War-Bots: First Light

After hackers sabotage military computers to turn killing machines on both sides against their own forces, world leaders agree to allow an Artificial Intelligence system to control all aspects of human life since the Last War virtually wiped out all natural resources. As part of that international Peace Treaty, the AI system dictates that "art" and creative endeavors are a waste of time and precious resources. However, recognizing the human need for entertainment and release through vicarious experiences such as sports, the AI computers re-purpose military "mechs" -- human piloted killing machines -- for use in Gladiator type events. Most of the combatants are former military personnel or prisoners who violated AI policies. When the rebel artist brother (VINCE) of war hero JEB STALLWORTH, is caught defacing a public monument as an expression of free thought, the two wind up imprisoned together. But since Jeb has mad mech skills, AI offers him a chance at freedom if he wins the Mech Mayhem tournament. Vince becomes his wing man and mechanic. Another motive for Jeb to win is AI's promise to test an experimental treatment on his comatose wife, who contracted a deadly plague virus and is being kept in deep freeze with thousands and thousands of other plague victims. But the rebel group that Vince belongs to says the plague itself is a hoax -- AI is withholding a cure so it can keep the so-called victims on ice indefinitely, which reduces the population and drain on the earth's meager resources. That's how AI gets around the directive that they cannot kill humans. In the end, Jeb and his brother use the power of art to inspire the masses to revolt against the mind control tactics of their robot overlords. Although some will compare it to a sci-fi version of GLADIATOR, it has more in common with the slave uprising in the original SPARTACUS.