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Created Apr 26, 2015 07:36AM PST • Edited Apr 26, 2015 07:36AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Really Great 4.5

   There have been lots of AI/Robot movies over the years, but despite the risk of seeing a retread we gave Ex Machina a shot. The themes weren’t new per-se, but Alex Garland weaves his tale in such an intriguing set of character studies, the story would have held my interest even without the AI component. It is a classic case of “all is not what it seems” where different perspectives – even among fellow movie goers – leads to different conclusions about what is happening. The intrigue about the robot’s AI is strong, and the plot thick. Really great entertainment!

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   Domhnall Gleeson (Caleb) of Harry Potter series fame seems a bit out of place. Is he strong and confident, or is he the yes-man pee on? In the end, both aspects have their place, so I guess it was a job well done.

   Oscar Isaac (Nathan) gets my acting pick of the film. His “approachable untrustworthiness” was a combination I hadn’t quite seen like this before. Very well done.

   The eerily beautiful Alicia Vikander (Ava) does Robot in a way you haven’t seen before, and you’re going to like it a lot.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

11. Direction Really Great 4.5

12. Play Really Great 4.5

13. Music Really Great 4.5

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.7

17. Sex Titillating 1.7

18. Violence Fierce 1.7

19. Rudeness Salty 1.7

21. Reality

    Surreal 2.2

22. Circumstantial Surreal 2.2

23. Biological Surreal 2.2

24. Physical Surreal 2.2