Nerds That Geek Movie Review: 'Android Apocalypse'

Written by Scott Edwards

It does not matter what field you work in these days, all employers are trying to find a cheaper way to get things done. While it may not be hitting the human workforce quickly, there is always the fear that there will be a fresh student that is willing to work for cheaper or even worse, that the boss will take the human element out of the job altogether. This has to be the most frightening thing to think about, as we have all seen what happens when robots and computers take over the world in fiction. While the stories always show that they have the best interest in mind for the human race, they also show that not listening to the humans is very important for their own survival. While artificial intelligence continues to grow in our technology, I hope we have a way to control it, because there is no worse thought than waking up to see that the world has changed overnight and there is no way to stop it.
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After the world faced its apocalypse, a few small bands of people were able to survive and were forced to depend on their technology and androids to keep them alive. While the production of the new breed of robots has slowed down in recent years, Doctor Varrta is trying to get them turned back on as he knows that they are the key to mankind’s future on the planet. After showing a great demonstration to Mrs. Carlson who almost lost her son to the dangerous elements outside of the dome that covers Phoenix, Varrta knows that there will be little hesitation to bringing his plan to life. Pulling his newly prized Android who was able to save the boy to the side however, Varrta sees that there is a little emotion starting to be seen in the android and he decides to send him to the outpost in Terminus to get him reprogrammed, but little does he know what that trip will yield for the future.

Working in the underground of one of the last remaining cities, Jute is shocked when he sees yet another COG (android) taking the position of a hard-working human. Being laid off, Jute needs to blow off some steam and stops off at the local bar for a drink on fight night. Seeing that the new unbeatable competitor in the ring tonight is a COG, Jute has the perfect way of taking out all of his frustrations, but the fight is shortened when the police show up. Taking his madness to the streets with his buddy Polton and a bottle of booze, Jute is shocked to see his competitor from the ring making his way down the street and wants to finish what they started. But being able to beat the COG and end its lifecycle will be the biggest mistake for Jute, especially when the police come looking for him.

Being tossed in the back of a transport vehicle and being shipped off to Terminus, Jute sees that the world outside of Phoenix is not very habitable, especially when the transport comes under attack. Watching as the infected mining probes drill through the truck and take out humans and androids alike, he decides it is time to leave, but little does he know that he is with one of the better probe killers. Watching as the android DeeCee is able to save their lives, Jute is ready to return home and continue his life and while DeeCee does not understand why, the android starts to share the same ideas. Little does Jute know that by talking to the machine, he starts to feel like the android is actually something special and not like the others. Forming a little bond on their walk through the badlands, the man and machine need to come up with a plan as they are not only be hunted by the out of control probes that terrorize the landscape, but Doctor Varrta and his goons as well who have a much more sinister plan in place.

Pretty cool end of days scenario being put on the screen here, especially when you find out what Doctor Varrta is really planning for the future. I really liked the DeeCee character, as he was straight faced throughout the movie and the little smile when he was able to crack a joke was epic. The growth that Jute was forced to go through, from wanting to kill every COG that ever existed to one becoming his best friend was fun, even when the two were fighting from the start. With a small town in a dome, renegade probes that are looking to kill, badlands, an out of control doctor, a tightly forced bond between man and machine and a woman who will not let her husband go out like that, this is actually a pretty good feel good movie overall. Although you don’t have to agree with everything that is being put out before you, once you find out the master plan for the remaining human race, you might start to question who you can really trust as security is important, but not the only thing we need. Stay Scared and Happy Viewing.

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