I’m not much of a proponent for AI, but I do admit it has positives I cannot deny (let us never underestimate what spell check has done for us, and iif it weren’t for a GPS, I would be disoriented on the road).
AI also has helped tremendously as a subject for film, dating back to its real starting point (in what is arguably still the greatest Sci-Fi film to date) with the HAL 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Since then, AI has been somewhat over used in media, so one may even be excused to think some of what is shown in Gareth Edwards’ The Creator is cliche.
Years after a nuke has blown up Los Angeles, the US has been in a constant war against current Artificial Intellegence, in hopes to eradicate it from the earth. Most of the supporters of the AI is in New Asia, a country on the east coast of Asia. One of the main soldiers for the US is Joshua Taylor (John David Washington), against AI ever since losing his parents in LA (side note: If we lose Denzel in a nuclear bomb, I am so done.)
He is brought back to New Asia when Colonel Howell (Alison Janney) says there is a way to end the war, and possible bring back Taylor’s wife Mya (Gemma Chan). Eventually, he is encountered by an AI child named Alphie (Madeleine Yuna Voyles, very bewitching and talented in her screen debut).
Some have said the negative points of Edwards’ film (his first since Rogue One, a film I am proud to admit I was totally incorrect about on first viewing) is the script (which he indeed wrote). It is not as though I saw any plot holes, and one does have to commend someone for writing a non canon sci film these days. I have yet to hear of anyone bad mouth the CGI. It may not be the type that bowls you over like an Avatar film, but you never once see the film as something that seems like it is a hoax.
Parents, the film is a solid PG-13, with some swearing (one F bomb) and violence. No real sexual content other than some kissing. Middle school and up would be fine.
The timing of this film’s release is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it has been a hot button topic the last few years, especially in Hollywood (the WGA strike that just ended had a majority to due with the use of AI, as does the still on going Actors Strike, both of which I personally support). On the other hand, the way the film views AI is also questionable. AI itself could not have made this film arrive at a more bizarre time.
Either way, the filmmaking is near enthralling (remember the last time you saw an AI suicide bomber? Because I can’t), and the most astonishing thing about it is the film’s budget was only around 80 million dollars.
Overall:
Nothing else to say 