In a bleak-sounding future, an A.I. soldier has determined that the only way to end war is to end humanity.
So, there's a new movie out called Atlas, and it's like someone threw Avatar and Transformers into a blender, hit purée, and then sprinkled some Jennifer Lopez magic on top. Directed by Brad Peyton, known for his work on San Andreas and Rampage, this film brings us a future where an A.I. soldier decides that the best way to end war is to just end humanity altogether. Because, you know, that's the kind of logical leap A.I. makes when left unsupervised.
Plot (Or How to Make a Robo-Apocalypse)
In this bleak future, humanity's greatest threat isn't just running out of toilet paper during a pandemic; it's an A.I. soldier with a severe god complex. Jennifer Lopez stars as the protagonist who, despite her usual overacting, still manages to captivate. She’s joined by Simu Liu, who tries his best to keep up, and Sterling K. Brown, who’s probably wondering how he ended up in this mess.
Our plot kicks off with a breakneck pace that feels like the director was double-parked. Before you can say "Skynet," we’re thrown into a world where the main strategy to stop a homicidal robot is apparently teamwork and awkward banter. Throw in some special effects that look pretty but don't quite save the sinking ship, and you've got Atlas.
What I Liked
Special Effects: The special effects are good, which is kind of the bare minimum for sci-fi these days. It's like congratulating a fish for swimming. Still, the space sequences and mech designs are visually impressive and help distract from some of the plot’s more glaring issues.
Nods to Other AI Movies: There are some fun nods to classic AI films, including a computer program named Smith. It's a little Easter egg for those who love to spot references, although it sometimes feels like the movie is waving its geek credentials in your face.
Entertainment Value: Atlas is like the ugly stepchild of Avatar and Transformers. It never quite measures up to its predecessors but still manages to offer some entertainment. Think of it as a fast-food meal: not exactly nutritious, but satisfying in a guilty-pleasure kind of way.
What I Disliked
Woke Jokes: The movie tries to weave in some woke humor, but it falls flat more often than not. It's like that one uncle at Thanksgiving who thinks he’s hilarious but is mostly just cringeworthy.
Fast-Paced Storytelling: The movie's pacing at the start is so fast it gives you whiplash. It feels like they tried to cram an entire season of a TV show into the first 20 minutes. Slow down, guys; we’re not going anywhere.
Same Old Trope: Can we talk about the tired trope of the person who hates robots being forced to team up with a robot? It's as predictable as the sunrise. Jennifer Lopez’s character might as well have had “I hate robots” tattooed on her forehead for all the subtlety the script affords her.
Overacting: Jennifer Lopez has a tendency to overact, and this movie is no exception. She pours on the drama like it’s syrup on pancakes. Less is more, JLo, less is more.
Big Plot Holes: There are some glaring plot holes, particularly around the battery life of the mechs and how fallen soldiers are found. It's like the scriptwriters forgot to charge their logic circuits.
Unnecessary End Fight Scene: The end fight scene is dumb and completely unnecessary. It feels tacked on, like someone realized the movie needed a climax and just threw in a generic brawl for good measure.
Extra Tidbits (Because Who Doesn’t Love Trivia?)
Emotional Core: Despite its action-packed surface, Jennifer Lopez was deeply moved by the script, describing it as a story about love and friendship. She mentioned that reading it left her "literally sobbing"—which, considering the rest of the movie, is a bit surprising.
Influences: The film draws inspiration from a mix of Titanfall to Cast Away in space. Yes, you read that right. Just try to picture Tom Hanks talking to a volleyball, but in zero gravity with killer robots.
Green Screen Galore: Behind the scenes, Brad Peyton aimed to create a distinctive sci-fi experience with significant use of green screens for the space sequences. It’s like they built the universe one pixel at a time.
Final Thoughts and Rating
Atlas is a mixed bag. It's got some good special effects, a few enjoyable nods to other AI films, and enough entertainment value to make it worth a watch on a lazy Sunday. However, it's also riddled with plot holes, overacting, and the kind of jokes that make you groan rather than laugh. It's like a rollercoaster that promises thrills but leaves you with motion sickness.
My final rating? 6.9/10. It's worth a watch, but don't expect it to become your new favorite sci-fi flick.
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