Aaron Lipstadt's underrated "Android" comes to mind, likewise Rutger Hauer's contrite replicant in "Blade Runner". Lance Henriksen, atoning for the synthetic sins of Ian Holm, is another example in "Aliens", likewise Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Terminator 2" where he has become an entity for good.
Chris Columbus' "Bicentennial Man" went a little too far in attempting to argue that androids can be human too, which leaves Spielberg, not hitherto known for his tendency to avoid mawkishness, to offer a sober comment on the android's quest to be human.
Of course, Buzz Lightyear said it best - "To infinity and beyond!" - but he's just a cartoon, and a toy, so obviously doesn't count.
- Visit the official "A.I." website.
- Read about the online mystery surrounding "A.I.".
- Jude Law puts his mark on "A.I."
- Film 2001 talked to Alan Cummings on Stanley Kubrick.
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