REVIEW — “The Creator”

Travis Dale • September 27, 2023 • 0

With influences ranging from Blade Runner and Chappie to Elysium and The Golden Child comes director/co-writer Gareth Edwards’ epic sci-fi action thriller, The Creator.

A scene still from 20th Century Studios’ THE CREATOR. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Set in 2070, The Creator takes place amid a future war between the human race and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) that consists of clunky robots and more human than human “simulants” that are identical to humans except for round, metallic holes at the base of their necks. Simulants are outlawed in the west after taking control of US defense systems and launching a nuclear attack that decimated Los Angeles. However, the humanoid AI are allowed to live freely in “New Asia.”

John David Washington as Joshua in 20th Century Studios’ THE CREATOR. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

After learning of the existence of a mysterious weapon with the power to end mankind, Joshua (John David Washington), a hardened ex-special forces agent grieving the disappearance of his wife (Gemma Chan), is sent on a mission into AI-occupied “New Asia” to hunt down and kill the mysterious creator of the advanced AI known as Nirmata.

Gemma Chan as Maya in 20th Century Studios’ THE CREATOR. Photo by Oren Soffer. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Deep across enemy lines with an elite team, Joshua discovers the world-ending weapon is an AI in the form of a young girl (Madeleine Yuma Voyles) that may know the whereabouts of his wife. On the run from heavily-armed AI and his own operatives, Joshua forms a bond with the machine, Alpha O (whom he nicknames Alphie), and is forced to make an unexpected choice.

Madeleine Yuna Voyles as Alphie in 20th Century Studios’ THE CREATOR. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

If anything, The Creator is a visual masterpiece. With more reliance placed on real world scenery than green-screen backgrounds and an overabundance of CGI, the Rogue One and Godzilla director delivers a thrilling sci-fi blockbuster that feels intimate and looks authentic. Edwards actually shot the film in exotic locations across eight different countries. Blending futuristic inner cities with rich Asian landscapes, the film features Indonesian volcanoes, Himalayan Buddhist temples, Cambodian ruins, and the floating villages of Thailand.

Washington delivers an impressive focused and empathetic performance as a renegade operative with a conscience; however, it is newcomer Voyles that really shines in affecting scenes during the film’s emotional finale. Also starring Ken Watanabe, Sturgill Simpson, and Allison Janney in well-cast supporting roles, The Creator is an emotionally compelling and action-packed science fiction spectacle that balances the perfect blend of practical and computer generated effects. While gloomy at times, Gareth Edwards’ The Creator gives life to an impressive new level of intelligent, cinematic, sci-fi that lesser directors will, no doubt, try to replicate in the future. 4/5

(L-R): John David Washington as Joshua and Madeleine Yuna Voyles as Alphie in 20th Century Studios’ THE CREATOR. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

With a running time of 2 hours, 13 minutes, the film from 20th Century Studios, New Regency, and Entertainment One is rated PG-13 for violence, some bloody images and strong language.
The Creator opens in theaters on September 29, 2023.