Watch TrailerThe Creator Movie Review: This year alone, we’ve had two films that showcase mankind and its connection with upgrading technology. On the one hand, there was Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer which narrated the events that unfolded in physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer’s life and the impact of science on mankind. On the other hand, we watched Tom Cruise tackle a powerful AI system gone rogue in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. In both cases, technology was shown as an ‘enemy’. However, director Gareth Edwards looks at technology and AI advancements with a softer lens in The Creator, making the film one of those rare sci-fi movies that you emotionally connect with.
The Creator, a 20th Century Studios movie, is set in the future where robots and humans co-exist. However, there is a war between America and New Asia. While America is against the AI world, New Asia adapted them into their eco-system and made them family. Unhappy with New Asia’s approach to AI, America launches war against them. Many AI robots and families who co-exist are impacted by the war, including Joshua (John David Washington), and his wife Maya (Gemma Chan).
Grieving the sudden disappearance of his wife, Joshua joins hands with the US military to recover a secret weapon that New Asia is developing and in the process, he tries to track his wife down. In the process, he comes across an AI child and realises his bigger goal in life.
The Creator is a visually stunning and a well thought-out original film which gives the viewer a refreshing theatrical experience. The credit goes to director Gareth Edwards’ visualisation and writing, which he co-wrote with Chris Weitz. The film goes against the tide of showing AI and technology as a villain, adding an element of humanity to the AI characters. The film connects with you, almost making you want the whole set up to be real some day. The character arcs, although small, are thought through, giving each prominent actor a space to perform.
Gemma Chan and John David Washington are the head and shoulder of the film, propelling the storytelling process. However, the little Madeleine Yuna Voyles, who plays the role of Alfie — the AI child — is the soul of the film. She keeps the film together from the moment she comes on screen. You will find yourself rooting for her, smiling with her and even crying with her at a point. Her relationship with every character she meets is heartwarming and makes you connect with her on a deeper level. She lights up the screen every time she is in the frame and her innocence is beautifully kept intact, almost making you forget that she is supposed to play a robot. Ken Watanabe as Karun stands out in every scene that he is in, often overshadowing John David Washington.
Kudos to the filmmaker for opting to shooting the film in real locations instead of using VFX. The Creator is set in major parts of South and East Asia. The filmmaker not only incorporates visuals of these worlds but also the nuances of these worlds, that elevates the experience. Credit also goes to cinematographers Greig Fraser and Oren Soffer, and the VFX team for the visual delight.
A special mention to the brilliant Hans Zimmer for the score of the film. While the background music throughout the film grabbed attention, it was the music in the pre-climax scenes that impressed me the most.
Bottomline: The Creator will be going down as one of the most memorable movies this year, purely for its out of the box approach to futuristic AI movies and the larger than life, optimistic approach to AI. It is one of those movies that will remain with you long after you’ve left the cinema hall.
