Gareth Edwards’s highly anticipated sci-fi blockbuster, The Creator, arrives on the big screen at the perfect moment. Edwards, known for his work on films like Rogue One and Godzilla, excels in the theater setting, and The Creator continues this trend. Set in a world where artificial intelligence exists as a robotic underclass created to serve humans, the film explores the timely topic of AI’s impact on society. According to Edwards, when he began co-writing the movie with Chris Weitz in 2018, AI was a futuristic concept, but now it is a subject of constant global discussion.
Unlike the chatbots dominating the news in 2023, the machine intelligence depicted in The Creator is far more advanced. The film showcases AI as a species of humanoid robots that initially integrate into American society but are later forced to flee after a cataclysmic incident triggers a global human-AI war. Despite the initial connection to current AI discussions, The Creator serves as a metaphor for insurgent foes throughout history rather than a direct commentary on contemporary AI. This approach parallels the use of Star Wars as a Vietnam War allegory by George Lucas. In The Creator, the United States becomes the antagonist seeking to eradicate AI, even though the robots have already found refuge in Asia, showcasing the U.S. military as ruthless and immoral.
However, the world-building in The Creator remains in the background, as the film primarily focuses on its protagonist, Joshua (played by John David Washington), an undercover operative embedded with robot guerrilla fighters. Joshua’s story unfolds as he falls in love with a rebel fighter named Maya (Gemma Chan) and embarks on a mission to find a mysterious superweapon named Alphie. This action-packed film constantly keeps viewers engaged with relentless pace, explosions, and gunfire.
One of the film’s standout features is its captivating visuals, achieved by filming in stunning real-world locations, mainly in Thailand, rather than relying heavily on CGI. Gareth Edwards’s ability to create visually striking blockbusters shines through once again, despite working with a smaller budget.
However, the story of The Creator is filled with familiar tropes. The adorable robot child Alphie, who serves as the film’s MacGuffin, lacks depth and personality. Joshua’s love interest, Maya, is mainly absent from the film and feels underdeveloped. Although John David Washington brings grit and spirit to his character, the spectacle of the film takes center stage, struggling to sustain the runtime of over two hours.
Nevertheless, The Creator is an impressive achievement in craftsmanship that truly shines on the big screen. The movie presents intriguing ideas within its larger world, leaving viewers wanting more information about the AI warriors and society they inhabit. While American imperialism has been portrayed negatively in other movies, the blatant condemnation in The Creator carries a certain transgressive appeal. However, the allegory remains simplistic, lacking intricate details but easily recognizable to any audience member. The robots become another Rebel Alliance to root for, but ultimately lack originality.
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