In the context of science fiction, AI going rogue is not something very new. Not just movies, but video games, novels, audiobooks, etc have explored this genre for as long as I can remember and the let’s Netflix arrival Atlas, starring Jennifer Lopez, is not an exception. However, this movie incorporated a familiar element to this scenario that a lot of us would relate to. Remember Titanfall? Well, mix fighting against a highly advanced AI, and voila! you have Atlas. Even though director Brad Peyton explicitly said that Titanfall has been an influence, I didn’t expect it to be “Influenced-Influenced”. So, let’s cling to our hopes for Titanfall 3 and go through this Atlas movie review.
Atlas – The Familiar Plot
The central plot of Atlas is AI going “Skynet” on the human race with a full-on rebellion killing off more than 5 million people. The leader of this AI rebellion is called Harlem played by Simu Li. Atlas is the protagonist played by Jeniffer Lopez. She is a super smart analyst working for ICN (International Coalition of Nations) and the daughter of a scientist named Val Shephard who created Harlem as the next step toward human advancement.
However, since young Atlas is ‘jealous’ of Harlem and her mother pays more attention to him, she asks Harlem to “make her better”. Seeing this as an opportunity Harlem tricks Atlas into allowing him to create a two-way link that lets the AI breach into the human mind and take full control of it.
When Harlem sees the destruction caused by humanity on Planet Earth he thinks of one way to save humanity, any guesses? If you thought total annihilation of the human race, you are correct. This event leads to a full-fledged war between humans and AI led by Harlem.
However, humanity forms the ICN and when Harlem is overwhelmed, he runs away from the planet with a promise to return to finish what he started. Atlas as a grown-up, finds out that Harlem is hiding on a planet called GR-39 in the Andromeda Galaxy and the rest of the movie revolves around her trying to eliminate Harlem.
The Dilemma of AI Reliability
The central theme at work in Atlas is the dilemma of AI reliability. The lead protagonist Atlas deeply resents AI because of what Harlem did to her mom and humanity. However, this resentment and distrust is countered by Smith, the AI embedded in the ARC-9 Mech Suit she is forced to pilot when her battleship is ambushed by Harlem’s forces while entering the atmosphere of GR-39.
The dilemma shown in the movie is very real even in the real world. As of now, the world is divided into two factions, one that is fascinated by the advancement we are seeing in AI technology and the other that is scared of it. However, the overall plot development of the movie, where Atlas gradually learns that not all AI is bad seems to be putting forward a point that every bad aspect of AI, or any tech, also has a good counterpart to it much like Harlem and Smith. So, now that I have given you folks the general overview and theme of Atlas, let’s talk about the overall movie.
Visuals Are Expansive
Movies that come out of Netflix have a bad rep when it comes to visual aspects and VFX. A huge example of this is the Rebel Moon franchise by Zack Snyder. However, if you have watched Spaceman you’ll agree that it does not always disappoint. Now, if we talk about Atlas, the visual aspect of it is very well taken care of. The scene-building of the planet GR-39 is as beautiful as it gets with minute details like the pollen shedding from the mushroom-like plant, the physics of the storms, and the overall environment is very well built.
The combat sequences are also extremely fluid and detailed. The scene where the mechs are ambushed and two of them fight the droids attacking them back to back is as fluid as it gets. Other than that, Atlas’ struggle to combat Harlem’s armies because of her unfamiliarity with the ARC-9 is very well carried out, and her gradually developing combat skills as she grows familiar with the mech are very detailed. So, when it comes to visuals, Atlas deserves to be appreciated.
A Plot-Less Visual Extravaganza
No matter how visually beautiful a movie is, it cannot be called a good movie if the plot lacks a certain depth. Atlas is visually stunning, yes, but it seems as if all the brains working on this movie were confined only to the visuals department. The plot is very generic and seems to be a mix of all the Terminator movies ever made only happening on a different planet, with mech suits and of course, Jeniffer Lopez.
It’s the same, plot we have seen multiple times over the years featuring a dysfunctional adult trying to cope with childhood trauma induced by the villain. They have made it their life’s mission to kill the villain but get themselves in a situation where they have to team up with someone or something they truly despise gradually developing a deep bond with the initially despised partner.
If Netflix wants the audience to enjoy its originals, they will have to do something new with it. The plot of Atlas was so generic that I could predict what’s gonna happen in the next scene. So yeah, Atlas failed to win me over with the plot it offered.
Atlas or Titanfall?
We all knew that Atlas was going to be somewhat inspired by the elements of Titanfall but the influence was nowhere near to what you would call to be “somewhat”. The movie takes in major elements from Titanfall like “Protocol 3-Protect the Pilot” by spinning it with “Protect the Ranger” along with some of the most memorable dialogues in the franchise.
Titanfall’s most beloved mech, BT-7274’s “Trust Me” is incorporated at multiple points in Atlas. Along with that, we also get to hear a reference to his “I detect Sarcasm” dialogue. The weapons design of ARC-9 Mechs is also very similar to what we have seen in Titanfall. The wrist rifles, the shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, and multiple other aspects of the Mechs themselves scream Titanfall.
The relationship that develops between Smith, the AI embedded in the mech, and Atlas is very similar to how the relationship between Jack Cooper and BT-7274 developed. Even the way the Smith and BT sacrifice themselves to “Save the Pilot/Ranger” is similar.
If we keep all that aside, even Atlas itself is a class of Mechs in the game. At this point, I feel Brad Peyton should have just made a Titanfall movie if he wanted to use all the elements from the game with nothing new to offer.
Should You Watch Atlas?
Now let’s move to the big question, should you watch Titanfall-I mean-Atlas or not? Well, this is a movie you will not have a bad time watching but will also not be blown away by. So if you are looking forward to just watching something for fun, you can definitely watch Atlas.
Other than that, if you are a fan of Titanfall (who isn’t) you should check out Atlas. Even though the movie does not have anything very special to offer, the overall appeal of the Skynet-ish, Titanfall-ish, and Terminator-ish elements in the movie make it a fun watch. I’m not a very big fan of Jennifer Lopez but her chemistry with Smith is something I found very intriguing so cookie points for that. Oh, and I must warn you that you might get an overwhelming urge to reinstall Titanfall 2 after watching Atlas. “Trust me”.
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