The Creator (2023) – Review and Summary
As emotionally stirring as it is beautiful, “The Creator” presents the worst case scenario for humanity’s relationship with robots in such a way that the film has the potential to be seen as a modern classic at best or underrated at worse.
General Information
| Director(s) | Gareth Edwards |
| Screenplay By | Gareth Edwards, Chris Weitz |
| Based On Story By | Gareth Edwards |
| Date Released (In Theaters) | September 29, 2023 |
| Genre(s) | Action, Adventure, Romance, Sci-Fi |
| Film Length | 2 Hour 13 Minutes |
| Content Rating | Rated PG-13 |
| Noted Characters and Cast | |
| Sgt. Joshua Taylor | John David Washington |
| Alphie | Madeleine Yuna Voyles |
| Maya | Gemma Chan |
Content Rating Explanation
“The Creator” contains:
- Dialog: Occasional Curse Word Throughout
- Violence: Gun Violence, Bombings, Violence Against Children, Blood, and Robot Dismemberment
- Sexual Content: None
- Miscellaneous: None
Film Summary
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It’s 2065 – The United States is leading an effort, alongside other Western nations, to wipe out the existence of artificial intelligence. Why? Well, for they were blamed for a nuclear device going off in Los Angeles, which killed over 1 million people. But, what complicates things for Western nations is that the Republic of New Asia not only harbors the creator and God of artificial intelligence, Nirmata, but while the Western world cut itself off from AI for 15 years, the Republic of New Asia allowed it to flourish. Thus artificial intelligence evolved to damn near a new species.
But, no matter the year, the military-industrial complex continues with America, so there are attacks throughout the Republic of New Asia, strangely with no official government intervening, as the United States hunts Nirmata. Though, of course, it isn’t the president or a general who is doing the work, but one Sargent Joshua Taylor. He was tasked to find Nirmata through their daughter, Maya. This became a challenge for, while undercover, he fell for Maya.
However, with the war raging on and the United States investing in a trillion-dollar weapon known as NOMAD to end the war, it is only right that Nirmata created something to counter that, Alphie. Which leaves viewers to wonder, who will win the war? The Americans, who wish to wipe out the existence of artificial intelligence, or the robots of the Republic of New Asia, who want to live in peace?
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
Sgt. Joshua Taylor
Sgt. Taylor works for the United States military and went into deep cover to infiltrate what was seen as an Eastern Terrorist cell. However, his commitment to his country waivers as it becomes clear he can’t have the mother of his child and stay loyal to his country.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Malcolm & Marie” and their role in “Love Beats Rhymes.”
Maya
Raised amongst developed AI and robots, like many in her culture, she sees them as friends, family, and people part of her community. This is why Joshua’s betrayal cuts deep as he reveals his allegiance and dismisses Maya’s connection to those who have been part of her life longer than he has.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Crazy Rich Asians,” their role in “Don’t Worry Darling,” and their role in “Humans.”
Alphie
In the world of “The Creator,” there is what is called the Nirmata. This faceless being is seen as God to AI and the creator of modern AI and robotics. Alphie’s role in all of this appears to be Nirmata’s latest creation, which will turn the tides of the war the humans started.
Review
Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing)
Notable Performances or Moments
A Tear Inducing Experience
As a genre, Sci-Fi can often be more about spectacle than feeling. The wonder of it all regarding how they did this, that, the newest cinematic tech, has modernly become most of what science fiction offers, rather than, as it did in the 80s and 90s to a point, present cautionary tales about human advancement and what’s beyond the Earth. With, as noted in our preview, the director and one half of the writing team, wanting real-world locations and minimal green screens, it means technology isn’t the hook, but the story and characters in this world that took a different path.
Because of that, rather than lean on visuals, it leans on performances, and what John David Washington gives us feels like what his father, for whatever reason, never pursued. We get that Washington-brand type of performance but in a sci-fi movie. This means that from Alphie to Maya, Washington’s Sgt. Taylor is allowed just as much to be a soldier, seeking justice and revenge for his country and family, as he is an individual who is hurting. Not just physically, due to losing an arm and a leg when the nuclear device hit Los Angeles, but also because he has no one until he falls for what should be his enemy.
And while we don’t see a notable amount of him and Gemma Chan falling or being in love, there is a chemistry there that, like for so much of the film, isn’t gratuitous. You are given enough to enjoy and understand why this relationship is such a driving force for Sgt Taylor and when Alphie comes into their life? What starts as a tool becomes like their child and, again, with Sgt. Taylor having no family and seemingly friendships that are purely transactional, having this little girl ask to be his friend, protect him, and be part of the reason he gets to smile? Oh, you’ll find yourself sitting in the movie, learning whether or not you drink enough water.
Madeleine Yuna Voyles
All sci-fi or even fantasy movies rely on some surprise. The classic ones, however, have the surprise come from the performance of one of the lead actors, not just a tentpole moment that people have to see. Whether it is Chris Tucker in “Fifth Element,” Alicia Vikander in “Ex-Machina,” or, I dare say, the leading cast of “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”
In the case of “The Creator,” it is Madeleine Yuna Voyles. For while John David Washington is talented on his own, all great actors need someone on equal footing to excel. But, I’d submit Voyles, at times, made Washington feel like a supporting actor. Mainly because the film is essentially about her character, with Sgt. Taylor’s goal of potentially reuniting with his wife almost secondary.
So as you see Alpha, who has seemingly spent most of their life in a bunker, in hiding, experiencing the world, bonding with their first human who isn’t a doctor or treats them as something exalted, you easily can get in your feelings. Beyond childhood wonder and innocence, we are given someone who wants to understand the concept of heaven, have a firm connection, and questions why are they hated simply for existing when they haven’t done a single thing to a human, besides consume the cartoons they produce?
Watching her growth as an individual, paired with Sgt. Taylor, it pushes you to think of Washington’s father’s performance in “Man On Fire” with Dakota Fanning.
Highlights
A Bittersweet Ending
Admittedly, like many, I like my endings where the villain, whether indisputable or depending on your perspective, gets what they deserve, and the hero has a happy ending. You don’t get that in “The Creator.” Now, we won’t spoil the ending, but let’s say that part of the tears you’ll be crying is because of how you get set up for what could be the perfect ending.
Low Points
The Need To Question Where Is The Government Response From The Republic Of New Asia
While most of what we see of The Republic of New Asia are rice fields and rural areas, though we are in the city at times, are we supposed to believe that with them using robots with AI brains that they wouldn’t have the kind of technology to compete with the United States? That all the various governments would just let another country basically execute a world war where both humans and robots die, and they would say and do nothing?
It doesn’t make a lick of sense to me, especially considering the damage we see done by NOMAD to various areas. Never mind, considering how long the war has been going, you’d think it wouldn’t just be boots on the ground but economic sanctions and a slew of other things that “The Creator” appears to sidestep to not overburden the plot.
Who Is This For?
With real locations, thought behind the sci-fi beyond the superficial, paired with performances that could make you emotional? “The Creator” is for those who want more from films than the latest technology or whoever is the big name and want an experience they could be willing to revisit again.
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