'A.I. Artificial Intelligence'

This film, upon its release, created a little hubbub because, as the story goes, Stanley Kubrick directed half the film and died without finishing it.

Steven Spielberg came in and finished the film. Critics or so-called critics stated that the break between Kubrick's part and Spielberg's part were pronounced.

I watched it under this assumption and didn't care too much for the film, Kubrick (who I love) or not. Also, it should be noted, I was really ignorant as to what really made Spielberg who he was and what made Kubrick who he was.

Knowing more, I can't see any difference as to style or plot from Kubrick or Spielberg. It's a pretty good movie upon second viewing. I thought the story was neat, a bit of a sci-fi Pinocchio and a statement on human's arrogance and our dependence on technology.

Reading more about, the Kubrick-Spielberg split is non-existent. Kubrick began working on an adaptation of "Super-Toys Last All Summer Long" in the early-1970s getting the story's writer, Brian Aldiss, to work up a film treatment.

Spielberg entered the picture (so to speak) in the mid-1980s as a producer. By 1989, almost 20 years since Kubrick had him start on the screenplay, Aldiss was fired and in the early-1990s a treatment was presented to Kubrick, who set the project aside as he finished other films. In the ensuing years, the film would enter pre-production.

However, in 1995 the film was handed over totally to Spielberg and Kubrick died in 1999. Shooting began in 2000.

So, Kubrick's role in the film is limited. Spielberg co-wrote the screenplay. He directed the entire film. All Kubrick did was hand it off to Spielberg in the first place.

Does this make it a better film? The general consensus is that Kubrick is an awesome director and that Spielberg is emotional, nostalgic and hokey. He is the man responsible for the little girl in the red coat in Schindler's List, the children of Jurassic Park and E.T.

Spielberg's mark is all over this film because its his movie. Frankly, there's a ton more Spielberg than there is even an ounce of Kubrick. There are very Spiebergian scenes. The gladiator-like scene where the robots are cruelly destroyed as celebrities cameo and robot Kid Rock and band play their own brand of hard rock. Meanwhile, somehow Jude Law and the kid escape.

Also, the aliens. I don't see Kubrick doing that. But I do see him including the Teddy. A character I did not remember the first time, but enjoyed greatly this go 'round. He was funny and sort of a touchstone for everyone in the film. As if robots need touchstones.

I did like the ending. Where the gigolo and the boy find William Hurt's headquarters in the drowned Manhattan, where the boy and Teddy travel to talk to the blue fairy. I liked that the boy wanted his "mother" cloned for that one day. It was very Wizard of Oz with the understated idea that what they were seeking they always had. We measure "real" based on our anatomy instead of how we treat others. That's a very valuable point I think.