The Creator Unveiled: An In-Depth Review to Unleash its True Potential

Gareth Edwards, known for his work on established properties in his previous projects, showcases his own creativity in The Creator. This original science fiction film stands out as one of the most captivating, visually stunning, and relevant releases of the year. Edwards' unique approach to storytelling, as seen in his previous works Godzilla and Star Wars, is not surprising to those who appreciate his ability to reinvent familiar narratives.

In The Creator, Edwards adopts a similar style to Rogue One, seamlessly blending futuristic elements with vibrant natural landscapes. Furthermore, he focuses on individual characters and their perspectives, intertwining technology and the state of the world. By delving into personal journeys rather than solely emphasizing global catastrophes, The Creator emerges as a thought-provoking and insightful science fiction film within the studio system.

In a world where technology progressed at an accelerated pace, surpassing our reality, an engaging vintage newsreel introduces the viewers to an alternate reality. In this reality, AI and robots, some resembling humans and referred to as simulants or "sims," have seamlessly integrated into everyday life. However, a catastrophic event takes place in Los Angeles, as a nuclear bomb detonates, leading to a complete ban on AI usage in the United States. Nevertheless, New Asia, a renamed continent reminiscent of Orwell's 1984, continues to allow the legal use and advancement of AI technology. To safeguard the world from the potential dangers of AI development, the United States has constructed a colossal space station called NOMAD. This advanced station possesses the capability to launch international missile strikes as a means of global protection.

This content fragment serves as a worldbuilding aspect for the main story of the movie, centering around Joshua (played by John David Washington), a soldier given the task to find Nirmata, the creator of AI systems who has attained a divine status among robots. Due to a mishap during his mission, Joshua is forced to lay low for five years in his home country before being assigned a new mission, involving the search for a dangerous weapon developed by Nirmata. Unexpectedly, the weapon turns out to be a simulated child. Joshua takes the child, whom he names Alphie, and together they embark on a journey to locate Joshua's wife and find Nirmata.

In today's expanding landscape of stories featuring a man and child on a compelling adventure (reminiscent of The Last of Us, The Mandalorian, and the new Walking Dead spinoff centered around Daryl Dixon), The Creator may initially seem like just another installment in this growing genre. However, what sets The Creator apart is its unique thematic approach, offering a potentially prophetic glimpse into the future, as well as a thought-provoking critique of contemporary US foreign policy.

The correlation between The Creator and the geopolitical landscape leading up to the Vietnam War is evident. In this context, AI serves as a metaphor for communism. At a certain juncture, an American military official declares that the conflict is not directed towards the people of New Asia, but rather the perilous AI they are harboring. The setting of the story, resembling Vietnam albeit unnamed, cleverly highlights the problematic nature of employing US military might to dictate the political fate of another nation. What makes this even more impactful is the absence of catastrophic events like the nuclear explosion in Los Angeles, despite the coexistence of humans and robots in New Asia.

Even amidst its grand themes, The Creator never wavers in highlighting the personal stakes involved. Joshua, portrayed convincingly by Washington, undergoes a profound transformation as his beliefs about technology and the world are thrown into disarray, causing his preconceived notions to fade away. The remaining ensemble delivers consistently exceptional performances. Young talent Madeleine Yuna Voyles brings an endearing childlike curiosity to Alphie, which is beautifully counterbalanced by her serene and meditative composure. In contrast, Allison Janney impressively embodies the role of a villain as Colonel Howell. Janney's portrayal skillfully captures the biting and acerbic nature she is renowned for, while her character fervently believes in the righteousness of her actions and will stop at nothing to accomplish her mission.

The characterization, emotions, and political commentary in The Creator would not have been effective if it wasn't artfully depicted on the screen. Fortunately, Edwards employs a used future aesthetic, similar to the one seen in Star Wars, in The Creator's world. This realm feels like a genuine future, blending pristine and well-funded technology with grimy, worn-out salvaged machinery. The seamless integration of visual effects merges human faces with robotic skeletal structures. Picturesque rural landscapes contrast with towering facilities and futuristic technologies, reminiscent of the artwork by Simon Stålenhag, who also influenced the visuals in Tales From The Loop. Similar to that series, The Creator presents advanced and retro technology simultaneously, such as a curved and aged screen displaying images like an old photograph, thereby giving each scene a tangible texture.

Alongside its powerful commentary and characterization, The Creator stands as an impressive sci-fi blockbuster that knows when to unleash its action-packed sequences and when to exercise restraint, allowing the scenes to breathe. Gareth Edwards may have crafted one of the most exceptional original stories in recent years, deserving of widespread recognition as the year rapidly approaches its end. Amidst two noteworthy Hollywood strikes, The Creator serves as a crucial reminder that passion and creativity are more vital than ever in the realm of big-budget productions.

The Creator opens in theaters on September 29th.

The Creator

Gareth Edwards crafts one of the year's best big-budget movies with The Creator, a timely and meaningful look at technology, geopolitics, and what it means to be human.