Automation Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Automation Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 1, 2020

While the world faces a future of increasing workplace automation, removing humans from jobs, the film “Automation” is here to…not really comment on any of that. Instead of sinking his teeth into the juicy politics and fear factor of robotic replacement, co-writer/director Garo Setian makes a horror/comedy with “Automation,” wasting a wonderful idea on limp B-movie production achievements and a story that falls far short of its potential.

The new employee at Alert Installation is Auto, a robot with an iffy operating system that makes friends with Jenny (Elissa Dowling), a temp employee who gets to know the metallic hire, who eventually goes on a murderous rampage. Setian doesn’t have much of an imagination for “Automation,” and perhaps the budget didn’t allow for one, with the action contained inside a single warehouse setting, while performances are on the amateur side. There’s a killer robot on the loose, dealing with simulated emotions and military flashbacks, and all Setian can do is try for a blend of “Chopping Mall” and “Office Space.”

Automation Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation supplies a sharp look at the production effort behind "Automation." Such clarity isn't always a good thing, as one can easy spot the foam creases on Auto's "metallic" suit, diminishing the robotic illusion. Facial particulars are strong, and costuming is textured. Colors are lively, dealing with office and warehouse primaries, while extremes, such as Jenny's purple hair, are appealing. Delineation is acceptable. Compression issues are periodic, with banding detected.

Automation Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 Dolby Digital sound mix reaches as far as the recording equipment allows, with tech limitations common. Dialogue exchanges are fine, without pronounced issues, and there's sharpness to Auto's voice. Scoring isn't elevated to sweeten suspense, remaining fairly sedate but certainly defined. Same goes for atmospherics and sound effects, which aren't dynamic. Low-end isn't challenged.

Automation Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features writer/director Garo Setian and writer Rolfe Kanefsky.

• Commentary #2 features Setian, and producers Anahit Setian and Dan Bowen.

• Deleted Scenes (3:48, HD) are offered with commentary by Setian and Kanefsky.

• Alternate Takes (2:35, HD) are offered with commentary by Setian and Kanefsky.

• Bloopers (5:35, HD) collect all sorts of flubbed lines and mistakes, with almost every blunder punctuated with shouted profanity.

• Behind the Scenes (29:06, HD) is an extensive understanding of the "Automation" production process, presenting interviews with cast and crew and plenty of BTS footage.

• "Writing the Screenplay" (12:29, HD) talks with Setian and Kanefsky about their collaboration, exploring idea origins, the use of the warehouse location, and the creation of stunts with limited space and resources.

• "Building Auto with Evil Ted" (9:13, HD) discusses the creation of the "Automation" star with producer Ted Smith.

• "Auto's Voice" (11:16, HD) is an interview with actor Jim Tasker, conducted by Setian's teenage son, Hunter.

• Interviews (HD) include Garo Setian (9:17), producer Anahit Setian (15:42), producer Ted Smith (16:22), producer Esther Goodstein (6:09), actress Sarah French (7:30), writer Rolfe Kanefsky (4:37), writer Matthew L. Schaffer (9:00), and composer Joel Christian Goffin (6:29).

• And a Trailer (1:52, HD) is included.

Automation Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Automation" takes a while to get to Auto's uprising, and such violence isn't worth the wait. Setian aims to add some emotion to the material, but that fails as well. "Automation" is too goofy to take seriously, which is a real crime, as the conflict between corporate profit and worker disposability is a ripe one to explore.