USS Callister (2017)
Genre: Drama / Scifi
Duration: 76 minuten
Alternative title: Black Mirror: USS Callister
Country:
United Kingdom
Directed by: Toby Haynes
Stars: Jesse Plemons, Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson
IMDb score:
8,3 (69.526)
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Reviews & comments
Fisico
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- 10039 messages
- 5398 votes
I'm not much into Star Trek so this episode of Black Mirror with some features of the series didn't help. I have seen all but a few episodes of Black Mirror and I have to conclude that they are often fishing in the same pond. It's not all that original anymore. This USS Callister was even downright annoying and I was annoyed by the simple plot line, unconvincing acting and the bland dialogue and script.
Glad it was over and that explains a lot. USS Callister is a type of game where the developer introduces characters that he envies in real life. In the game he can dominate and control them. Some potential, but again too salty.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Donkerwoud
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- 8696 messages
- 3960 votes
'USS Callister' (2017) scores points with the nostalgic retro aesthetic of an alternative Star Trek universe in which the villain online is an Aryan blonde space captain and offline a petty programmer. Or how the digital game world is a sanctuary where adolescent fantasies and desires form a release mechanism to deal with everyday frustrations. But in that hyper-realistic environment, the law of the trollish strongest applies and oppressing, playing with and destroying others is no longer a game. The nightmare scenario here is that artificial intelligence has evolved to such an extent that those who are being hit are true reflections of people in the real world, with similar feelings, thoughts and the will to be free from tyranny. And the scariest thing is that people in the offline world (like their 'original' versions) have no idea that this injustice exists under their watchful eye. What I do like about this episode is that the world as a simulation has already been extensively explored in 'White Christmas' (2014) and 'San Junipero' (2016). It seems a bit as if they want to be less urgent or relevant as a socially critical reflection on technology, but are always betting on the same winning horse from previous successes.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Vidi well
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- 540 messages
- 703 votes
Very nice episode. The ethical objections to cloning are given a retro science fiction guise in this episode. I didn't think the Star Trek link was overly present, it reminded me more of a tribute to 60's and 70's sci-fi in general. (But I'm not a Star Trek expert either, maybe Spock also kissed his female crew every episode?)
The story also reminds me somewhat of Frankenstein, where the scientist forgets that his creation also has a will of its own. The same thing happens here, and the same resistance to the creator arises. The fact that the environment in the game has been given a wonderfully retro look makes the episode particularly beautiful to watch, and a nice combination of adventure film and sci-fi thriller.
4*
Translated from Dutch · View original
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