Machina Ex Deus

Film Review # 47457

Film > Analysis, Criticism, Etc.

Machina Ex Deus

An analysis of the role of God in the science fiction films, "Blade Runner" and "Artificial Intelligence".

3,050 words () | 2 sources | MLA | 2002 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how robotics is now entering a phase where it's possible to create beings that are capable of learning and discerning for themselves. It looks at how film has broached this topic in different ways in recent years, first, in "Blade Runner", and then later on in the movie, "Artificial Intelligence". It discusses the premise that the creators in these movies don't appear to be making beings like themselves and how they appear to be making images of the human creator. It attempts to show that the characters of Tyrell Corp and Professor Hobby were not creating themselves as God, but rather were trying to create God Himself.

From the Paper:

"In the movie BR, the gargantuan corporation, Tyrell Corp, is responsible for the creation and maintenance of robots. They are lead by the genetic engineer Eldon Tyrell. These robots, replicants, are given four years to live, and limited emotional response. The reason for this is to be able to test and determine who is human and, who is replicant. In the creation of these replicants, Tyrell seeks to make them "More Human Than Human." In doing so he is seeking for a way to make replicants divine. He seeks to use the Voight-Kampff test used by the police to detect replicants to better modify them to his own needs."