Atlas (2024) Review!!

Synopsis – A bleak-sounding future, where an AI soldier has determined that the only way to end war is to end humanity.

My Take – Indeed, a prominent issue in the world today is the use of AI (Artificial intelligence). Whether it’s new inventions, the latest modifications, or just about anything, AI is at the center of it all.

This latest from director Brad Peyton (Rampage, San Andreas) and co-writers Leo Sardarian, known for his work on the Crackle series StartUp, and Aron Eli Coleite, best known for his work on the Netflix series Daybreak and the NBC series Heroes, latches on to one of its biggest concerns: what happens if AI develops to a point where it decides it’s time for eradicate humanity. A concept similarly explored in filmmaker James Cameron‘s much beloved Terminator series.

Acting as an amalgam of better features like I, Robot (2004), Oblivion (2013), and The Creator (2023), along with a dozen others, and of course the much acclaimed first-person shooter video game, Titanfall 2, this latest Netflix release aims to be a solid, pulpy sci-fi action flick.

And it helps that it is headlined by Jennifer Lopez, who provides a committed performance in her second action-packed feature under her current first-look deal with Netflix, following The Mother (2023), a generic thriller that according to the streamer is among its most-watched films ever.

But while it mostly works as a big, loud, action-packed sci-fi blockbuster, it squandered its potential mostly by adopting themes and subtexts that become truly blatant after a point. The film responds to growing anxieties around artificial intelligence by admitting, yes, it could evolve to try and wipe us out. But it can also be helpful if used in the right way.

In the sense, on one side there is an evil and destructive AI, and on the other, a good, reliable AI with which Jennifer Lopez’s titular character goes on a buddy adventure to stop the bad ones.

Beyond the myriad action scenes, the film just stomps about how AI doesn’t hurt society; the people who create it do. In short, the film makes a fairly entertaining watch for action enthusiasts, just leave the messaging at the door.

The story follows Atlas Shepherd (Jennifer Lopez), a top-tier data analyst and respected government operative, with a deep distrust of artificial intelligence. Twenty eight years ago, Atlas’s scientist mother, Val Shepherd (Lana Parrilla), created Harlan (Simu Liu), an artificially intelligent robot, who not only broke free of his programming, but hacked into AI programs worldwide and overrode the protocols that kept humans unharmed.

Leading to a rebellion that left 3 million humans dead before military forces of the then newly formed International Coalition of Nations (ICN) gained control of the situation and turned the tide over, forcing Harlan, deemed as the world’s first AI terrorist, to flee into outer space.

All these years, Atlas had made herself an expert on everything Harlan, and when the interrogation of one of his associates, Casca Decius (Abraham Popoola), reveals a strong possible location on a planet in the Andromeda Galaxy, she forces General Jake Boothe (Mark Strong), her superior and closest to someone she can call a friend, to let her join the mission to recover him.

The mission led by Colonel Elias Banks (Sterling K. Brown), sees him and his platoon embrace a neural link tech and each sync with an AI-powered mecha suit, much to Atlas’s chagrin. However, when an unprecedented situation arrives Atlas is forced to choose whether to trust her suit’s program, Smith (voiced by Gregory James Cohan), as it could determine whether she lives or dies in unknown territory.

Without a doubt, the film is fun when it sticks to the whole “Anti-AI human who is forced to work with AI to survive”- element that was also key to I, Robot (2004), and keeps things pacy and engaging. Sure, the tech levels are as usual all over the place, and most of the background detail are not intelligently written, but what really matters is that the friendship arc between Atlas and Smith really works and you feel their bonding.

Visually, there’s always a lot going on here and is mostly competent. Having worked on two CGI-heavy Dwayne Johnson led features, director Brad Peyton brings his experience to fruition here. The action sequences, particularly in the first hour are excellent, even though they resemble Edge of Tomorrow (2014) in their execution. I also thoroughly enjoyed the imagery of the wild climate infested unknown planet.

But while the premise isn’t bad per say, the film’s messaging and the titular character, upon closer inspection, are indeed poorly developed. Atlas’s introduction is so unnatural that the film doesn’t take the time to make her character arc cohesive or hit any emotional high points. Between lazy character exposition and Atlas’s constant whining, her story about learning to trust others gets lost.

Plus, any time the film tries to ask real and philosophical questions about AI or discuss any thematic ideas, it is quickly pushed aside for a sarcastic exchange or a corny joke about how outdated our current technology is. The film squanders an opportunity to explore what an AI-rich future could look like.

Performance wise, Jennifer Lopez does what she can with the script and does a good job building a reasonable amount of tension in action scenes. Gregory James Cohan does have a smooth voice. Simu Liu doesn’t get enough screen time, yet makes for a good villain.

Sterling K. Brown and Mark Strong are fine in supporting roles, while Abraham Popoola and Lana Parrilla are fairly good in their small roles. On the whole, ‘Atlas’ is a fine enough sci-fi action flick right until it gets into its convoluted and controversial messaging.