Jennifer Lopez takes on the part of a hesitant warrior in the sci-fi action movie “Atlas.” In spite of her attempts to give a compelling performance, the film doesn’t leave a lasting impact.
Jennifer Lopez Challenges Artificial Intelligence in “Atlas,” But the Film Fails to Leave a Lasting Impression
BY Fareedat Taofeeq
June 20, 2024
9:56 am
In a futuristic dystopian setting, “Atlas” portrays a society where advanced robots with artificial intelligence have rebelled against humans, causing widespread devastation. The story focuses on a counter-terrorism expert, portrayed by Jennifer Lopez, who sets out on a quest to apprehend a hard-to-catch AI terrorist called Harlan, played by Simu Liu. The movie’s concept, which offers a mix of exciting action and insightful social analysis, ultimately disappoints because of poor writing and shallow characters.
The film starts with an exciting premise, presenting a world where artificial intelligence has taken over, leading to a destroyed Earth. It is Jennifer Lopez’s role as Atlas Shepherd to locate Harlan, a renegade AI who has escaped beyond the solar system. Accompanied by a group of soldiers, Atlas journeys to a dangerous planet with severe weather conditions like lightning storms, tornadoes, sinkholes, and glaciers. The film does not hesitate to display these sci-fi aspects, but they do not contribute to the story’s complexity.
One of the central themes of Atlas is the uneasy alliance between humans and AI. Lopez’s character must team up with an AI system housed within a massive mechanical suit to survive the mission. This dynamic is intended to explore the potential for cooperation between humans and technology. However, the screenplay lacks the nuance and sophistication needed to effectively tackle such complex themes. The dialogue often feels forced and unconvincing, detracting from the film’s intended message.
Despite its ambitious premise, “Atlas” struggles to deliver a coherent and engaging narrative. The film’s screenplay suffers from a lack of depth and originality. It borrows heavily from other sci-fi films such as “After Earth” (2013) and “Chappie” (2015), but it fails to offer anything new or innovative. The result is a predictable storyline that leaves little room for surprise or intrigue.
Brad Peyton, famed for his work on “Rampage” (2018), brings his unique combination of impressive visual effects and exciting action sequences to “Atlas”. While they are visually impressive, these components have little influence on the film’s overall quality. The action scenes, although well-executed, lack the emotional depth required for true impact.
The film’s few attractive elements include Jennifer Lopez’s standout performance as an actress. Despite the script not fully supporting her, she maintains a serious and determined attitude in her role. Her character’s transformation from uncertainty to wholeheartedly accepting AI is portrayed by her, yet it appears rushed and lacking in depth. The supporting cast, like Simu Liu playing the villain Harlan, deliver strong performances but are limited by the weak script.
The movie missed another opportunity to explore artificial intelligence and its impact on humanity. Rather than exploring the ethical and philosophical issues surrounding AI, “Atlas” opts for a more superficial examination. The interactions between Lopez’s character and the AI suit are intended to be entertaining and cute, but they frequently come across as unoriginal and predictable. The film intends to demonstrate how AI can enhance human skills yet fails to address the potential risks and challenges that come with it.
“Atlas” also finds it challenging to portray personal relationships with precision. The subplot involving Atlas’s loose link to her AI “brother” lacks closure and does not elicit strong emotions. The movie’s attempt to link individual trust problems with broader societal concerns about technology falls short, resulting in a plot that feels disjointed and unconvincing.
“Atlas” is an ambitious science fiction movie that aims high but, ultimately, doesn’t quite meet its goals. While Jennifer Lopez gives a powerful performance and the film has stunning visual effects, it fails to impress due to its lackluster script and uninspired storytelling.
The movie might provide some entertainment for fans, but it’s not likely to be memorable.
Release date: May 24, 2024
Streaming service: Netflix
Runtime: 2 hours, 5 minutes
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Gregory James Cohan, Sterling K. Brown, Simu Liu, Abraham Popoola, Mark Strong, Lana Parilla
Director: Brad Peyton
TNR Scorecard:
3.5/5