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29.06.2026.

10:04

Spielberg and Kubrick's fairy tale that left few indifferent: The film continues to captivate audiences

On June 29, 2001, the science fiction film A.I. Artificial Intelligence was released in cinemas worldwide—a story born from a unique collaboration between two great directors, Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg.

Izvor: Index.hr

Spielberg and Kubrick's fairy tale that left few indifferent: The film continues to captivate audiences
Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection/Profimedia

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Although Kubrick had been developing the concept for years, after his death the project was taken over by Spielberg, who created one of his most personal and poetic films.

The story of a boy who was not a boy

The film is set in a dystopian future where climate change and advanced technology have shaped a new world. Humans use humanoid robots to perform various tasks and fill emotional voids.

At the center of the story is David, a childlike robot (portrayed by the remarkably convincing Haley Joel Osment) who is programmed to love. The family that “adopts” him does so after their biological son falls into a coma. Although David initially inspires curiosity and warmth, over time he becomes unwanted and is eventually abandoned.

Driven by the desire to become a “real boy” so that his mother will love him again, David embarks on an odyssey resembling a futuristic version of Pinocchio. Along his journey, he encounters the robotic gigolo Joe (Jude Law), enters a robot circus, and ultimately searches for the Blue Fairy from the fairy tale, believing she can turn him into a real boy.

Spielberg’s tribute to Kubrick and fairy tales

Although Spielberg is known for more optimistic tones, A.I. Artificial Intelligence is a film filled with melancholy, philosophy, and deep sorrow. It raises difficult questions: what does it mean to be “real”? Can robots feel true love? What, ultimately, makes us human?

Haley Joel Osment delivers one of the most memorable child performances in cinema history, portraying David with a heartbreaking mix of innocence and an almost unsettling robotic precision. Jude Law, as the charming Joe, brings a necessary dose of charisma and energy to the harsh world of the film.

The visual effects and set design are breathtaking—from the submerged ruins of New York City to futuristic robotic arenas. John Williams, Spielberg’s longtime collaborator, composed a melancholic and dreamlike score that further emphasizes the film’s fairy-tale tone.

Legacy and later reception

Although it did not achieve major commercial success upon release, A.I. Artificial Intelligence gradually gained cult status over time. Many now consider it one of Spielberg’s most underrated films, praised for its bold approach and emotional complexity.

Despite its visually impressive scenes and intricate narrative, the film divided audiences and critics. Some found it overly sentimental, while others saw it as a philosophical gem. One thing is certain: few films have ventured so boldly into the emotional and ethical territory of the relationship between humans and machines.

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