Movie Critic vs. ChatGPT
Robots, Movies & Humanity
Top 10 picks by a movie critic and ChatGPT
“By examining these themes, these movies help us reflect on our own humanity and make informed choices about the development and integration of technology into our lives.”
–ChatGPT
Our fast-arriving new friends
Humanoid robots are coming of age here in 2023. There are at minimum some eight bi-pedal humanoid robots walking towards an historic rendezvous with humanity. The more serious of the humanoids have converged with artificial intelligence (AI), and because of it, are showing advanced capabilities heretofore absent from their kind. How it all will play out is ahead of us, but not too far.
The best we can do now is to keep an open mind and get acquainted with these ambulating, human-like machines of steel, plastic, and artificial intelligence.
Hollywood has taken guesses at what encounters between robots and humans might be like. Robot movies have been a staple of the silver screen for over a hundred years. For better or worse, we’ve drawn the measure of human-robot interaction from these movie dramas.
The Script Lab’s David Young is out with an article: Robot Movies: A Mechanism for Discussing Humanity, where he has selected his Top 10 (actually, nine) robot movies.
As Young puts it: “Machines that do our bidding, until they don’t, robots are a symbol of the question that runs through all of our minds in science fiction stories: What makes us human? Is it the ability to create and ideate? Is it the convention of falling in love? It’s hard to pick any of these as a universal qualifier, but we can see machines interact in the way humans do in a crime thriller, a high-octane action movie, or even a heartfelt love story. Which robot movies do this best?
The biggest questions about humanity can be asked through a number of genres, but sci-fi does it so well that we have kept on doing that for decades. That said, it’s stories about robots that dominate the landscape when asking what it means to be human.”
*Here are Young’s robot movie picks:
Blade Runner
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
WALL-E
Blade Runner 2049
Ex Machina
The Terminator
The Iron Giant
Her [?]
I, Robot
Strange that he didn’t come up with a # 10.
*See trailers, download script, and see Young’s take here.
Then we asked ChatGPT what it “thought” are the Top 10. We asked GPT the following question: What are the top 10 best Hollywood robot movies and why is each important to humanity?
If anything, ChatGPT’s answers were predictable and straightforward but were interesting, nonetheless.
Here are the top 10 Hollywood robot movies, along with a brief explanation of why each is important to humanity, plus a link to the movie’s trailer:
“Blade Runner” (1982): This seminal science fiction film explores the complex relationship between humans and androids. It raises profound questions about what it means to be human and the ethics surrounding artificial intelligence.
Movie trailer for “Blade Runner” (1982)
“The Terminator” (1984): This action-packed movie showcases a dystopian future where intelligent machines rebel against humanity. It underscores the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancements and the importance of ensuring responsible development.
Movie trailer for “The Terminator” (1984)
“Wall-E” (2008): This heartwarming animated film highlights environmental issues and the impact of consumerism. Through the character of Wall-E, a lovable robot left to clean up Earth, it emphasizes the importance of preserving our planet and living sustainably.
Movie trailer for “Wall-E” (2008)
“Ex Machina” (2014): This thought-provoking film delves into the concept of artificial intelligence and consciousness. It raises philosophical questions about self-awareness, manipulation, and the boundaries between human and machine.
Movie trailer for “Ex Machina” (2014)
“RoboCop” (1987): This futuristic action film tackles themes of corporate greed, corruption, and the dehumanization of law enforcement. It serves as a cautionary tale about the unchecked power of corporations and the importance of maintaining our humanity in the face of technological advancements.
Movie trailer for “RoboCop” (1987)
“A.I. Artificial Intelligence” (2001): Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film explores the concept of a sentient robot seeking love and acceptance. It delves into themes of identity, compassion, and the human capacity for empathy.
Movie trailer for “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” (2001)
“The Iron Giant” (1999): This animated film tells the story of a young boy who befriends a giant robot from outer space. It showcases the power of friendship, compassion, and the ability to overcome prejudice, highlighting the importance of empathy and understanding.
Movie trailer for “The Iron Giant” (1999)
“I, Robot” (2004): Based on Isaac Asimov’s renowned work, this film presents a world where robots coexist with humans but face questions about their place in society. It raises ethical concerns and explores the relationship between humanity and technology.
Movie trailer for “I, Robot” (2004)
“Metropolis” (1927): A groundbreaking silent film, “Metropolis” depicts a futuristic city divided between wealthy industrialists and oppressed workers. It serves as a commentary on social inequality and the potential consequences of technological progress without empathy and compassion.
Movie trailer for “Metropolis” (1927)
“Her” (2013): This poignant film tells the story of a man who develops a relationship with an intelligent operating system. It explores themes of love, loneliness, and human connection in an increasingly digital world, encouraging reflection on the importance of authentic relationships.
Movie trailer for “Her” (2013) [Interesting pick, but really not a robot movie]
“Each of these films,” concludes ChatGPT, “contributes to the collective dialogue on the relationship between humanity and technology, prompting us to consider the ethical, social, and emotional implications of advancing robotic technologies. By examining these themes, these movies help us reflect on our own humanity and make informed choices about the development and integration of technology into our lives.”