Her Point: Do not listen to the critics -- they know not what they write. I had been dreading the physical act of dragging myself and Casey to the theater to view "A.I" because of the reports coming from many sources, both professional and personal. No one seemed to like this movie. Barring the fact that it is a tad too long, I really liked this flick. Spielberg delivers another spectacular package to the public, which includes super sci-fi stuff, a talking, walking laugh-invoking supertoy named Teddy, and gigolo super-lover robots. Who could ask for more?

His Counterpoint: I agree that Teddy the Bear -- supertoy extraordinaire -- was the highlight of "A.I." However, I did not appreciate Spielberg beating the audience over the head with his environmental message just as the movie began. The show’s writers blamed the industrialists for global warming, which in turn caused flooding of the world’s major cities on the seaboards and greatly reduced the size of each continent. Of course this led to overcrowding -- hence great restrictions on childbirth to save the world’s remaining resources. The robot played by Haley Joel Osment is supposed to replace a couple’s comatose child and help them through their emotional struggle. In a society advanced enough to build robots not discernable from humans, one would think no one would need eyeglasses either. But a lot of the characters wear glasses. Wouldn’t laser eye surgery be as common as getting a tooth filled in the future?

Her Point: I got exactly what I expected from a Spielberg movie and of course the token alien or two was thrown in for authenticity. His movies are generally very entertaining and this is no exception. Talk about "total control:" this man not only directed but also wrote and produced the picture. Had the scenes flown together smoother I would have very little with which to disagree. The movie seemed choppy. It also was a very long film -- right at 2 1/2 hours. I agree with my neighbor’s assessment that the movie could have ended about three separate times. Excusing the few flaws is easy to do, though, because we get more good than bad. My favorite example is Teddy -- David’s (Osment) supertoy companion and sidekick. Teddy receives more laughs than any of the other actors, whether they be "mecha" (robots) or "orga" (living beings). Oh, and by the way, I happened to like the beginning of the movie with the explanation about global warming. I stopped using aerosol hairspray for that very reason.

His Counterpoint: "Choppy" is not the word for the plot in "A.I." It seemed as though Spielberg was overcome with all the wonderful ideas he was having as a writer and could not figure out when to finally end the picture. The result was an odd thematic concoction of a fairy tale superimposed upon a boy’s love for his mother and ultimately an invasion by space aliens. Evidently, Spielberg was trying to find a way to get a little more "mileage" out of his old "E.T." special effects equipment, and this movie was just the ticket. Aside from the strange plot, the basic problem with this film is that it moves at a snail’s pace. There were a lot of scenes about the interaction between the robot boy and his family that should have been left on the cutting room floor.

Her Point: Jude Law was very impressive as "Gigolo Joe." His character is a male robot, programmed to please his clients like never before -- my goodness! Law’s performance is believable and quite titillating. Ladies, need I say more? Well, I will. The way he makes music … you must see it for yourself. Speaking of performances, I thought most all characters were played nicely. Osment did an admirable job as David -- the little mecha boy who can love. He even comes to his new family with quick start up instructions for imprinting his ability to emote. Osment perfected the robotic facial expressions, devoid of blinking eyes. I did find myself thinking of his "Sixth Sense" character towards the end when he is whispering to the "Blue Fairy."

His Counterpoint: The whole "mecha" concept was just moronic. There is a lengthy scene in which a futuristic mecha hunter uses robotic "hounds" to chase down "free range mechas" and sell them to an entertainment promoter. This promoter runs the twenty-first century version of Monster Tractor Pull, except instead of wrecking vehicles, they wreck robots. Some things never change, including bleachers packed with dubious beer-drinking Neanderthals who cheer as the robots are fired from canons or chopped-up with swords. It seems to me that a robot with a computer mind could outwit the futuristic coon hunter in the first place and never have to worry about being blown up for public enjoyment.

Aside from the issues with the robot rodeo round-up, it did not seem realistic to me that the robot kid could steal a police "amphibicopter" and travel all the way to a sunken Manhattan. A police department with vehicles that drive, fly and go underwater could probably determine how to get a stolen vehicle back -- particularly one of their own squad cars.

Her Point: I hardly ever think about seeing a movie twice. "A.I." could be seen many times and I may have to rent it when it comes out on DVD. I am happy that I went to see this movie. I was moved to both laughter and tears, so everyone knows that this flick is going to get a few stars. I read that they are coming out with Teddy toys and I might just get one. If they ever should come out with a "Gigolo Joe" -- well, what do you think? You could have your chance to view this film tonight. It is playing at Mahan Hall at 7:30 p.m. Listen to this critic and go. "A.I." gets three and one half stars. *** 1/2

His Counterpoint: Although Spielberg has made some terrific movies, this film is mediocre. I am sure that Osment is a nice kid, but he should go back to seeing dead people. I reached my limit of tolerance for this flick when the "E.T." alien guys at the end did a Vulcan mind-meld with the robot boy. I give "A.I." two stars. **