Today’s quick review: Vice. Roy (Thomas Jane), a police detective, has always been leery of Vice, a resort where guests can enact their most twisted fantasies on lifelike androids. But when Kelly (Ambyr Childers), one of the robots, recalls her erased memories and escapes from the resort, he gets an opportunity to take down Vice and its untouchable owner Julian Michaels (Bruce Willis) once and for all.
Vice is a science fiction thriller set in a world where artificial intelligence is used for perverse forms of recreation. Vice has the makings of a good science fiction movie, with a speculative setting and the ingredients needed for action. However, its limited scope keeps it from doing very much with its premise. The movie sticks to simple characters, a stock plot, and budget action, making it a forgettable watch.
Vice falls short of its potential in several ways. The dialogue and acting are splotchy, mostly passable but pocked with a few clumsy moments. Kelly, Roy, and Julian fill the roles they need to in the story, but they are thin characters who undergo minimal development. The story touches on interesting questions about artificial intelligence but has no real insight to offer. Even the plot just goes through the motions, with no twists or surprises.
Vice has just enough quality to be a mindless watch for science fiction fans. Those looking for a thoughtful or thriling science fiction experience should look elsewhere. For a darker, more stylized take on a similar premise, check out Gamer. For an action-packed robot thriller with better writing and special effects, check out I, Robot. For a Bruce Willis science fiction movie with similar elements, check out Surrogates.
4.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for a decent premise and lackluster execution.