Transcendence

   To begin, it's almost refreshing to see Johnny Depp play a more straight role instead of the usual "Jack Sparrow"-ish characters that he's portrayed over the last decade.
   Depp plays Will Caster, a scientist working on developing the first major AI system.  Plans go awry when a terrorist group kill many of the major scientist in that field.  Their attack leaves Caster to a slow death.  His wife, in a desperate attempt, transfers Caster's consciousness into the AI system he was working on.  The result is a new sentient being that leaves the question on who or what it really is.
   The scope of the film is actually larger than what the trailers would have you believe.  The stakes are raised high early in the film, and it leaves you guessing how we get to the end result.
   The biggest problem with the film is the writers weren't sure how they got to the end result either.  It's a little choppy with the film eventually just going through the motions to see it to its end instead of letting the characters organically arrive at their conclusion.
   Regardless, it's a wonderful cast.  (If you're wondering how the movie got such a cast, just look at the producer credits.  You'll notice a certain Mr. Nolan.  Then it all makes sense).  The movie is nothing new or special, but it is enjoyable.

3/5 stars