“Atlas” Is Nothing But A Disaster

Director: Brad Peyton
Rating: 2/10

Netflix’s latest entry to the sci-fi genre, “Atlas” is, sadly, an unmitigated disaster in so many aspects. The film follows a brilliant data analyst with a deep distrust of AI and finds it may be her only hope when a mission to capture a renegade robot goes awry. The premise itself may sound interesting and unique, but it’s very convoluted and messy, setting the movie for the chaos that unfolds as the movie progresses. If there is another level of “6 feet below the ground” disappointment, this movie hits rock bottom and digs even deeper. 

Jennifer Lopez has made herself one of our beloved actresses and singers, with standout performances in films like “Selena,” “Maid in Manhattan,” “Hustlers,” (in which she should have been nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy that year), and even Tarsem Singh’s dark and experimental movie “The Cell”. Her talent in acting is undeniable, but her latest performance in “Atlas” is a stark departure from her former glamor days in acting. While she does what she thinks best for a movie that is lacking in creativity and uniqueness, unfortunately, her performance is also a far cry from her usual standard. As an avid fan of movies, I always think that a strong performance can elevate an otherwise subpar movie and an actor can only give a good or bad performance if the script is great or not, sadly, JLo’s efforts fall flat, exacerbating the film's numerous flaws. It’s hard to comprehend what made her agree to this downright formulaic movie. 

Whilst the movie intends to deliver a fun adventurous sci-fi flick, unfortunately, it delivers nothing but convoluted and disjointed storytelling. The concept of a data analyst teaming up with an AI to capture another robot may, on paper, sound interesting, but in execution, it falls into this formulaic sci-fi flick that goes nowhere but downhill. The plot of the movie is riddled with clichés and predictability, making it a slog and hard to get through. 

“Atlas” is clearly a missed opportunity on so many fronts. The pacing is painfully slow and sluggish, dragging the viewers through scenes that feel endless and meaningless. Character development is nonexistent to other characters except for the protagonist, leaving the audience with only one character to connect to despite having so many characters that are being introduced. With storytelling that is generic and uninspired, leaning towards the edge of campiness but never fully committing, resulting in a narrative that is confusing, shallow, and painfully generic.

While the movie attempts to address a very relevant and timely issue which is the use of AI and its implications in today’s society, it does so in a way that feels heavy-handed and demotivated. The movie tries to convey themes of family, loyalty, and the ethical use of advanced technology, but these elements feel recycled and trite. The action sequences also lacked originality and felt uninspired. It’s as if the movie is trying to say something profound but gets lost in its own noise, leaving the audience with a hollow experience. 

Netflix

The premise of “Atlas” feels like someone who has a vendetta against AI decided to make a movie about it and let AI write and direct it. The result is a film that is nonsensical, emotionless for a supposed romance, and oftentimes ridiculous. The dialogues are high-end cringe-worthy, cheaper than thrift shop finds, and fail to engage or resonate. The title “Atlas” suggests a sense of weight and importance, but the film itself should have been left on the cutting room floor.

One of the most glaring issues of the movie is its lack of emotional depth. For a film that attempts to explore complex themes, it falls short of delivering any meaningful emotional impact. The romance subplot is lifeless and devoid of any genuine connection, making it hard for viewers to invest in the characters. Visually, the movie is also a mixed bag. While there are moments of impressive special effects, they are overshadowed by the movie’s overall lackluster direction and cinematography. The action sequences, which should be the film’s highlight, are poorly choreographed and copied from video games, which failed to generate any real excitement. Every aspect of this movie falls into an overall sense of mediocrity. 

In conclusion, “Atlas” is a film that promises much but delivers little. Its convoluted plot, lackluster performances, and uninspired direction make it hard to watch. Jennifer Lopez, despite her best efforts, is unable to salvage a film that is fundamentally flawed in every aspect. While the movie attempts to tackle important themes related to AI and its role in society, it does so in a way that feels heavy-handed and unoriginal. In a landscape filled with innovative and thought-provoking sci-fi films, “Atlas” stands out as a glaring misstep. While the title of the movie is “Atlas”, they should have just kept it in the draft.