Transcendence parents guide

Transcendence Parent Guide

Unfortunately, trying to wriggle a love story into the impassionate world of technology doesn't work and the movie's conclusion ends up being highly improbable, even for a sci-fi.

Overall B-

If you were facing imitate death, how would you preserve your legacy? A brilliant scientist (Johnny Depp), with only weeks to live, decides to download his mind into a computer. By doing so his consciousness transcends both body and machine.

Release date April 18, 2014

Violence C-
Sexual Content B-
Profanity B-
Substance Use B-

Why is Transcendence rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Transcendence PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence, some bloody images, brief strong language and sensuality.

Run Time: 119 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

The explosion of technology with its Internet social networking sites, surveillance capabilities and instantaneous access to information may be making the world smaller. But with that comes a niggling worry we’re on the brink of creating something we can’t control.

In the not-so-futuristic movie Transcendence, quantum computers and nanotechnology are changing the way people interface with electronic devices. Among the leaders of these new scientific advancements is Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp). He is on the verge of finding a way to upload the human brain and create an operating system that will transcend the present capabilities of man and machine.

However, not everyone agrees with his experiments. An anti-technology group knows as R.I.F.T. attempts to cripple his work, as well as similar efforts by others, through terrorist acts. In a carefully orchestrated attack, the organization kills or maims scientists in computer labs across the country. Then, following one of Will’s speaking engagement, an assailant shoots and wounds the doctor before turning the gun on himself. (These scenes contain explosions, poisonings and some bloody injuries, along with the shooting and suicide.) The assault leaves the learned man clinging to life. With Will’s death close at hand, his wife Evelyn (Rebecca Hall) begs him to let her and their friend Max (Paul Bettany) upload his consciousness before he dies.

If you’ve ever had trouble downloading a movie from an online source, you know this shouldn’t be as easy as this film makes it look. After screwing a few dozen cables onto Will’s bare head, Evelyn and Max simply sit back and watch thousands of lines of computer code scroll across the screen.

The first hint of trouble arises when the pixilated image of the doctor eventually appears on screen. Soon he begins demanding more operating system space and additional power—ultimately wanting to be uploaded to the Internet. Everyone but his wife seems to know this isn’t a good idea. Yet unlike the emotionless computer copy of her husband, she still has feelings and is willing to do almost anything for love.

During the first acts of the film, the script introduces a number of interesting scientific advancements that are under development right now. As in the movie, these will allow for all kinds of medical, financial and social evolutions—provided their use doesn’t get away from us. Transcendence raises the ethical questions of what might happen if they do. And the script is both engaging and thought provoking in that regard. Unfortunately trying to wriggle a love story into the impassionate world of technology doesn’t work and the movie’s conclusion ends up being highly improbable, even for a sci-fi.

Directed by Wally Pfister. Starring Johnny Depp, Kate Mara, Morgan Freeman, Rebecca Hall. Running time: 119 minutes. Theatrical release April 18, 2014. Updated

Transcendence
Rating & Content Info

Why is Transcendence rated PG-13? Transcendence is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sci-fi action and violence, some bloody images, brief strong language and sensuality.

Violence: Computers are rigged to blow up killing numerous people. Other characters are poisoned. A man shoots another character before committing suicide by turning the gun on himself. A character is punched, kicked and kidnapped. Characters shoot and destroy computer equipment. A man sustains bloody and life-threatening injuries after being beaten and robbed. Numerous characters are punched, kicked, shot at and fired upon with missile-like guns. Frequent bloody injuries are shown. Several characters die from their injuries.

Sexual Content: A married couple kisses on several occasions. They are also shown briefly engaging in sexual activity.

Language: The script includes a use of scatological slang and a handful of terms of deity.

Alcohol / Drug Use:Medical drugs are used to treat a patient. A woman drinks with dinner. A man drinks in a bar after being involved in an argument. Characters are injected with harmful substances or viruses.

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Transcendence Parents' Guide

A member of R.I.F.T. accuses Dr. Caster of creating his own god through technology. What drives the doctor to want to create an all-knowing intelligence? Is there danger in having intellect without emotion? What happens when the computer version of Will tries to empathize with Evelyn by analyzing the biological and chemical reactions in her body?

As his death approaches, Will says, “We fear what we don’t understand.” What does he fear about his death? Can the lack of understanding about technology or other scientific advancements make people leery of them? In this story, how does the ability to try new things get ahead of understanding their ethical consequence?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Transcendence movie is July 22, 2014. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Transcendence

Release Date: 22 July 2014

Transcendence releases to home video (Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy) with the following bonus features:

- What is Transcendence? - The concept of “transcendence” is discussed by cast and filmmakers as we look inside the film’s exploration of Artificial Intelligence and the Singularity.

- Wally Pfister: A Singular Vision - Step inside the creative process of director Wally Pfister to see how he juggles the dazzling, technologically advanced visuals along with guiding the cast through their intense character arcs.

- Guarding the Threat - Join the debate on the benefits and dangers of “transcendence.”

- The Promise of A.I. - Learn about the amazing potential of A.I. from scientists and the filmmakers.

- Viral Videos - “It’s Me,” “Singularity” and “R.I.F.T.”

- Trailers

Related home video titles:

Machines take on a life of their own in the movies: I, Robot, Bicentennial Man and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

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