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Transcendence

  • 2014
  • PG-13
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
243K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,536
65
Johnny Depp in Transcendence (2014)
Dr. Will Caster, the foremost researcher in the field of Artificial Intelligence, is working to create a sentient machine that combines the collective intelligence of everything ever known with the full range of human emotions. His highly controversial experiments have made him the prime target of anti-technology extremists who will do whatever it takes to stop him. In their attempt to destroy Will, they inadvertently become the catalyst for him to succeed. For his wife Evelyn and best friend Max Waters, both fellow researchers, the question is not if they can...but if they should. Their worst fears are realized as Will's thirst for knowledge evolves into a seemingly omnipresent quest for power, to what end is unknown. The only thing that is becoming terrifyingly clear is there may be no way to stop him.
Play trailer2:34
34 Videos
99+ Photos
Artificial IntelligenceDramaSci-FiThriller

A scientist's drive for artificial intelligence takes on dangerous implications when his own consciousness is uploaded into one such program.A scientist's drive for artificial intelligence takes on dangerous implications when his own consciousness is uploaded into one such program.A scientist's drive for artificial intelligence takes on dangerous implications when his own consciousness is uploaded into one such program.

  • Director
    • Wally Pfister
  • Writer
    • Jack Paglen
  • Stars
    • Johnny Depp
    • Rebecca Hall
    • Morgan Freeman
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    243K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,536
    65
    • Director
      • Wally Pfister
    • Writer
      • Jack Paglen
    • Stars
      • Johnny Depp
      • Rebecca Hall
      • Morgan Freeman
    • 610User reviews
    • 377Critic reviews
    • 42Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos34

    Trailer #2
    Trailer 2:34
    Trailer #2
    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:29
    Trailer #1
    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:29
    Trailer #1
    Transcendence
    Clip 0:50
    Transcendence
    Transcendence
    Clip 0:46
    Transcendence
    Transcendence: For 130 Thousand Years
    Clip 1:00
    Transcendence: For 130 Thousand Years
    Transcendence: Good Evening Donald Buchanan
    Clip 0:50
    Transcendence: Good Evening Donald Buchanan

    Photos361

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    Top cast95

    Edit
    Johnny Depp
    Johnny Depp
    • Will Caster
    Rebecca Hall
    Rebecca Hall
    • Evelyn Caster
    Morgan Freeman
    Morgan Freeman
    • Joseph Tagger
    Cillian Murphy
    Cillian Murphy
    • Agent Buchanan
    Paul Bettany
    Paul Bettany
    • Max Waters
    Kate Mara
    Kate Mara
    • Bree
    Cole Hauser
    Cole Hauser
    • Colonel Stevens
    Clifton Collins Jr.
    Clifton Collins Jr.
    • Martin
    Cory Hardrict
    Cory Hardrict
    • Joel Edmund
    Falk Hentschel
    Falk Hentschel
    • Bob
    Josh Stewart
    Josh Stewart
    • Paul
    Luce Rains
    Luce Rains
    • Roger
    Fernando Chien
    Fernando Chien
    • Heng
    Steven Liu
    • Chiu
    Xander Berkeley
    Xander Berkeley
    • Dr. Thomas Casey
    Lukas Haas
    Lukas Haas
    • James Thomas
    Wallace Langham
    Wallace Langham
    • Dr. Strauss
    James Burnett
    • Meth Head #1
    • Director
      • Wally Pfister
    • Writer
      • Jack Paglen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews610

    6.2243.1K
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    Featured reviews

    5trublu215

    This seems like wasted potential

    Transcendence, much like most of the latest sci-fi themed films to hit cinemas, is a wasted effort. It exhibits signature Pfister cinematography that we've come to love over the past decade. With Nolan's Batman trilogy and Inception, it was only a matter of time for Wally Pfister to take a stab at directing. Unfortunately, the only thing that seems well done in this film is the cinematography. The story, while seeming fresh and exciting on paper, devolves into a half baked idea with mediocre acting. Johnny Depp does the best he can while only being a mere voice during the latter half of the film. The rest of the cast seems wasted, this is especially true because we know how great Paul Bettany, Morgan Freeman and Rebecca Hall can be. Wally Pfister focuses more on capturing really fantastic shots but seems never truly devoted to the actual story. This comes as a major disappointment especially because of the hype that this film has been generating over the last year. When it boils down to it, Transcendence is just another exercise in style over substance, never matriculating to anything more than an average sci-fi thriller that has a criminally underused cast and phenomenal camera-work.
    Kirpianuscus

    an interesting idea

    ...and nothing more. this is the basic virtue and the fundamental sin of this good intentioned film. something missing, something becomes just an improvisation and the basic idea is sacrifide for good looking images, tricks with technology, mix of science and emotions and Jonny Depp reduced at his presence. and, after its end, the only good thing remains the idea of the first part. so, difficult to say a bad film, less for good intentions, and only a film like many others, ambitious as intentions, not brilliant as result.
    7bob-rutzel-1

    Something to think about

    Will Caster (Johnny Depp) is a scientist who strives for artificial intelligence that also exhibits human qualities. His detractors want to stop him, and he is shot by them and is infected with Polonium and will die soon due to radioactive poisoning. To save his consciousness Evelyn (Rebecca Hall), his wife and his friend Max (Paul Bettany) upload his consciousness into Will's artificial intelligence program. Max sees the dangers when Will makes himself known on a monitor. He doesn't believe it is actually Will. Evelyn, on the other hand, believes it is Will and wants to go forward.

    Hey, we all know this day may be coming and this movie may be a harbinger of that. But for now let's see where this takes us. Keep in mind, it's only a movie.

    We see the dangers of Will becoming godlike and controlling the world's internet. However all we actually see is Will doing good healing the earth and people. But, the opposing forces see this as too controlling and fear it could get out of hand and doom everyone including the earth itself. There is that but what is forgotten - in this movie - is the love Will has for Evelyn for whom Will does everything. He constantly cites Evelyn's dream to her. The problem is that later on Evelyn also sees the dangers of a too powerful Will. The ending proves this point.

    Some things were not brought into this scenario: no government including those worldwide, no religious groups demonstrating against Will and what he has become in their minds, and no worldwide denunciation by other nations. No, this stays with the small opposition group and the love story with Will doing everything he can to further Evelyn's dream although it may not be as evident as it could have been.

    There is some excellent CGI in the works. A good supporting cast of Paul Bettany as Max and Morgan Freeman as Joseph were under used, but still good in this context. Kate Mara as Bree, a leader of the opposition is the only one who is animated and urges the end of Will and what he has become.

    When a Johnny Depp character is on the screen or in a monitor on the screen, he is still a force to behold and performs in Oscar-worthy mode all the time. Kudos.

    This movie provides us with something to think about. How far will we allow technology to go?

    The pacing is slow, and we are never sure where this is leading us, but we are attentive and hope for the best. We like what Will is doing but we don't want him to become a god or godlike. How can he be stopped?

    Yes, now only a movie, but one day…………………(7/10)

    Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: No,Very brief soft stuff.
    psy99999

    A rational plot that is very realistic

    No irony in the above. The irrational and immensely stupid human reactions are more than realistic, and paint a bleak future while also explaining why we are stuck here today. People are scared of human evolution and advancement, and do their utmost to prevent them from happening. Think of religion or populistic yet unreasonable laws that are based on religion or similarly unfounded assumptions.

    This film is great, the possibilities outlined are very real, and those hurring it down have absolutely no knowledge of science and have no imagination as to what the future may realistically hold.

    I would expect that Transcendence will do better in countries where there is more critical thinking, such as Japan or most of Europe.
    6namashi_1

    Interesting!

    Directed by Ace Cinematographer Wally Pfister in his directorial debut, 'Transcendence' is an interesting watch! No, its not perfect, but it has a terrific concept & to an extent, it leaves an impression.

    'Transcendence' Synopsis: A scientist's drive for artificial intelligence, takes on dangerous implications when his consciousness is uploaded into one such program.

    'Transcendence' has a marvelous first-hour, with the drama unfolding most impressively. The second-hour loses steam. The narrative becomes abstract & the film overstays its welcome by at least 15-minutes. Also, the culmination is half-baked. The desired impact is missing.

    Jack Paglen's Screenplay is innovative & offers some truly well-written sequences, but the mostly low second-hour, plays a spoilsport. Wally Pfister's Direction is good. Cinematography is appropriate. Editing lacks sharpness. Art Design is super.

    Performance-Wise: Johnny Depp, despite limited screen time, leaves a mark. Rebecca Hall is excellent. Paul Bettany is very sincere. Kate Mara is natural. Cillian Murphy & Morgan Freeman are okay.

    On the whole, 'Transcendence' isn't amazing, but it holds some appeal nevertheless.

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Continuing his outspoken advocacy for the use of film stock over digital formats, cinematographer Wally Pfister not only chose to shoot the film in the anamorphic format on 35mm film instead of on a digital camera, but also finished the film photochemically, refusing to use a digital intermediate.
    • Goofs
      Will Caster is killed by the highly toxic radio-active element, Polonium (the same one used to murder Alexander Litvinenko in true-life in 2006). Despite its toxicity (scientists estimate that 1 gram could kill 50 million people), his wife and friends are allowed to remain with him in close proximity until his death. Whilst intact skin is actually a barrier to the passage of alpha radiation particles to a nearby person (so we could let them off this goof), we later see Caster's cremated ashes being tossed into the breeze above a river for all to breath in. These are hardly actions that any homeland security or radiation expert would conceivably have allowed to happen.
    • Quotes

      Will Caster: For 130,000 years, our capacity to reason has remained unchanged. The combined intellect of the neuroscientists, mathematicians and... hackers... in this auditoirum pales in comparison to the most basic A.I. Once online, a sentient machine will quickly overcome the limits of biology. And in a short time, its analytic power will become greater than the collective intelligence of every person born in the history of the world. So imagine such an entity with a full range of human emotion. Even self-awareness. Some scientists refer to this as "the Singularity." I call it "Transcendence."

    • Connections
      Featured in Half in the Bag: Transcendence and the Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
    • Soundtracks
      Genesis
      Written by Jorma Kaukonen

      Performed by Jorma Kaukonen

      Courtesy of RCA Records

      By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

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    FAQ22

    • How long is Transcendence?Powered by Alexa
    • What does the last garden scene represent?
    • How did Max upload virus in Evelyn? Did he have access to Nano Technology?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 18, 2014 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Warner Bros. (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Trascender
    • Filming locations
      • Belen, New Mexico, USA
    • Production companies
      • Alcon Entertainment
      • DMG Entertainment
      • Straight Up Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $100,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $23,022,309
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $10,886,386
      • Apr 20, 2014
    • Gross worldwide
      • $103,039,258
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • SDDS
      • Datasat
      • Dolby Digital
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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