In my many reviews here I have pushed the meme that a really good movie experience should be more than merely the sum of its parts. LEVELS 2024 is an excellent example of a production that unfortunately flips that notion upside down -- the film has many excellent parts, but the end result falls somewhat short. Creator Adam Stern, already known and respected for his work with visual effects, keeps production levels above what you might expect for a low-budget indie sci-fi. Cara Gee, who earned rave reviews for her work in The Expanse (one of the best sci-fi series EVER!) gives a solid performance that will only add to her fan base. The clever premise, the main arc, is a composite of THE MATRIX and FREE GUY, and raises many pertinent questions about the role of AI in our world-to-be. The final product, however, is much more interesting at that beginning than the end; and although the script tries hard to entertain, there are large chunks of dialog that cannot avoid sounding preachy and strained. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))