Opened: June 29, 2001

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Haley Joel Osment, Frances O’Connor, Sam Robards, Jude Law, Jake Thomas, William Hurt, Brendan Gleeson, Jack Angel, Ken Leung, Matt Winston, Eugene Osment, Clark Gregg, April Grace, Enrico Colantoni, Paula Malcomson, Ashley Scott, Kathryn Morris, Adrian Grenier, Robin Williams, Ben Kingsley, Meryl Streep & Chris Rock

A new take on Pinocchio from the minds Steven Spielberg and Stanley Kubrick, A.I. Artificial Intelligence is a spellbinding, yet devastating science-fiction film.

While her son Martin (Jake Thomas) is incapacitated, Monica (Frances O’Connor) is gifted a robotic son named David (Haley Joel Osment). Later, Monica abandons David and he searches for the Blue Fairy (Meryl Streep) to turn him into a real boy so he can return home.

Osment is perfect in the lead role. He’s creepy at the start but becomes a sympathetic figure that you can’t help but feel sorry for. When he’s partnered with Gigolo Joe (Jude Law), there’s a great rapport between the two actors.

The story is dark with many moments that’ll leave you reeling, but there’s a heart in it that only Spielberg can bring.

Final say: As real as can be. ★★★★★