Weekly Movie Challenge

This week's challenge is to explore how machines, robots, and gadgets drive the plot forward in movies.

Machines often drive the plot by introducing new challenges or ideas for characters to grapple with. Starting with 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), the artificial intelligence HAL 9000 turns from a helpful tool to a deadly adversary, questioning our reliance on machines. In The Matrix (1999), the entire premise revolves around machines enslaving humanity in a virtual reality, with Neo leading the charge to break free. Minority Report (2002) offers a vision of a future where machines predict crimes before they happen, putting Tom Cruise’s character on the run from the very technology meant to protect. Fast forward to Elysium (2013), where futuristic medical machines create a stark divide between the rich and poor, driving Matt Damon’s desperate mission to reach one. Finally, Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) uses massive war rigs and mechanical monstrosities to create thrilling chases across a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Robots have long been a staple in cinema, often representing the future of technology and, sometimes, raising questions about humanity. Blade Runner (1982) is a classic, with replicants (human-like robots) struggling with their identity and lifespan, and a detective hunting them down. The Iron Giant (1999) is a more heartwarming tale of a boy befriending a massive robot, who must overcome his original programming as a weapon. I, Robot (2004) builds a murder mystery around the potential for robots to defy their creators, blending action with philosophical questions. WALL-E (2008) delivers a beautiful, emotional journey of a small, lonely robot tasked with cleaning up a ruined Earth, only to become humanity’s unlikely savior. More recently, Ex Machina (2014) features a humanoid robot created to test the boundaries of artificial intelligence, but things quickly spiral out of control when she begins to assert her independence.

Gadgets, especially handheld ones, have played a pivotal role in films across genres. In Goldfinger (1964), James Bond’s miniature homing device and the ejector seat in his Aston Martin are essential tools for his success. Hellraiser (1987) introduces the Lament Configuration, a small puzzle box that opens a gateway to another dimension and drives the horror in the film. Batman: The Movie (1966) features iconic handheld gadgets like the Bat-communicator and the memorable shark-repellent Bat-spray. Mission: Impossible (1996) showcases the IMF team’s reliance on compact gadgets like exploding gum and voice-altering earpieces to accomplish their mission. Finally, in Inspector Gadget (1999), the title character’s body is filled with quirky, practical gadgets that he awkwardly deploys to fight crime, emphasizing the comedic potential of high-tech, handheld devices.

Below we’ve added a bunch of other suggestions/recommendations for movies that would count for the challenge. Let us know what you’ve watched, what you’re thinking of watching, or whether you’ve got any recommendations to pass to your fellow CineChums.

Watch a movie with machines, robots or gadgets taking centre stage

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