Here’s a film that male sci-fi lovers may enjoy a bit more than the ladies due to its stylish evocative and sensual content. It’s called A.I. Rising and is now available on DVD, Digital HD and VOD. While the film does entertain with an interesting storyline that’s reminiscent of movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Space Station 76; what’s different here is the romance built into the trek through space, human with android. It’s Romeo and Juliette in a way you’ve never imagined.
In demand for his ability to pilot alone in space, Milutin (Sebastian Cavazza) gets the call for a mission to Alpha Centauri by the multinational Ederlezi Corporation. His job is to deliver a new ideology to the colony that has grown in numbers. Since the trip is longer than Milutin has ever gone, the Ederlesi Corporation has added a new twist. Milutin is to be accompanied by Nimani (Stoya) a state of the art android that has been programmed to allow the pilot all he desires, bar none.
The trip goes without incident and Milutin has had the companion of his dreams bonding with Nimani in every aspect of life. She has been so giving that he is slowly falling in love with her. On this one day has become bored and would like the other side of companionship with a little resistance to make their love making more of a challenge.
Director Lazar Bodroza works his two actors creating a Utopian ‘marriage’ with the android and human. The level of heat between the two reaches amazing heights. He then pulls the rug from under their feet and personality changes start making life more difficult. His film never gets off track, intrigues and then even more compelling as the story presses on. In their paths he lays mechanical traps, psychological differences and then situations that start to put the two in opposite orbits.
The acting by Cavazza is very good as the astronaut that has never had it so good. He’s totally on cloud nine unbelieving he has all his desires and he has full control Nimani. He even sets up a daily routine that includes sex and romance mixed with his daily chores of keeping the ship on track for the long ride. With a year passing he’s even courting her with special favors. Then as greed sets in, his choices become blurred and we find his psychological values starting to change.
His companion, played by Stoya, a very popular star in the porn industry, does a terrific job of acting. No really, her character is far beyond a toy and she carries the dialogue extremely well. She shows Nimani as amicable and subservient allowing the commands of Milutin, but there’s more than meets the eye as she starts to get the upper hand. Nicely played, the twists start to get revealed quickly and each one is handled like she is an A-List actress. She may have been a porn star before, but after this, you may see more roles ahead for the rising star. I mean if Sibel Kekilli of “Game of Thrones”, Sasha Grey The Girlfriend Experience, Sunny Leone starring in The Girl Next Door, Traci Lords featured in Blade, and Shu Qi in The Transporter can crossover, why not Stoya. Just saying.
A.I Rising has been rated R by the MPAA for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, and language. I do not recommend the film for anyone under 17. For the ladies, the film’s feminist empowering, so check it out.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Romeo and Juliette in space. (3.5 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Sebastian Cavazza, Stoya, Marusa Majer, Kristy Besterman
Director: Lazar Bodroza
MPAA Rating: R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, and language
Genre: Drama, Romance, Sci-fi, Foreign (Serbia)
Running Time: 1 hr. 25 min
Video Release Date: March 12, 2019
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: 1080p, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 2.66:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 disc
Distributed by: Lionsgate Films
Released in: DVD, Digital HD, VOD
