Transcendence - C-

Rated PG-13, 119 minutes

Depp disappoints again in the sluggish "Transcendence"

Another year, another disappointing, big-budget Johnny Depp film. After 2012's "Dark Shadows" and last year's "The Lone Ranger," Depp has had a difficult time at the movie house lately, and his pretentious, very ambitious new drama "Transcendence" won't do him any favors. Depp is Will Caster, the foremost researcher in the field of Artificial Intelligence, working to create a sentient machine that combines the collective intelligence of everything ever known with the full range of human emotions. When he is killed by radical extremists, his mind is brought back to life through the very machine he created, with help from his wife (Rebecca Hall) and best friend (Paul Bettany), also researchers, though they quickly realize his thirst for knowledge becomes a dangerous thirst for power at all costs. Directed by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Wally Pfister ("Inception") in his directorial debut, it's an intriguing, big-idea, big-budgeted movie with a great cast that falters under sluggish storytelling that seems to get more preposterous the longer it goes on. It has a certain "Twilight Zone"-esque appeal that would've worked better with a different actor than Depp, whose intent these days seems to be collecting big paychecks (he got $20 million for this too, so don't feel too sorry for him) and giving self-aware performances that become a distraction to the story. "Transcendence" is most unfortunate given that a terrific cast, including the lovely Hall, Bettany along with Morgan Freeman and Cillian Murphy, is given little to do. It asks plenty of heady questions, but does little with them, and it's not helped by the slow pacing. "Transcendence" will likely be another flop for Depp, who should consider a supporting role in a low-key indie film to get him back on track. Until then, go rent any Depp film before 2004, when he started his slide into self-awareness.

Wes's Grade: C-