Movie Reviews

There is a Cold War going on between China and the West in this British sci-fi flick and it has resulted in the deepest recession in history. In other words, shit is looking bleak. Governments are pouring money into a new arms race, trying to create the perfect weapon by turning wounded soldiers into killing machines. Kinda like Universal Soldier but without Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Computer scientist Vincent (Toby Stephens) is one of the men trying to create that perfect weapon with the help of Ava (Caity Lotz). When the two of them are assaulted, Ava ends up dead. Vincent then proceeds by scanning her consciousness into ‘The Machine’. However, the human emotions Vincent wants to nurture in this being are not what his superior Thomson (Denis Lawson) is looking for. He just wants a ruthless killing machine.

As the relationship between Vincent, the human formerly known as Ava and Thomson becomes more muddled by the minute, there is also the threat of an uprising by other brain-implanted soldiers. And as if all that isn’t enough yet, Vincent also has to tend to his daughter, who’s suffering from an illness.

All of these different themes are touched upon but never feel fully fleshed out. This results in a constant shifting between more serious, intelligent content and fairly standard shootouts. Add a limited budget and you’re looking at a movie that is trying to be a cross between Blade Runner, Her and well, Universal Soldier.