I expected Transcendence to be action-packed, futuristic and scientifically fictitious. I anticipated big, nerdy words related to artificial intelligence that I couldnt comprehend, phenomenal acting by Johnny Depp and brilliant graphics on screen.

I did not, however, expect a heart-wrenching story of human love and loss, or to leave the theater with a pit in my stomach and questions of human nature racing through my mind.

Transcendence somehow manages to tell the romantic, age-old story of the human experience in a scarily believable science-fiction setting in a way that doesnt make me feel like a complete sci-fi nerd. With striking acting and conceivable futuristic technology, the film touches its viewers to the core and forces us to question the path our society is headed down.

While it may seem far-off and implausible at first, the film certainly hits close to home. As the anti-technology villainous group in the movie explained, universal mayhem begins with people prioritizing their phones and iPads over other living, breathing humans. It begins where we are right now.

In a phone interview with Transcendence director Wally Pfister, (previously the cinematographer of The Dark Knight and Inception) The PHOENIX gained insight into the making of the film and the intention behind it.

Transcendence is Pfisters directorial debut, and he explained some of the challenges and creative aspects required in making the film come together.

For me, the greatest challenge was also one of the most enlightening, wonderful, fun things, which was in directing actors and delving in the performance for the first time, he said. I really found it extraordinarily fun, but there were challenges because you are suddenly playing the role of psychologist for the first time versus being a cinematographer, which is really just about telling stories with images.

Although its the first movie he has directed, Pfister is already getting the chance to work with renowned actors such as Depp and Morgan Freeman.

Its mind-blowing I feel incredibly fortunate to be lucky enough to have the likes of these incredible actors. And honestly, you know, this isnt just bullshit. They were all a joy to work with.

Obviously Transcendence is a scientific-fiction film, as the main focus and conflict is an artificially intelligent machine, but Pfister emphasized that it differs from typical sci-fi films.

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Transcending the typical sci-fi flick: The PHOENIX chats with Wally Pfister