Robot Overlords

Robot Overlords

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Jon Wright
Produced by Piers Tempest
Written by Mark Stay
Jon Wright
Starring Callan McAuliffe
Ben Kingsley
Gillian Anderson
Milo Parker
Geraldine James
Music by Christian Henson
Production
company
Embankment Films
Distributed by Signature Entertainment (United Kingdom)
Vertical Entertainment (United States)
Release dates
  • 18 October 2014 (2014-10-18) (London Film Festival)
Running time
 90 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Budget $21 million

Robot Overlords (originally titled Our Robot Overlords) is a 2014 British independent science fiction film, starring Callan McAuliffe, Ben Kingsley and Gillian Anderson. The film is directed by Jon Wright and produced by Piers Tempest. The estimated budget was $21 million.[1][2]

Synopsis

Not long after the invasion and occupation of Earth by a race of powerful robots wanting human knowledge and ingenuity, humans are confined to their homes. Leaving without permission would be to risk their lives. Monitored by the electronic implants in their necks, the robot sentries are able to track the movements of humans in order to control them. If any person comes out of their home, they are given warnings by the robot sentries to get inside their home. If the person does not comply, they are shot immediately.

In what starts out as a bit of fun, a bunch of clever kids in a British town (assumed to be Scotland, but actually filmed in Northern Ireland and Isle of Man) manage to tamper with the implants in their necks and stay out after their curfew. Having discovered the capabilities of the electronic implants, they quickly realise how important this information could be to save the imprisoned human race.

Led by the talented Sean (Callan McAuliffe), who discovers he has the mental ability to interface with and control the robots, the kids band together and recruit other people who want to stand up against the robots’ rule. Standing in their way are human collaborators, led by Smythe (Ben Kingsley, using a northern English accent), and the kids must summon all their emotional and physical strength in order to battle against their control. After a run-in with the collaborators, clues eventually lead them to a hideaway community in an abandoned mine where Sean is reunited with his father, but the robots soon descend on the community seeking Sean, offering an amnesty in exchange for him. Sean mentally controls a robot craft that rams and destroys the cube, the local robot mothership, halting this invasion. He narrowly escapes the impact. He interfaces with a damaged Mediator, a robot in human form, and mentally sends commands to end the invasion of the Earth, destroying the robots and their craft. The film ends with jubilation as the local population celebrate in town. In the closing scene, Sean looks up at the stars.

Cast

Production

The film began principal photography in Wales, the Isle of Man[6] and Northern Ireland,[7] with shooting to include Carrickfergus Castle.[8] Music for the film's end credits is provided by Matan Zohar.[9]

Release and reception

The film was released on 27 March 2015 in the United Kingdom and grossed only £4,147 across 30 sites in its weekend debut.[10] The film was released in the United States on 3 July 2015. Den of Geek referred to the film as a "beguiling homespun invasion tale".[11] Television drama producer Tony Wood described Robot Overlords as "a great British sci-fi brand in the tradition of classics such as 'Quatermass' and 'Doctor Who' — packed with special effects and rebellious excitement."[12] Empire noted that "unlike its titular villains, it's sleek and it never malfunctions."[13] The Guardian compared the film to another well known British science fiction franchise, saying it "plays like a slightly more sweary episode of Doctor Who."[14][15] The Telegraph branded it quintessentially British, with its many "plucky" characters, but found the plot to be thin and the robot overlords clumsy and harking back to earlier sci-fi movies: like a "rusty Dr Who episode" with Dalek invasions of Bedfordshire quarries.[16] The Rotten Tomatoes overall score was 60% in August 2015.[17]

Home media

Robot Overlords was released internationally on DVD and Blu-ray in August 2015.[18]

Novel

Victor Gollancz Ltd acquired the rights to publish a novel based on the film.[19] The book, written by scriptwriter and co-creator of the movie Mark Stay, included extra scenes and bonus material not included in the film.[19] It was published in the UK on 12 February 2015 and an audiobook version is read by Rupert Degas.

Video game

Iglu Media created a game called Robot Warlords that is based on Robot Overlords. An action and strategy game, Robot Warlords includes elements of the movie, such as film clips.[20] Available for both iOS and Android, players must flee from robot invaders, dodging attacks and various obstacles.[21]

TV series

London based production company Buccaneer Media signed an agreement to create a television series that will be set in a "parallel universe" to the film. "This series will really expand the canvas of the robot occupation, and we are aiming to make an explosive show that the U.K. will be very proud of," said the film's producer Piers Tempest, whose company Tempo Productions will be co-producing the series with Buccaneer.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Kit, Borys (2013-05-13). "'Great Gatsby' Actor Nabs Starring Lead in 'Our Robot Overlords'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
  2. 1 2 Wiseman, Andreas (2013-05-17). "Robot Overlords sparks new investment". Screen Daily. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
  3. ↑ "Miriam O'Callaghan won't let comic David McSavage get skit off". Irish Daily Star. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
  4. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2145829/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast
  5. ↑ Mike McCahill (26 March 2015). "Robot Overlords review – spirited sci-fi with Gillian Anderson and Ben Kingsley". The Guardian.
  6. ↑ "Robots to descend on Castletown". Isle of Man Today. 2013-06-05. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
  7. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (2013-06-06). "Our Robot Overlords shoot underway". Screen Daily. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  8. ↑ "Carrick to 'lord it' as a movie setting". Carrick Times. 2013-06-05. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
  9. ↑ "Mat Zo creates music for upcoming British sci-fi film". 2014-06-16. Retrieved 2014-06-17.
  10. ↑ "Cinderella sweeps up at the UK box office in a strong week for kids' movies". The Guardian. 2015-03-31. Retrieved 2015-03-31.
  11. ↑ Lambie, Ryan (2015-03-27). "Robot Overlords review". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  12. 1 2 Barraclough, Leo (2015-05-22). "Sci-fi Adventure Movie 'Robot Overlords' Spawns TV Spin-off Series (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
  13. ↑ Williams, Owen. "Empire's Robot Overlords movie review". Empire. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
  14. ↑ Kermode, Mark (2015-03-29). "Robot Overlords review – cheap and cheerful alien invasion romp". The Guardian. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
  15. ↑ Kermode, Mark (2015-04-10). "Mark Kermode reviews Robot Overlords". Kermode and Mayo's Film Review. BBC Radio. BBC Radio 5 Live. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
  16. ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/robot-overlords/review/
  17. ↑ http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/robot_overlords/
  18. ↑ "Blu-ray.com: Robot Overlords (2014)". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
  19. 1 2 Calder, Sophie (2013-05-13). "Robot Overlords - The Novel!". Retrieved 2014-06-09.
  20. ↑ "ROBOT WARLORDS, iOS game based off the upcoming film ROBOT OVERLORDS (starring Ben Kingsley and Gillian Anderson) Coming to UK 20th March!". MCVUK.com. 2015-03-16. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  21. ↑ Snyder, Sammy (2015-08-13). "Robot Warlords now available on UK App Store". iPhone FAQ. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
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