The Creator (2023)

The Plot of The Creator: Because of a nuclear explosion over Los Angeles, apparently initiated by AI people in America, the military are determined to erase all AI people from the world. To do this they have launched a vast weapons system, NOMAD, into low orbit. This craft is capable of launching attacks on New Asia, where AI people live in harmony with the locals. The AI people therefore see the destruction of NOMAD as being their ultimate objective.  Meanwhile Joshua who is an undercover American agent is living in New Asia with his wife Maya who, unbeknown to him is the key to AI survival. She is apparently killed in an American attack, but rumours persist of the existence of a super weapon which will terminate NOMAD. Joshua is sent out into alien territory to find the weapon, and on discovering that it is in fact a child, he first of all kidnaps it, but then the two bond, and as the Americans on the ground and in the air take steps to win the war, they embark on their own path of retribution.

Content of The Creator: There is no sex or nudity, or drug taking but I think a bit of drinking. There are numerous small scale attacks by American troops, harking back to scenes from the Vietnam War. Even if we have not seen film of actual attacks we’ve seen the movies, not helicopters of course, but VTOL aircraft making the same noise. NOMAD drops bombs where deemed necessary creating massive explosions. You can tell who the replicants are because they have holes in their heads, but most conveniently have human faces. There are military meetings, and Colonel Howell, played by Allison Janney, is someone you would want to have on your side.

A View of The Creator: I found myself at times wondering who the creator actually is, and just to provide a bit of help, it is probably, Maya Joshua’s wife. Even after reading the Wikipedia explanation, I am just a bit confused by the plot, and have a hunch that there are plot holes. However the machines are absolutely terrific, some straight off the Chris Foss drawing board. You can see the associations with other films, Star Wars, Blade Runner, Apocalypse Now and, surprisingly, Battleship. But despite its lack of originality it is worth a view of you are an SF fan.

I have reviewed other Gareth Edwards films on this site. They are The Raid, Monsters and Rogue One.