Shoot Me Reviews
WARNING! Spoilers for AI (2001), and a look at how the ending serves the story’s themes in a way that would be incomplete otherwise.
NOTE: This video has been abridged to comply with WB copyright claims and materials from the movie are presented under Fair Use laws.
Disclaimers: I am not a film scholar and am presenting only my own observations, for what they’re worth. While I hope some may find my insights interesting, I do not claim they are definitive or exhaustive.
LINKS to previous videos:
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO2H7VsHvlI&feature=youtu.be
The Lobster (2015): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ-Z4_zxl9M&feature=youtu.be
Audition (1999): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7ndLfB13KI&feature=youtu.be
Color Out of Space (2019): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPv4X2UUqiA&feature=youtu.be
Mandy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjr9aPYLpSw&feature=youtu.be
The Lighthouse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ntxYjgtIiA&feature=youtu.be
The Witch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbcyQf4MDOY&feature=youtu.be
Under the Skin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4VTlJp3Egk&feature=youtu.be
Blue Ruin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCB4lexvLJg&feature=youtu.be
Midsommar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgYNT9iaMz0&feature=youtu.be
Suspiria (2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW_C3_jsy1U&feature=youtu.be
Psycho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67NGUSgD8Ps&t=11s
“M”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT0XCcld-8w&feature=youtu.be
Strangers on a Train: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyyZrSLwjCA&feature=youtu.be
Check out my movie reviews on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/ShootMeReviews/films/reviews/
This is intended for viewers who are familiar with the film, but if spoilers are not a deterrent, it is not necessary to have seen the movie to follow this video.
All clips taken from AI (20101). This video was made for the purpose of film appreciation/criticism and I believe these contents fall under fair use IP laws.
Source
5:35 – I love how psychotically gleeful David looks to find his mother dead. lol
It's been so long since I saw AI all I remember is not being particularly impressed. You make a compelling case about that weird ending though, I must admit. Keep up the good work!
Great summary. I like your string focus on the theme. It’s been a very a very long time since I’d watched AI (prob 15 years or so) and I seem to have completely forgotten that last act. In my mind it had ended with that underwater scene. But I guess that might also be because it leaves a strong imprint on the mind. You do make a very eloquent argument for the actual ending. Would be interesting to rewatch again 🙂
Why is it that humans must perish in order for AI to live? After all, God is alive and so are the humans.
I love this film
This was an excellent insight. I would like to add that there are many layers to this film, which makes it all that more worthwhile. It may suffer in certain areas, but the overall messages it portrays are quite visceral.
The relationship between David and Teddy is also an interesting one. I believe that David represents fatalism, as his worldview is constrained by his programmed parameters. Throughout the film, we see time and time again how certain subjective experiences should change David's preconceived notions (i.e., humanity as showing selfishness, egoism, etc.), yet he does not pick up on these experiences, and continues with his programming to desire a love that will never be reciprocated.
Teddy, on the other hand, consistently demonstrates sentience, and an ability to feel. What is particularly interesting is when Teddy falls shortly after they're captured in the second act, and says, "oww." Was he programmed to respond this way, or is he able to feel? Teddy demonstrates an ability to adjust his perspectives based on new information. He was programmed to be a super-toy for Martin, but he rejects him, and chooses David instead. This alone shows us that Teddy is able to make active decisions for himself. Teddy, as a symbol of free-will, stands in stark contrast with David, for his ability to understand and process what is going on around him. He is trauma bonded with David through their betrayals from their masters–one from Martin, the other from Monica. He understands that David's shortcomings come at no fault of his own, and despite David's inability to see through what is happening, sticks through with him. Teddy is selfless, altruistic, and arguably acts with moral intentions. He is more human than any of the humans.
David, in his quest for humanity, finally gets his wish, and in doing so, fulfills humanities ills. David has finally fulfilled the conditions of humanity, with all of its cruel foibles. David has chosen the ephemeral and transient (appeal to the physical), as opposed to the real and eternal (spiritual and moral). And this is where the scene strikes a profound melancholic and somber tone. As David falls asleep in placation next to something that isn't real, we see Teddy, the true face of humanity, staring at him, synthesizing his betrayal.