Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 4:06 pm
Jennifer Lopez’s venture into a multi-year collaboration with Netflix hasn’t kicked off on a positive note. Following the lukewarm reception of the thriller “The Mother” and the ridicule faced by her autobiographical drama “This Is Me…Now,” particularly for a scene where she extensively discusses her hair, both parties are undoubtedly hoping for better fortunes with “Atlas,” the latest science fiction film delving into our apprehension about Artificial Intelligence supplanting humans.
In “Atlas,” Lopez takes on the role of Atlas Shepherd, a data analyst residing in a futuristic world scarred by an AI revolt that resulted in widespread casualties. With a close tie to the rebel leader in exile, Harland (portrayed by Simu Liu), she is recruited by the military for a mission aimed at apprehending him. However, the mission goes awry, compelling Atlas to rely on the very technology she disdains to ensure her survival. Given its reported $100 million budget, one can only hope that Lopez received substantial compensation for this cinematic misstep.
The narrative heavily draws inspiration from classic science fiction tropes but falls far short of achieving classic status. While the visual effects are striking, they tend to overwhelm, and any potential for meaningful discourse on our dependence on technology is overshadowed by tired genre clichés and a lack of substantial character development. The ensemble cast is let down by a screenplay that feels hastily assembled, almost as if generated by an AI application.
Lines like “big talk coming from a head in a suitcase” are cringe-inducing. Lopez brings passion to the role, delivering impassioned monologues about AI’s worst-case scenarios, yet her character often seems limited to looking concerned under impeccable lighting. Sterling K. Brown and Mark Strong accept roles beneath their capabilities, while Marvel actor Liu portrays the antagonist with a more sinister touch reminiscent of a menacing Vulcan.
“Atlas” falls short of being an intriguing exploration of AI, opting instead for superficial spectacle. It’s less “I, Robot” and more “Why, Robot?” — a laughably misguided project that mistakes a large budget for creative vision.
By Benjamin
Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 4:06 pm
Jennifer Lopez’s venture into a multi-year collaboration with Netflix hasn’t kicked off on a positive note. Following the lukewarm reception of the thriller “The Mother” and the ridicule faced by her autobiographical drama “This Is Me…Now,” particularly for a scene where she extensively discusses her hair, both parties are undoubtedly hoping for better fortunes with “Atlas,” the latest science fiction film delving into our apprehension about Artificial Intelligence supplanting humans.
In “Atlas,” Lopez takes on the role of Atlas Shepherd, a data analyst residing in a futuristic world scarred by an AI revolt that resulted in widespread casualties. With a close tie to the rebel leader in exile, Harland (portrayed by Simu Liu), she is recruited by the military for a mission aimed at apprehending him. However, the mission goes awry, compelling Atlas to rely on the very technology she disdains to ensure her survival. Given its reported $100 million budget, one can only hope that Lopez received substantial compensation for this cinematic misstep.
The narrative heavily draws inspiration from classic science fiction tropes but falls far short of achieving classic status. While the visual effects are striking, they tend to overwhelm, and any potential for meaningful discourse on our dependence on technology is overshadowed by tired genre clichés and a lack of substantial character development. The ensemble cast is let down by a screenplay that feels hastily assembled, almost as if generated by an AI application.
Lines like “big talk coming from a head in a suitcase” are cringe-inducing. Lopez brings passion to the role, delivering impassioned monologues about AI’s worst-case scenarios, yet her character often seems limited to looking concerned under impeccable lighting. Sterling K. Brown and Mark Strong accept roles beneath their capabilities, while Marvel actor Liu portrays the antagonist with a more sinister touch reminiscent of a menacing Vulcan.
“Atlas” falls short of being an intriguing exploration of AI, opting instead for superficial spectacle. It’s less “I, Robot” and more “Why, Robot?” — a laughably misguided project that mistakes a large budget for creative vision.