The God Question (2014) User Reviews

Unsatisfying

[michael-87182 · 4/10 · 23 January 2020]

I initially thought this was an actual documentary where researchers had posed this question of an AI supercomputer. When I realized it was a fictional dramatization, I almost stopped watching then. After completing the whole movie, I wished I could have my 90 minutes back.

Big brother is watching and doesn't approve.

[suescatlady · 4/10 · 25 May 2021]

The concept was compelling. The movie wasn't. The focus was more on the paranoia involved rather than the science. Could have been so much better with more sprinkles of science.

Had potential, but fell flat

[messagebernard · 3/10 · 19 February 2021]

Interesting but not entirely original concept. The motives of the characters aren't well defined. The question the researcher poses is not the ideal question to ask AI, as one of the characters points out. It's unclear why anyone in the film even wants to ask this question or why it's so important to them. All of the tension and suspense leads to nothing. I almost expected a plot twist but knew it wasn't coming, and it did not. Almost nothing happens in the last half hour of the movie. Meh.

Shallow. poor and DUCKED THE QUESTION

[thetysofamily · 2/10 · 1 December 2018]

Watched this film not because i am religious as i am not but because I thought it would give a bit of philosophical perspective of religion. This film skirts around the God Question ...which is supposed to be the point of the film after all...then when it gets to the "climax " if you can call it that after 90mins of little story it basically says it is not a question to ask a computer...unbelievable!!!

90 minutes of waiting

[kimpeaceever · 1/10 · 20 October 2019]

Well, that's 90 minutes of my life I'll never get back... the acting was bad, the script was worse, and the ending was extremely aggravating. At the end my mother and I just looked at each other like what the hell, that's it? I've never been so disappointed with a movie. I made an account just in the hopes that people won't make the same mistake and waste 90 minutes of their life like I did. Sigh

More about AI than the question MAJOR SPOILER ALERT

[lopezpatricia-06139 · 2/10 · 15 October 2019]

Ready..........

It doesn't answer the question and shuts down. Every time I order to protect humanity from its conclusion. I suppose that in itself is interesting. Very irritating, the federal guy trying to shut it all down. Very badly acted and edited.

Unwatchable drivel

[gemzandor · 1/10 · 31 October 2015]

Finding this movie while surfing channels looking for anything to watch, I wasn't able to bear it through to the end. The so-called "scientists" from MIT (no less!) asking their supercomputer whether or not there is a god .... nothing about the characters speaks science or scientific inquiry, and the "character" of the computer is of a similar bent. It is abundantly clear from watching even a few minutes where this film is going, and unbearable to devote the time to wait until it gets there. If you are a religious person without any interest in scientific inquiry or principles, then you will likely find this movie appealing. On the other hand, if you respect science then you should avoid this like one of the 10 plagues.

Hohum

[sendjanthis · 5/10 · 24 August 2022]

I should have known there would be no ending. No mention of spirituality, spirit, and there is no way any super computer can answer that question.

So, you watch discussion, no answers to pretty much anything. Ok if you want to lazily watch a movie. Acting good, though lighting a little dark at times.

The end is the beginning.

Definitely Worth A Watch, IF

[caf-19 · 7/10 · 21 February 2022]

....You are smarter than IVAN the computer - and less temperamental too. I found this movie in the Faith & Inspirational section of Vudu. I guess the 'Ace Team' of Vudu concierge's figured if it had the word 'God' in the title, it belonged in that category. Actually it's more of a Sci-Fi movie. It's a plodding sort of suspense film made on a low budget. However, with all it has stacked against it, it's STILL quite good and particularly thought provoking regarding computer technology and a ponderous question posed to it - that most of us humans often wonder about. What is the question, and what is the answer? Patiently watch the movie to find out. I won't tell.

Also, to their credit, the main characters in the story did an admirable job even though their working material needed the love and attention of an experienced script writer.

If only this thought provoking show had a bigger budget and better script...

This is not that type of movie, like Forest Gump, that everyone pretty much enjoyed on some level. Not at all. But for those of us who have genuine concerns about where Man and Machine are going? It's good.

I could see this movie being shown in a lower level computer or philosophy class as an impetus for some deep discussions. 7 out of 10 stars, for its realistic depictions of bureaucratic computer labs and thought provoking scenarios.

loved it!

[Ladyliselle · 10/10 · 22 August 2014]

Recently, I saw the video, The Grand Budapest Hotel. I feel like I should have enjoyed it more than I did given the great reviews, brand-name cast, and significant production budget. I only mention this because pretty much the opposite holds true for The God Question; given the unknown cast, and micro production budget, I shouldn't have enjoyed it as much as I did -- especially after reading some of the negative reviews here. This movie approaches the concept of computer AI from angles I haven't seen elsewhere. It struck me as pretty original. The central plot serves as a device into which many other pertinent questions are woven. The storyline feels uncomplicated to a fault, but it wasn't until I started talking about the movie with my husband that I realized how many issues it actually tackled. Surely, more bells and whistles could have been added with a larger budget, but at least this film did not leave me scratching my head over giant holes in the plot, or frustrated by inaccurate portrayals of the science behind the story. This is an honest film.

Surprisingly Interesting

[gmaland-64672 · 9/10 · 25 September 2017]

I am a big fan of movies dealing with the ramifications of Artificial Intelligence. This movie is much more interesting and well-considered than you might think after the first 10 minutes, which almost made me switch to something else. But if you keep with it, you will be rewarded with a very original perspective on the AI issue. Another review suggested that religious people will like this movie. Without creating a spoiler, I will say I believe this fellow reviewer did not actually watch the film. I think this movie does a very good job of considering what options a super-intelligent AI actually has. How does it decide what say, what to do, and just as importantly, what NOT to say and do?

A Good Movie

[mandyvs-87214 · 8/10 · 6 July 2021]

A good movie that seeks to answer the questions of faith many Christians have today.

Give this movie a try

[Beka422 · 9/10 · 24 March 2019]

I watched this movie one day when I was bored, and the description was intriguing enough. Now I'm not a religious person, but any good person of science has had the question "what if" roll through their head a time or two. I will admit that some of the actors aren't superfantastic, but the right ones in here are good. And, while the topic is God, it's not one of those films that crams religion in your face. Big points from me on that. Definitely a good movie. Only 9 stars because I really want to know what Ivan thought (watch it to see what I mean).

AI Reality

[walt-22770 · 10/10 · 1 October 2020]

I haven't seen a movie that deals with massive computer technology like this since Colossus: The Forbin Project. This is what SyFy is supposed to be except this is all to close to our immediate future as in now. People do not understand that we have moved from deterministic algorithm based computers to non deterministic neural networks. The implications are huge and that is what this movie is about. How we deal with this as a civilization is a key challenge. The hidden theme is what does it mean to have an artificial neural network. Is it sentient, does it believe in God, is it alive? What does it mean when you turn off the power and all the connections it created as it learned are lost?

Clever, but not the best ending. Worth seeing.

[davebrown_boeray · 8/10 · 10 November 2018]

I don't want to give away spoilers, so I can't say much. It's worth it for AI fans. Interesting side conversations occur, hinting at the real dangers (someday in the far future) of giving a ASI (Artificial Super Intelligence) unfettered access to the web.

The movie is a bit slow at times but stick with it. It does skirt the issue of the fact that you can't ban the development of ASI successfully. It would just mean some other country would develop it. Better to build it right the first time since if you build it wrong you won't get a second chance. ASI will either make the Earth a paradise for humans or a living hell (or extinction level event). it's a long way off though. Rough estimate is 2060. Around 98% of AI scientists and programmers believe ASI is achievable someday.