Automata

Released By: Millennium Entertainment
Released On: November 18, 2014
Director: Gabe Ibanez
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, Dylan McDermott, Robert Forester
Year: 2014
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The Film:

Spanish Director Gabe Ibanez throws his hat into the sci-fi ring with Automata, another look at the phenomenon of Robots Gone Wild in the future, and he's brought along a pretty impressive cast for the ride. In the year 2044, solar storms and other natural disasters have brought a rapidly expanding desertification to the planet Earth, and knocked the population down by billions. In an attempt to preserve what little life is left, the ROC Robotics Corporation introduces the 7000 Pilgrim model, designed to construct the mechanical clouds that supply the earth's "rain" and build the walls that keep the desert out. Constructed with two basic protocols; that they shall not harm, nor allow harm to come to any human and that they should not alter themselves or other robots, the Pilgrims are regarded fondly as the saviours of the human race. Unfortunately, the damage to the planet is not only irreversible, it's also becoming apparent that the desert will eventually overtake what is still habitable, and the Pilgrims fall out of favour with humankind and are relegated to more slave-like roles.

With the impending destruction of the planet so close, the protocols of the Pilgrims should be the least of anyone's concern, but when Officer Sean Wallace (Dylan McDermott) comes across a 7000 model "fixing itself", ROC sends investigator Jacq Vaucan (Antonio Banderas) to figure out what's going on. Following a robot into the desert slum surrounding the walls of the city, Jacq witnesses it scavenging parts, and then setting itself on fire when caught.

Convinced that this must be the work of a "clocksmith", a black market robot modifier, Jacq's investigation deeper into the criminal underworld of the city turns up some shady revelations that go further up the food chain. When the only witnesses to what is actually going on start disappearing, Jacq winds up exiled from the city, with the blame for the modifications landing squarely on his shoulders. And with ROC and Officer Wallace chasing him down, he's forced to accept some hard truths and rely on the Pilgrims for help.

Automata is certainly not the first film to examine the possibilities of rogue robots, but it's one of the first that I can recall that doesn't examine the robots as a threat to humankind. Unfortunately, when you take the danger element out of these pictures, there has to be a pretty compelling story in its place, or you end up with boredom. This is definitely the major weakness in the film; despite a number of things going for it, the storyline is just not that interesting. It feels too long, overall, and the scenes where things actually do happen are few and far between, padded with overlong sequences such as Jacq's journey into the desert. Other scenes that are more interesting are broken up by focusing on robots staring blankly during confrontations....which, if the actors were human might've been a bit more effective with terse facial expressions and such...and any credit given for some of the humanity of the mechanized cast members gets somewhat dulled by the appearance of a cute animal robot who makes cute robot animal noises.

Ultimately, the cons of this film are more of a disappointment because it gets so much right. Dylan McDermott is great in the little screen time he's given as the drug-addicted Wallace, and the always awesome Robert Forster is...well, as awesome as always. Banderas is wonderful as well, carrying the picture better than one would think possible, and there is a robot or two whose characteristics show the promise of how good Automata could have been. The bleakness of the future world presented and the effects are very effective as well, but the good is overshadowed by the not-so-good, making Automata a poor investment in viewing time.

Video/Audio/Extras:

Millennium brings Automata to blu-ray in a 2.35:1 transfer that presents the source material well. The ugliness of the world comes across as clear even during the dim interior scenes, and there's a good balance of the minimal colour palette with no artifacting.

The Dolby True HD 5.1 audio track is adequate, with no hisses or pops. Anyone worried about overuse of the surrounds and subs can carry on feeling safe, knowing that they are used sparingly. Dialogue is clear and consistent with good balance.

The Making of Automata (4:50) is a short featurette in which Banderas and Ibanez mumble something about the noire influence while clips of the film are shown. No, really, they're mumbling, and it's hard to understand what they're saying. McDermott also makes an appearance, not mumbling, and compares Ibanez to the surrealists Dali and Bunuel.

A Preview Reel for Millennium, including a trailer for Automata is also included.

The Final Word:

With such potential evident, it's difficult to dismiss Automata altogether, but it's that same potential that works against it.

Click on the images below for full sized Blu-ray screen caps!