John David Washington and Gemma Chan go to war with artificial intelligence in the sci-fi thriller ‘The Creator’
By Dana Barbuto/Boston Movie News
Given all the recent fretting over artificial intelligence, director Gareth Edwards’ sci-fi extravaganza, “The Creator,” certainly is timely. It’s also derivative, dispatching John David Washington’s ex-special forces operative, Joshua, to destroy history’s most powerful robot and kill its genius creator, Nirmata. If he fails, it’s goodbye mankind. So, no pressure, Josh.
As you’ll recall, the stakes were equally steep for Tom Cruise’s recent row with AI in the latest “Mission: Impossible.” Or, when Harrison Ford took on the replicants in “Bladerunner.” And countless other movies with ’bot baddies. They are the new communists, serving as public enemy No. 1. Or are they? That’s the question lingering over a script penned by Edwards (“Rogue One”) and Chris Weitz (“About a Boy”).
Hollywood writers anxious over being rubbed out by AI? The irony is a bit uncanny, but Edwards has more on his mind than serendipity. He crafts a sci-fi spectacle reaching beyond pure dazzle, a futuristic treatise on grief, parenting, love, and the evils of imperialism. It’s all set amid a cyber-punkish backdrop 50 years into the future.
It goes something like this: Glitchy AI drops a nuke on Los Angeles, killing a million people. As a result, the U.S. outlaws AI and attempts to rid the world of it. Except a more welcoming and progressive country, New Asia, keeps pumping out androids—aka, “simulants” —“more human than human.” Uncle Sam dumps bombs on them from NOMAD, an enormous spaceship ominously hovering like the Death Star.
It’s no surprise that Joshua discovers a weapon of mass destruction, a simulant child he names Alphie (Madeleine Yuna Voyles). The force is strong in that one. She has the ability to control every technology in existence. And she likes to watch cartoons on TV. Some view her as an agent of peace, others as a terrorist. Joshua decides to save her, and they go rogue on a quest to find his ex-wife (Gemma Chan). Joshua and Alphie are basically Joel and Ellie from HBO’s “The Last of Us,” embarking on a road trip with the American military in pursuit instead of fungus zombies. They must avoid NOMAD, with Allison Janney doing her best Stephen Lang (“Avatar”) impression in leading the ground hunt. Ken Watanabe (“The Last Samurai”) lends gravitas, playing the leader of a group of rebel robots.
The first two acts of the movie are absorbing, with all the detailed world-building, special effects, and thoughtful ethical concerns imaginable. Edwards creates a world in which the United States is the villain. Provocative stuff, for sure. Now, imagine how deflated you feel when the wheels fly off during the last act of a bloated 133-minute grind, falling victim to the pitfalls of mechanical screenwriting. Cliches abound, as do unearned (read: eye-rolling) emotional comeuppances, despite a game performance from Washington (“Tenet”). ChatGPT probably could have written less of a clusterfuck finale.
‘The Creator’
Screened for review Sept. 21 at AMC Boston Common.
Rating: PG-13 for violence, some bloody images, and strong language
Cast: John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, Sturgill Simpson, Madeleine Yuna Voyles, and Allison Janney.
Director: Gareth Edwards
Writer: Gareth Edwards and Chris Weitz
Running time: 133 minutes
Where to watch: In theaters
Grade: B-
Boston Movie News 