Film Preview: Transcendence (2014)

Poster

Additional posters can be found below.

Trailer Link

Release Date:

April 17, 2014

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “Two leading computer scientists work toward their goal of Technological Singularity, as a radical anti-technology organization fights to prevent them from creating a world where computers can transcend the abilities of the human brain”

Poster: C / B- / B / D (3)

Review: (#1-#3) The first poster is also the least interesting. Attempting to sell the film on Johnny Depp’s visage, the film tries very hard to convince the viewer that Depp is being pixelized and thus injected into a computer, but it’s a ham-fisted attempt to tie a self-promoting design into the narrative. The second two designs are much better at creating a fascinating exploration of theme. These have no visual recognition between film and star, which might hurt the marketing a tad, but science fiction doesn’t have to have big names to sell. The third design, may be set for foreign distribution, but it adds some interesting border elements that make the overall design a bit more creative.

(#4-#6) The three newest posters all look like they might be in-period warning posters designed to caution the public against accepting artificial intelligence. That might give them relevance since they don’t have visual creativity to help them out.

Trailer: B / B-

Review: I’ve been over the Johnny Depp fad for some time now, but even with him in it, this film looks very interesting. An examination of artificial intelligence and its potential uses at counterpoint with a fearful populace and those who don’t want human life to be diminished by machines. The concept is too fascinating, though the trailer suggests the film devolves into thriller territory, which might reduce some of its impact.

(#2) I think perhaps that the second trailer gives away a key twist at the film’s conclusion (or perhaps beforehand) of which the producers may not be entirely aware, or may just not care. This trailer turns a fascinating concept it an action thriller that lacks the scope of traditional sci-fi work.