Long-time cinematographer Wally Pfister (Christopher Nolan partner from Memento through The Dark Knight Rises, The Italian Job and Moneyball) takes the helm for the first time with Transcendence, a science-fiction thriller about a scientist (Johnny Depp) facing a terminal illness who offers himself up as a test case for his grand experiment; he uploads his mind into a computer to keep himself alive, but soon realizes a far greater power and ethical challenge. What happens when a man transcends his own humanity? The philosophical question must be balanced with a firm hand on the sci-fi action in order to create a truly astounding visual treat, which is likely the kind of challenge that attracted Pfister to this project. Opens wide April 18. (PG-13) Not screened in time for review
This article appears in Apr 16-22, 2014.
