Whose Side Are You On?
4.5 / 5
Directed by Gareth Edwards.
Against the backdrop of a war between humans and robots with artificial intelligence, a former soldier finds the secret weapon, a robot in the form of a young child.
A stunning reminder that boldly original films can still make it out of a modern studio system, The Creator takes its larger-than-life setting and despite being infused with distinct science fiction tells a story that feels very relevant as we take our first steps into understanding the impact of Artificial Intelligence.
Gareth Edwards returns to the screen for a sci-fi epic that may match the scale of his Star Wars or Godzilla work but comes in at a fraction of the budget - using a range of intuitive filmmaking techniques to keep costs down without sacrificing quality or impact. Using entry-level cameras may have been a risky choice but paired with masterful cinematography by Greig Fraser and Oren Soffer and choosing to film on location with a minimal crew - the results speak for themselves.
John David Washington gives a demanding central performance, grounding this huge adventure as he brings the action gravitas while also carrying the necessary emotional weight. But it is Madeleine Yuna Voyles who steals the film and the hearts of audiences. As her character learns, grows and evolves, so does the range of her performance - I know that there was not a dry eye in the house come the third act.
I hope Hollywood learns the right lessons from The Creator. Allow filmmakers to experiment and try original ideas with appropriate budgets that do not restrict but rather invoke innovation. Will it work every time? Almost certainly not. But when it does, the potential is limitless.
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