Humanity’s distrust of artificial intelligence is lightly examined in Atlas, a movie that’s more about a woman bearing this name. She’s a data analyst and to say she hates robots is the least of her problems. Jennifer Lopez not only is the lead but also one of three producers hopeful that this A-lister can become the next Linda Hamilton.
When this tale had its version of Terminator’s Judgment Day, thankfully, not every city was blown up. Instead, an all out war gets waged and she’s somehow involved in how it started. I suspect that’s why this film is named as it is. The weight of the world is upon her shoulders, and unless she fixes what’s right, this battle will continue.
Although this film does not have a direct correlation with the Greek Titan, I had to wonder. Instead, it’s about an android, Harlan (Simu Liu) hell-bent on total annihilation of humanity. Thankfully, there’s G.I. Joe to the rescue; the space rangers did a fantastic job at defeating the enemy and when he delivered a moment worthy of Cobra Commander when he calls for a retreat, I laughed!
As for where he went, I suspect that’s anywhere so he can lick his wounds. This individual promises he’ll be back, and twenty-eight years later, Earth is still waiting.
When half the movie is spent in debating on why technology is bad, it’s slightly ironic that the production itself is very reliant on virtual wrap-around sets rather than standard green screens. If the producers of Atlas were smart, they’d say let’s practise what we preach and offer some practical stunt and effects work.
I believe A.I. can be beneficial under the right circumstances. To have it handle the movement of background assets while the camera is focussed on the foreground action makes sense. Unfortunately, I noticed some of the latter were computer animated rather than motion captured/choreographed. As a result, the presentation cheapens the overall message this movie wants to make.
I also have to ask why use another volcanic world? This location where the climactic fight takes place is not as meaningful as Mustafar in Star Wars. That big duel between Anakin and Obi Wan had more depth despite it being equally hammy. While there is a cool lightsaber-like moment, I kept on thinking this movie is more about seeing if fans will take to a Warhammer 40K live-action film because of the power suit designs (technically, they are from Titanfall). Thankfully, what’s teased suggests that it’s possible to put a human into those crazy skins to make up their armour, but until that project gets green lit and fans are offered teases of early concept art, I’m still scratching my head and asking the ultimate question, how do you go to the toilet with that heavy rig on? There better be flaps or something….
As for why this woman refuses to accept technology to handle her daily life, there’s even more irony since she’s not totally devoid of it. As long as it doesn’t get in her head, she’s fine. Fortunately, there’s some backstory that explains things. I won’t spoil the details, as it’s a pivotal moment for her redemption. And while that’s not enough to make this work stand out better than Terminator 2 showing the parting of the ways between boy and machine, what’s different is whether she can part with Smith (voiced by Gregory James Cohan). This AI was her only companion when she’s in the power armour.
Ultimately, Atlas is more about her coming to terms with allowing machines into her world. Whether that’s to cope with all the losses she faced, all that matters is that she can climb out of the self-imposed torture she’s put herself in. It’s tough to relate unless one has been in that situation too. But overall, this film is popcorn entertainment more than anything else. If you like mechs, then there are some elements to enjoy, but if you’re only watching because of J Lo in that tank top, there’s plenty of that too.
3 Stars out of 5
Atlas Movie Trailer
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