When a second civil war arises in a future America, two warrior robots struggle with developing consciousness as they prepare to engage each other in a televised battle that determines the fate of the country.

SYNOPSIS:

In the near future, the two-party political system breaks down to such a degree that the United States government becomes frozen in gridlock. Without compromise, the country swiftly hurtles toward civil war.

Fed up with the situation, MASON and ULRIC - two of America's wealthiest billionaires - offer a solution: they will direct all of their companies' wealth and technology to creating a pair of robots, each representing one of the political parties. The winner will take full control of the country and be able to govern.

And thus, MONITOR and MERRIMACK are built, fighting for the Democrats and Republicans, respectively. Named for ironclad ships that dueled during the First Civil War, the robots are the most advanced fighting machines ever devised. Because they are so evenly matched, a victory will only come from training and strategy.

To that end, Ulric recruits his father BUCK to train Merrimack, who in turn brings in Ulric's brother SHILO. Mason persuades TAMARA, a brilliant robotics engineer who left his company to become a billionaire in her own right, to train Monitor.

Working closely, the trainers become very attached with their robotic fighters. Training and strategizing leads to a higher level of awareness in both Monitor and Merrimack. They become curious about humanity, and their place in the world. As the big day approaches, they question why they must fight at all.

None of them know that U.S. PRESIDENT HUNTER PETERSEN plots their destruction. Angered that Mason and Ulric forced his hand with this contest, he plans to have an explosive detonated at the fight that will destroy the robots, kill many in the audience, and forever solidify his autocratic power.

RATING: PG-13