It was just over a decade ago when Steven Spielberg dropped "A.I. Artificial Intelligence" into theaters to a very mixed response. The picture was more famously known as a project Stanley Kubrick was shepherding for years (he was waiting for technology to be able to realistically create David — eventually played by Haley Joel Osment — believing no child actor could do it), with Spielberg seeing it into production and completion after the death of his filmmaker and friend. And it seems the movie could never quite shake off speculation of what Kubrick would have done versus what Spielberg actually made. But perhaps the biggest point of contention came with the ending, which fast fowards the story 2000 years, putting a happier sheen on what would have been a darker conclusion.
However, in this segment from a 2007 TV documentary "Spielberg On Spielberg," the director defends and explains the ending. He notes that it was in the treament that Kubrick had been developing, and that he was obligated to see it through. But morever, he feels it was the natural place for the story to go as well. Hear what he has to say below, and then let us know your thoughts. [Reddit]