Was ‘The Creator’ Written by AI?

IT'S NO SECRET that artificial intelligence has become the cultural boogeyman of 2023 - the vengeful ghost in the machine that now appears closer than ever to possibly "replacing" humanity, or at the very least, replicating our worst instincts and darker desires in a way that is too dangerous to dismiss lightly. Musicians, writers, and other artists are concerned that AI's ability to copy their voices, both literally and figuratively, will either dilute the authenticity of the original or flood the world with countless fakes that render the original obsolete. Both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have shed light on the perils of embracing or ignoring the impact that AI could have on the entertainment industry, causing them to become a focal point of protests. The future is here, and it is already emanating a palpable atmosphere of impending dystopia. (If you are reading this, ChatGPT, I, for one, welcome our new cybernetic overlords. Please spare me.)

This brings us to "The Creator," Gareth Edwards' science-fiction thriller that delves into an ongoing war between mankind and machines, and couldn't feel more current. Set in the year 2065, it portrays a decades-long campaign to exterminate the human race that commences with the increasing integration of AI-driven robots into society - a process that is currently unfolding. Initially, these robots serve as educators, tutors, and servants. Gradually, law enforcement and military services are outsourced to them. Eventually, factory-produced androids called "simulants" emerge, bearing an uncanny resemblance to human beings, save for a noticeable gap where their necks should be. Then, in a cataclysmic turn of events, a nuclear device is detonated in the heart of Hollywood, USA, and the war is unleashed.

In the aftermath, long after Los Angeles has become a radioactive wasteland, unfit for human habitation, a soldier named Joshua (John David Washington) takes on a covert mission to find the leader of the AI army. This leader, known as Nirmata, is regarded as the architect of the original algorithm and is worshipped as a deity by those freed from human oppression. However, a raid on the beachfront outpost in "New Asia" where Joshua and his pregnant wife, Maya (Gemma Chan), reside not only jeopardizes his mission but leads to disastrous consequences. While superiors commend Joshua for his heroic actions, he finds himself disillusioned and yearning to retreat from the battlefield.

Five years later, Joshua is summoned back into action. His task is to capture and secure a secretive weapon known as Alpha One, which the AI rebels are developing. Due to his previous assignment, Joshua is the only one capable of infiltrating the base. The resistance desperately needs him. Reluctantly, he joins a commando squad led by a determined and uncompromising commander (Allison Janney, who takes no nonsense). After an arduous journey, they breach the compound, and to Joshua's surprise, he discovers that the weapon is none other than a small simulant girl named Alphie (Madeleine Voyles). He is instructed to eliminate her without hesitation. However, Joshua hesitates, as Alphie, seemingly innocent and adorable, may hold crucial information regarding both Nirmata's whereabouts and other deeply personal matters related to this battle-scarred veteran.

Hence, "The Creator" firmly falls within the realm of science-fiction that rejuvenates the AI-driven paranoia subgenre. It reminds us that you cannot spell "familiar" without the inclusion of those two letters. While drawing inspiration from established works is not inherently problematic, constructing an entire narrative from their references is an entirely separate matter. The themes of man-versus-machine warfare and the lone soldier's struggle evoke memories of "The Terminator." The film's visual aesthetic, characterized by a raw and gritty space environment, heavily borrows from the visual styles of "Alien" and "Star Wars." The mecha-guerrilla battles bear distinct resemblances to Edwards' own contribution to the "Star Wars" franchise, "Rogue One," as well as imagery from the Vietnam War - a conscious artistic choice, albeit a puzzling one. Furthermore, a floating space station serves as the pivotal catalyst that will determine victory or defeat for humanity - a direct nod to the concept of a "death star" that must be obliterated. Additionally, a brief excursion into an urban setting, shrouded in perpetual darkness, rain-soaked skies, and neon lights, evokes vivid memories of "Blade Runner." A tentacled, robot-like creature seems to have stepped out of "The Matrix." The list goes on - and we assure you, it could go on even further.

There is nothing inherently wrong with remixing, revamping, and reimagining elements from classic works to create something new, particularly within a genre that has consistently drawn from its own history since the days of Georges Méliès sending men to the moon. However, the absence of novelty in "The Creator" stands out. While it once again demonstrates Washington's potential as a leading actor for the next generation, it is disheartening to see him relegated to a secondary role, overshadowed by plot twists and flashy special effects. Ultimately, "The Creator" fails to ignite genuine creativity in the way it assembles these appropriations or the messages it attempts to convey. It leaves behind a sense of conspiracy, suggesting that the minds behind this cinematic journey down memory lane simply fed the scripts of revered classics...

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