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A cerebral science fiction thriller,
Colossus was made during the Cold War and set in the then near future. The United States has built a super computer, Colossus, to oversee and control its entire nuclear arsenal. But those who built Colossus, including the scientist Dr. Forbin (Eric Braeden) and the president (Gordon Pinset) get their first shock upon learning the U.S.S.R. has just completed a similar machine. But such a revelation pales when they realize Colossus is a lot smarter, and a lot more ambitious, than they thought, and is soon communicating with its Soviet counterpart. Pretty soon both governments are at the mercy of their own devices, as they are threatened with nuclear annihilation if Colossus' demands are not met. Written by James Bridges (
The China Syndrome) from a series of novels by D.F. Jones and directed by veteran Joseph Sargent,
Colossus is a slick well put together and intriguing thriller. It suffers a bit from its own aloof, intellect, particularly as it's not really as smart as it could be, failing to explore or debate some of the obvious ethical issues the scenario presents. The weak ending is also a problem. Still, it remains a good looking, thinking man's thriller, written and directed with maturity and very well acted.
--D.K. Latta