The Creator – An Original Yet Flawed Sci-Fi Blockbuster

The Creator is the latest original sci-fi epic from director Gareth Edwards, who steps behind the camera for the first time since 2016’s Rogue One. Set in a distant future shaped by a war between the human race and the forces of an artificial intelligence, tjhe story follows ex-special forces agent Joshua Taylor (Washington) who is recruited by two U.S. Army generals Howell (Allison Janney) and Andrews (Ineson) to hunt down and kill the “creator”, who has developed a mysterious weapon in the form of a child (Voyles) with the power to end the war by destroying mankind itself. The film has generated a wide range of different reactions over the past few weeks ranging from extremely positive to frustratingly disappointed. After seeing the final product, it’s very easy to see that division but despite its flaws, it’s so refreshing to see an original sci-fi epic on the big screen with a modest budget and visual effects that look better than most blockbusters. Although flawed, it deserves to be seen and supported on the big screen, so studios know that audiences want more of this.

Like all of Edwards’ previous films, The Creator is a visual marvel especially considering the fact that it only cost $80 million to make which is less than half or a third of what most big budget blockbusters cost these days. Every single visual effect looks incredible especially the robot designs that are blended in so well with the practical work and backgrounds. Its visuals truly put most other modern blockbusters to shame, especially with the cost of some of recent high-profile releases from just this past year. Edwards and co-writer Chris Weitz have created another fascinating world featuring impressive and creative world building although some of it may seem a little familiar. All the best sci-fi features have worlds that audiences want to spend more time in and see more from, and this fits nicely alongside those films. Meanwhile, the action sequences are impressive with each new sequence topping the last. Well-shot, tying it all together is another excellent score from Hans Zimmer.

The performances, for the most part, are good. While Washington hasn’t quite found his defining role yet, he’s once again rock solid, delivering one of his better performances to date. Taylor might not be written the best or have as much development as he should, but Washington brings a lot more to him than what was on the page and handles himself during the film’s emotional moments. However, Voyles absolutely steals the show and gives the best performance in the entire film as Alphie in her first feature role. The relationship between Taylor and Alphie is undeniably the heart of the film and though they could’ve had even more scenes, that dynamic was easily the best part of the film. Chan, as Maya, was solid with not that much to do while Allison Janney, in a much different role than many would expect, is a major standout as this ruthless but compelling Colonel Howell.

Where The Creator falls short is mainly within its script and third act. While it is amazing to see an original sci-fi film not part of an established world or franchise release on the big screen nowadays, there’s no denying how derivative and familiar certain aspects are. There are far too many similarities to other sci-fi films that it is impossible not to notice its inspirations and despite its awesome worldbuilding, it doesn’t help that the story is on the predictable side. The characters aren’t given nearly as much development as they should, and come off as shallow but pretty fascinating on the surface especially Janney’s Colonel Howell, who was practically begging to have more screentime.

The first two acts of this are great but the film’s flaws become more apparent as it approaches its rushed and choppy third act. It appears like this film was chopped down from a much longer runtime, perhaps 3-4 hours. Though a lot of character work and certain storylines were cut short, this was most noticeable in that third act where things are given very little time to breathe. Everything feels so rushed and certain decisions made by some of the characters come out of nowhere or aren’t earned at all. Despite the film desperately trying to make audiences feel something, it’s a shame that most of it comes off as emotionally hollow with very little impact in the more emotional moments especially in its conclusion.

In the end, The Creator may be flawed and not quite live up to the growing hype surrounding it, but it is still the type of original sci-fi audiences rarely get to see on the big screen anymore. Even though its writing, story, and characters could’ve used some work, its visuals, worldbuilding, and solid performances make this worth the trip. While not perfect, it is still a film that is worth supporting, if only to get a lot more original sci-fi in the near future.

still courtesy of 20th Century Studios

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Connor Carey

www.connorsmoviereviews.com/