Cinema has always been known, first, for its fine drama. The dumbing down of Hollywood movies is especially apparent now that I see all these people that can't stand A.I. I'm sorry for you. I really am.

I am astounded at the stupidity of the moviegoers who complained about the dark tone of A.I., since they expected Steven SPielberg to give 'em what they want: fluff. If you want manipulative fluff, watch Spielberg's alumni Chris Columbus' Bicentennial Man. A.I. asks philosophical questions and unflinchingly shows the beast of human nature. The beast of human nature have existed for thousands of years - moral conflict, hypocrisy, war, violence, persecution, atrocity and hatred - and will never cease to go away. This is from an unique Kubrickian perspective. The reason the moviegoers hate A.I. is because the movie DARED to challenge their conscience and mind. It once again proves that the majority of human beings will never open up to the philosophy of human nature in perception of advanced technology we take and use and abuse for granted, and they stay repressive and close-minded. Had Stanley Kubrick lived longer and directed A.I. from his script co-written with Ian Watson, A.I. would easily be his last and quite possibly the best masterpiece that will be marveled and ceaselessly debated upon for decades, like 2001: A Space Odyssey. A.I. is in my opinion the best film of 2001 and Spielberg's best film since 1977's Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

What the crap is this movie about? I am not an idiot just because "I don't understand the plot". This movie has no moral to learn from nor any entertainment value. I can't bleive how horrible this movie was. My friends who went a different time then me walked out before it was over. What was the end with aliens and magical powers? Where did this come from? Do not watch this movie it is a complete waste of time.

Artificial? Yes. Intelligence? No.

No other film released this year has managed to be this philosophical or engrossing. I believe that this film is a masterpiece and that it will in time become a classic. Haley Joel Osment's performance as the Mecha Child, David, hit all of the right notes and at times I received a great deal of goosebumps as I noticed that he literally became this character. I kept thinking that he really was made of wire and steel. And, the visual effects from ILM were envelope-pushing and magnificient. John Williams' score helps to convey the soulless cruelty that David endures on his wide-eyed quest to find a Blue Fairy that doesn't exist. My heart shattered and wept for David, and as I watched the depiction of this malevolent future, it provoked thoughts of what love is and how much we take our loved ones for granted; and it also raised some serious questions involving how far we as a society should allow ourselves to go in the advancement of technology. This is a film that I pray will be noticed on DVD, as it has been sadly overlooked in theaters. It is a Sci-Fi lover's dream, and a testiment to the genius of Steven Spielberg and Stanley Kubrick. One of the best films either of them has ever made.

What a piece of junk!!! I can't believe Spielberg would attach his name to it. The only thing that makes me glad is that I only lost $1.50 at the cheap flicks instead of $7.I did end up wasting my time on a movie so incredibly inane and pointless. Was it really only 2 1/2 hours? Seemed like 10, should have followed the urge to leave after the first hour.

What is the point of this movie? ...For Spielberg to laugh at the audience and to toy with your emotions. You will be glancing down at your watch through the second part of the movie which was entirely different from the first part of the movie. Spielberg will toy with your emotions and then leave you empty handed in the end. You will leave this movie with a dark, confused feeling. You can learn a moral from a movie that is sad but this movie is pointless and has absolutely no moral to be learned. Why should I ever trust Spielberg again? I should have kissed him off when he had explicit nudity and sex in Schinler's list (he could have alluded to it and still made the point) and then encouraged all YOUNG and old to see it for history's sake. Spielberg is a wolf in sheeps clothing, enough said.

This movie was the worst movie that i have seen in a long time... the movie felt like it was 5 hours long.. i thought the movie was over when he had foung the "blue" fairy but it kept going making the movie slide from 2 stars to a real turkey. the movie lact plot and the only person that added real comedy or acting was jude law and even that was short lived.

Yawn...if it weren't for that babe Jude Law and the special effects of the year 4000, I think I would have left having bad dreams of being stalked by a robot-boy.

I feel that there is a difference between movies like "A.I. Artificial Intelligence," and your average slasher or teenage sex comedy. If you really want an example of soullessness, refer to films like "Child's Play" where for no other reason than to entertain gore-festering audiences, a child's doll runs around cutting down people in gruesome fashion. Then refer to films like "A Nightmare On Elm Street" where a madman only appears in dreams to kill young teens. I mean, if you really want to know what soullessness is, then look to films that flaunt violence and sex around as if it was something to be glamourized. In "A.I." what I saw was not a condoning of casual sex or even violent crime. What I saw was a horrifying depiction of how wrong the world could turn. It is very possible that things that happened in this movie, could very well happen to us in the future. The world is not a pleasant place. True, why should we go see films only to depress ourselves, well, there's a reason. It's prophetic. Why do any of us read about what happened to historical figures. We do so because it teaches us about human nature, and it also teaches us to be stronger in our convictions to stand against tyrannical forces and uphold our beliefs. This is why we have films like "A.I." "Schindler's List" and "Saving Private Ryan." Not to titilate a viewer, but to aware the viewer of what could happen again, or what could happen in the future if we are not careful. These are cautionary tales. Who required the artist to only produce uplifting works of fiction. A steady diet of uplifting fluff is just as dangerous as a steady diet of depressing grimness, gratuitous sex and violence, the glamourizing of criminal acts, and suggestive lyrics and advertisments. We can't run away from the real world, what we need is something that will confront us with it, and then cause us to courageous take action to prevent what we see from happening.

a very shallow treatment of an over done subject.

You people really scare me.

I have problems giving "stars" to a movie which I feel was not meant to entertain. This movie has the ability to promote VERY deep thought about questions of epistomology and metaphysics. It forces the mind to deal with questions of what is love? What is Being? What constitutes life? Does life, if we can objectively define it, have any intrinsic value? and many other questions. However, I must concede that the average person would probably not get this out of it. I dont mean that as a cutdown or anything; its just that most people dont hurt their brain with "mental sludge" like a few do. this movie is not Nietzsche, Heidegger, or Satre and its anything but Plato - yet, it has its place and makes the enquiring mind think "Hum". consider the questions it presents, chew on them and spit them out and go enjoy the rest of your day.

The way this movie tried to make the point made the point. It had no soul, just like the robots had no soul and the people who hated them. Even the mom had no soul. The whole atmosphere was soullessness, which, I suppose was brilliant, but I crave the light. This movie was just too dark for me.

I don't want to insult anyones intelligence the way this film insulted mine. If you want to pretend to be a deep thinker and spout off about how wonderful this film was then be my guest. I've got a rubber raft business I'd like to sell you, perhaps you can turn a profit when the ice caps melt. If, on the other hand, you want to be a smart movie consumer wait for this film to be released on video (and then wait a bit longer for it to drop to .99 cents !) Sorry eggheads, this movie sucked!

Horrible. This movie was disgusting, no good acting performances, no profound thoughts, and don't believe people who tell you it's "deep".

Good enough fare for a movie, but I felt the end should have happened 30 minutes before it did. What a powerful message of unfulfilled hope and longing it would have been to close with David awaiting the Blue Fairy to grant his wish, waiting for all eternity. As for intellectual propensity, it wasn't there. I thought Pinnochio did a better job, and as for deep and thought provoking, GATACA was much much better. Still, I don't consider my money wasted, and true to form Speilberg played his trump by pulling my emotions in six different direction in as many minutes. Speilberg plays our heartstrings like a virtuoso, and this movie was no different. To my mind it just never quite reached critical mass, and I'll reiterate that the movie would have been 10 times better if it had ended with David before the Blue Fairy, asking to be a real boy. Those who have seen the movie will know what I mean. Jon

What is everyone smoking who gives this more than one star??? This movie was annoying and offensive. Underlying themes & meanings? Who cares!!! I wouldn't even recommend this to be seen when it comes out on video. Don't waste your time or money. I want my money back!!!

I'm just wondering if anyone caught the underlying messages in this film. I wonder if they really understood why all of that content was in there. This film was never meant to simply entertain. In fact, if you refer to all of Kubrick's other stuff, these films were meant to show you how cruel the real world can be, and it was basically a sort of wake-up call. The dodging out of films of this magnitude by calling them sick and offensive, is just missing the mark by miles. They offend you to aware you. Just imagine if "Schindler's List," and "Saving Private Ryan" had been excised of their graphic content. It would have lacked the haunting effect that they had on people. These kinds of films are meant to aware us. And, it doesn't have to be based on a historical event. Think of this film along the lines of the novel "Fahrenheit 451," and I think you'll get the right idea. That was a fairly depressing view of the future, but when I read it, it left a haunting image of how wrong things could turn if I took certain freedoms for granted. I admire films and novels along these lines. They inform you, and make you think; they are not for children, and they are not meant to just watch, read and then forget about them. They do not want you to ignore their message, and they get as gritty and realistic as possible.

Disturbing, enthralling quest to find love and acceptance. This little boy is an amazing actor. A relief to experience REAL science fiction in a visual form, which tickles the imagination and holds your hand as you leave the theater. Not for young children, because of the abandonment story line.

A MASTERPIECE. Beautifully crafted piece of art asking very important questions, and allowing the audience to come to its own conclusions. Much of it is open to interpretation, like Kubrick's other masterpiece "2001". The form of the movie is somewhat similar - with the main character (also named David) on his own odyssey. There are some weaknesses - the last 10 or so minutes were stereotypical Spielberg Schmaltz...the film could have ended even 30 minutes before that. Daring. Challenging. Courageous. Innovative. These are just a few words that I can think of to describe one of the most important films in recent memory. And for those of you who thought it was boring or hard to follow - I'm sure "Dude Where's My Car 2" will be out someday for you.

What a pathetic story! I give it one star because the acting and special effects are great, but I got more out of the fairly tale Pinnocio than this story. Was I supposed to get something "deep" out of this movie? Stretch as you might, it isn't there. Was I supposed to be entertained? If it had been on TV I would have changed the channel. Haley Joel Osment is a robot boy who has been programmed to love, which is different from the earlier generation robots that were programmed to serve as nannies, lovers, or teddy bears. So the hideous humans have a disgraceful way of disposing of these poor robots once they have lost their use; they gather in an arena like a cross between Crash Derby and World Wide Wrestling, scream and holler as each robot is dispatched in some gruesome or weird way. People in our day and age who have had computer freeze ups, have lost hours or days of work by a crash, or have seen prices plunge just as soon as a large computer purchase is made, would be on the front row to cheer the destruction. One more thing. The movie is over, and then we spend another 20 minutes with a whole new civilization of space creatures? Someone told me that Speilburg thought Kubric's movie had an ending that was too depressing, so he had to write his own depressing ending. I'm depressed that I spent eight bucks on a ticket.

Jeff Vice states that ""A.I." may frustrate impatient viewers more accustomed to quick payoffs". I have to ask, what payoff? I saw the film in Alaska on Sunday while killing time waiting to catch a red-eye flight home. It's my feeling that God was punishing me for going to a movie on the sabbath. I came out wishing that I had just gone to the airport to wait for the plane. Without a doubt, the worst film I've ever endured.

This film is for intelligent and open minded viewers. That is why the other 2 reviewers before me did not comprehend. Go see this excellent and thought provoking film.

This is the worst movie I've seen in 5 years. It tries so hard to be deep and thought provoking, and it's just SO absolutely dumb. Please do not waste your 3 hours and 7 dollars on this garbage.

I loved the idea of this movie, but the transitions were rough and that is probably what made the film seem far too long. The first third is engaging. The middle third is a confusing switch of pace and style that is quite off- putting. The final third is narrated in a manner that is so out-of- synch with the other two thirds that I wanted to leave, but I also wanted to know what happened to David. The whole thing is very Pinnochio-ish, right down to the way I kept wishing Pinnochio would hurry up and end. I have no problem with long films and deep ones are where I tend to go. I would rather watch something long and meaningful than quick action-flicks any time. But this one dragged. However, the performances were great. I loved Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law and Dr. Know as well as Teddy, the Jiminy Cricket counterpart.

First, I am offended by the high-minded attitude Jeff Vice takes that AI "might be a tad too intelligent for mass consumption." This is tantamount to stating if we don't understand or like the movie we are stupid. Mass consumption is what this movie is aimed at. It is not aimed at a few elitist movie reviewers. On exiting the movie I did not hear one positive comment, not one. I did hear, "I can never recommend this movie to anyone" and other grumblings. This movie is a nothing movie. My daughter (19) who saw it separately agreed and even stated she?d rather see ?Battlefield Earth? again. We both thought that was a lousy movie and the early front-runner for worst movie of the year. The special effects don?t save this movie. In too many places, they are the movie. The destruction of the robots was a throwback to the Road Warrior mentality. I think you need to take a closer look at the product and not the producer (Director) before you swoon over a movie and lavish it with praise. Obviously the Spielberg name influenced this review. Siegfried Jachmann

This movie has stunning visual effects and excellent acting but there is way too much Kubrick and not enough Spielberg, unless the latter has decided that he should have E.T. die at the end of that movie. This show should be rated R for horrible and cruel violence. Apparently Spielberg was able to muscle the raters. Definitely not for kids.

Actually, the stars should be 3 1/2. I just think that this movie is not what people are expecting. I think it's a little to heavy for the summer time, when people are used to explosions, animation, and other stuff. I found nothing SICKENING in this movie. I found it insightful, and intellegent. Obviously, too intellegent for some (see above reviews)

I am glad i went to the matinee because I feel I only got cheated out of two dollars. If this movie had any name but Steven Spielburg on it, then it would be just another turkey. The guy next to me was telling Teddy Rukspin jokes. I wanted to leave about half an hour before it ended.

This was hard for me to watch. I agree with other reviewers this is definately not a movie for children. If you are looking for entertainment, this is not the show. It is a statement piece on many different topics. People who analyze movies for the technical aspects only may enjoy this, but it just isn't any fun. I could not manufacture good feelings about it. It is dark and it is at times very mean. The science fiction part of the movie is not that interesting, the story line is very convoluted. Do not go thinking that surely Speiberg could never let you down...this is not the same offering he has made in the past.

I was really looking forward to seeing this movie. However, I was very dissapointed. I was expecting a Spielberg quality movie but didn't get it. Instead is was a blending of Spielberg and Kubrick with emphasis on Kubrick in the first and middle sections of the movie. I have to be honest. I, and my family, walked out of the movie when the middle section came on and the movie took a trip to the dark side of depravity. The first third of the movie was intriguing and mentally challenging as it dealt with some interesting topics such as love, immortality, and discrimination. The story line certainly could have developed well without it's trip to "Sin City". A movie can be truly intellectual without being immoral. A combination most of hollywood, and suprisingly Spielberg, doesn't recognize at all or at least some. I don't know how it ended. I would guess there was some kind of resolution with possibly some heartwarming moments. If the middle section hadn't offended me so much I would have stayed to find out. I also add that my review of the movie is not exclusive to me. The ages of my family that attended are from 14 to 49. And we all walked out for the same reason.

boring disapointing get tired of hearing the robot saying i want to be a real boy. do not waste your money, some good effects but that is all.

I never saw this and had a real desire to. that is until I saw how much dirt and filth is in it like all the other movies out there. you know it is real sickening.. many of us can't even see movies because of the trash inside all of them.. just sad.

I hated this movie. DO NOT TAKE THE KIDS!! It starts out good but then turns very dark and distrubing. It never recovers in its attempt to have a feel good ending. Special effects were the only good part of the movie but did not salvage the story.