Mercy

Synopsis

After the recent introduction of an AI judicial system, a detective responsible for that system is on trial for the murder of his wife.

Review

This really is a static action movie. There is action, but it really can feel flat as it is displayed through a video screen. You consistently have an overlay on the cameras or an over the should body came feel. While there are times you get to move with the person whose view it is, the viewer never gets the weight of the events happening on the screen. There also is this relatively weird effect on Chris Pratt's character when he is watching the simulation or live feed of events. Specifically I am talking about the whip of the simulation away creates this wind through his hair. Why?

I will say from a story + film perspective, it is a brilliant idea of how to pull the viewer into the story as if you are in the chair. I think the Rebecca Ferguson and Chris Pratt do a great job. Whether they were actually in the same room or not is questionable. I am pretty sure they weren't, but I think they were at least in each other's ear mean they could react correctly.

The story itself is very Minority Reportesq. This idea that you are basically guilty as soon as you sit down rather than being innocent unless proven guilty. In fact, that is one of the lines of the court, "Guilty unless proven innocent" which is crazy in this idea that they basically ignore the US Constitution, but that makes sense for California. I'll leave my personal politics out.

My Rating

I want to say, that I do appreciate that way the story is presented. It is relatively plausible that someone would do exactly what this story would do. What doesn't make sense is that these non-registered phones are allowed to use the same network against the law without them being able to figure it out. One of the biggest sins is the overwhelming use of AI in the movie. I am not talking about the character, I am talking about having AI make scenes in the movie just like in Flight Risk. It looks as bad as the viral scene from The Punisher One Last Kill (Which I just watched yesterday, review coming in the next couple of days). These issues really bring this movie down to a 6.

Parental Rating

There is language, grotesque violence, and no sexual scenes from what I remember. There is also a large plot line about alcoholism and as Dad stopped drinking when he started dating my Mom, I am not sure how my Mom would feel about this. I know that she isn't a big fan of her boys drinking, but doesn't fight us on it. Either way, I still don't think this would make it through their muster. Rejected by both.

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