Chapter thirty-nine: A.I. Artificial Intelligence

Hello, happy thirty-ninth Sunday! So, what's new this week?

Well, I feel like it's just worth mentioning to start that since today is November 22nd, remember the Kennedys. Not necessarily for John's death, but rather for the class, charisma, and futuristic character they demonstrated while alive.

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In other (personal) news, schools, at least in my area, are going back to all-virtual on Monday, November 30th, which at this point was expected, so at least we no longer have to play the waiting game. I actually don't mind the virtual, because I feel like I have more to work on personal projects like this, due to the fact that teachers are assigning less and more lenient with the grading process. Maybe that's just me though, because I do have friends who are struggling in school now more than ever. Speaking of virtual, online, electronic education, this week's movie is A.I. Artificial Intelligence, which I would describe as a modern-day twist of the Disney classic, Pinocchio (directed by Stephen Spielberg.)

The story is about a boy named David, (Haley Joel Osmet) only, he's not a real boy. He's a robotic prototype child for a couple, Monica and Henry, who are still grieving the fact that their biological son, Martian (Jake Thomas,) is in a coma he is not likely to recover from. David is actually a new type of robot; the most humanic one to date. Hr acts as the couple's supplement child I suppose you would say. He is programmed to function like a real boy mentally and physically, but not emotionally. (He doesn't establish parental relationships until the phrase, "I love you, David." is said.) Moreso, David does not need warmth, nor to eat or sleep. Throughout the whole movie, he's very low-maintenance and well-behaved all around (as robots often are.)

At this point, Monica grows a fascination with David because he just looks so really. She says David's code words, which activate his ability to love other people. It, therefore, makes him a member of their family and he is attached to Monica. Simultaneously, Martin has made a miraculous recovery. David and Henry, well it's not that they don't get along, but it's close to that. Henry tests David's abilities with outlandish dares, and David who was programmed to love and follow orders of his loved ones, fulfills them. Monica and Henry see David's change in behavior and begin to think that he poses a threat.

This leads the family to disband David, though Monica can not bring herself to take him back to the factory he came from beIt's a cold scene, and the first time I watched it, my jaw dropped. But, you have to remember that David will not die. He's instead free to roam with the other misfit robots amongst society (they're called Mechas.) But, during a full moon, David and his robotic companion teddy bear, Teddy, are captured and taken to the circus with a collection of other Mechas where they will be used as props for acts and the entertainment of others.

It's here that David meets a fellow Mecha, Joe (Jude Law.) Luckily, David's originality and ability to imitate human emotions so perfectly keeps him and Joe out of trouble at the circus, and they are given time to escape their deathly fate.

Now, the three mechas (Teddy included) embark on a journey. David is steadfast on becoming a real boy. He's been inspired by the time Monica read him Pinocchio, and he thinks The Blue Fairy (Meryl) may be able to help him, as she helped Pinocchio. Joe takes David to see a wizard who may have the Blue Fairy's location. Much to his luck, The Blue Fairy can be found at "the end of the world where the lions weep." (Manhattan.)

The next forty minutes of the movie detail David's venture of finding himself until he reaches Manhattan. Arguably, his biggest revelation comes realizes that he is not the robot named David, which only strengthens his urge to become real. Then, his quest comes to a close when underwater, David find's Geppetto's workshop and his eyes meet a statue of The Blue Fairy. He worships it, asking repeatedly,

"Please Blue Fairy, make me into a real boy."

David's"body" is recovered from a frozen state some thousand years later long after the extinction of the human species. He is now treated like an important resource to the "aliens" that walk the earth. They read his mind, simulate his home, and give him the presence of the Blue Fairy who says she cannot make him into a real boy, but that she can bring Monica back into David's life for the next twenty-four hours. The wish is granted to him, and the next day of David's life is the happiest.

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I think this movie is a wonderful portrayal of self-discovery. Robots can replace a lot of things, but connection is not one of them.

As always, thank you for the entertainment, Meryl.