Morgan, 2016.
Directed by Luke Scott.
Starring Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rose Leslie, Michael Yare, Toby Jones, Michelle Yeoh, Brian Cox and Paul Giamatti.
SYNOPSIS:
A corporate risk management consultant must decide whether or not to terminate an artificially created humanoid being.
Questions over whether humans should mess with AI, genetics and so on, has littered our screens for decades. In his feature film debut Luke Scott (son of Ridley) delivers a solid but by the numbers thriller. After violently attacking one of her “friends” human/AI hybrid Morgan (Taylor-Joy) is considered a threat to the corporation that owns her (headed up by a typically shady Brian Cox). Enter risk management consultant Lee Weathers (Mara) who sets about examining the scientists that surround Morgan. The isolated scientists and their behaviour towards Morgan makes for an interesting microcosm of humanity. Their love for their creation Morgan is understandable and the family dynamics as they try to protect her are the highlight of the film. The plot unfortunately shifts into stereotypical violence and shock factor than investigating the subtler points of humanity and creation.
Performances throughout are strong, particularly from Anya Taylor-Joy as the titular Morgan. After her phenomenal performance in The Witch, she gives a depth and range of emotion to Morgan that’s captivating and intriguing. The lines between AI and humanity are blurred completely and although at times some of her dialogue sounds like a stroppy teenager, all in all this is a solid performance from a tremendous young actress. The rest of the characters aren’t developed as much but the performances are strong. Kate Mara as the icy and aloof Lee Weathers is a strong leading presence that drives the film forward. Paul Giamatti appears all too briefly as psychiatrist Dr Shapiro. His scene analysing Morgan’s mental state is riveting but over too quickly.
Luke Scott proves himself to be a capable director for the most part. His visual flair is evident throughout and one particular scene involving reflections hints at the more sinister plot beneath. He does struggle slightly in the final act when action takes over. There’s a lot of choppy editing that’s a tad discombobulating and feels slightly out of place given the tone of the first half of the film. Still it’s a solid debut effort.
Whilst not revealing any spoilers here, the ending of Morgan is quite obvious after the first ten minutes. Not altogether rewarding, it’s still slightly disturbing and ambiguous which is what I like. With Morgan, screenwriter Seth W. Owen hasn’t reinvented the wheel but he has created an entertaining sci-fi thriller.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Helen Murdoch
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https://youtu.be/b7Ozs5mj5ao?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
Originally published September 4, 2016. Updated April 16, 2018.
