Automata

Ein harmloser Science-Fiction-Film, der liebe Roboter und Blade Runner mag. Ihm reicht der Stoff, mit dem ein echter Knaller erst starten würde. Die Glatze, der Agenten-Mantel mit Schlips und kontaminierte postapokalyptische Wüsten passen zu Banderas. (31.10.2020)

Initially I wondered what about this film could be Bulgarian. After seeing it I realized that such scenes of a post-communist concrete world appropriate for a post-apocalyptic sci-fi would be hard to find in any other country. It is filmed in an interesting, brave and innovative way. The world of 2044 is really believable. However, the storyline is worse, as at times you have no idea what is actually happening. You only know that it has something to do with robots and you are drowning in scenes which at times have no clear connections. Over time the premise sets in and even though the second half is a bit more boring, the ending balances that out with a decent shoot off. Sci-fi in general is a difficult genre to film and a well-filmed flick is worth some respect. This film is one of those. (09.01.2018)

The Spaniards delivered great entertainment for 109 minutes. It's a Spanish version of I, Robot. I really enjoy films dealing with artificial intelligence, especially when they make me think, so the film isn’t just action-based but rather thoughtful and explores existential questions about whether AI can think like a human or even be smarter. If I hadn’t known that Antonio Banderas was in it, I might not have recognized him at all, and I can say he gave a truly brilliant performance in his role. The film may not boast a miraculous budget, and you can tell right away, but it has an excellent concept with even better execution. Listening to such good music convinced me that this film deserves 80%. (03.09.2016)

A visually impressive sci-fi in Philip K. Dick style, crossed with Asimov. A slightly jerky storyline about an insurance agent who unwittingly comes up against a case of unavoidable evolution of species essentially doesn’t offer anything new, but it’s the crudeness of the movie that grabs the attention. Banderas plays very well, but it’s evidently against the grain for him. An atmosphere somewhere between Blade Runner and Elyse and I would welcome hearing other tales coming from this gloomy, radioactive future. Maybe I’m overrating it a little, but really only a little. P.S.: Great opening credits in Socialist realism style. (02.11.2014)

More sci-fi drama than thriller, no suspense or atmosphere came to me. Antonio Banderas is bland here, the theme of robots is so uninteresting and tedious that you'd rather be playing a game of Tic-Tac-Toe. I don't recommend the film, it's slow and uninteresting as hell, which I can't explain coming from such an attractive French-Spanish co-production. (26.10.2014)