There have been months of speculation preceding the release of "A.I." Cineastes have endlessly mused, conjectured and dreamed about the possibilities of a film project once in development with Stanley Kubrick, only to be later picked up by Steven Spielberg following the death of the legendary director. What would such a combination lead to? How would the completely different styles and sensibilities of two of the greatest masters of the screen match up - would it be a wondrous union of genius, A meets B to create an even greater C, or would the differences be too much for one film to handle, a center that cannot hold, making one big cinematic car crash?

The film has now been released, but moviegoers are no closer to an answer than before. Nor are the critics, who, in reviews published sometimes more than a week before opening day, are divided over the merits of the film. And so the debate rages on. Where is it most like Spielberg? Where can one see Kubrickian moments? Does the film's more metaphysical musings detract from its emotional center? Isn't that the kid from "The Sixth Sense"?