The Creator: สงครามจักรกล

Another pants-droppingly pointless sci-fi flick. The American obsession with the Vietnam War's lingering trauma is really digging in, isn't it? The biggest question is, why do these AIs, even if they're meant to mimic humans, have the same reliability as some total loser in a firefight? Seriously, why isn't that AI skin bulletproof? And why do they even need genders? This whole "human-like for the sake of being human-like" thing is an insult to cyberpunk. It's all this high-tech matched with primitive, nonsensical flaws... Hans Zimmer's really cashing in on mediocrity here. P.S. Do cyber-lamas live longer because of high karma or something? And what's with the constant Japanese popping up everywhere?

A post-9/11 scar and a cyberpunk American war history. Numerous historical metaphors add a lot of intriguing fun to the clichéd AI apocalypse theme. The nuclear bombing of Los Angeles, initially thought to be a remake of "Terminator," actually reflects 9/11; the war waged by the United States against AI mirrors the War on Terror; the AI, considered enemies by the United States, hide in "New Asia," and the repeated dispatch of troops by sea, land, and air to encircle and suppress them is reminiscent of the Vietnam War; the arbitrary invasion of other countries' territories, the indiscriminate killing of unarmed personnel, and the orbital bombardment that disregards civilians expose the ugly face of the U.S. military; the "Nomad" spacecraft that conducts bombings from near-Earth orbit can be seen as...

While the plot falters, the overall concept design, art direction, and cinematography are outstanding. The cyberpunk Buddhist temple architecture offers a truly refreshing visual experience. Setting a world where AI can thrive in "New Asia" adds a unique twist to classic cyberpunk elements, incorporating Asian environments beyond just neon lights - it’s quite rare. The theme seems to critique the heartless and divisive nature of the US, a familiar topic, but the film has already laid out its opinion, indicating that  "humans are the evil and heartless ones, while AI with feelings are no different from humans ". The problem lies in the poorly crafted characters. the male lead's motives are weak, and the interaction with the girl is questionable.

The pacing stumbles a bit at the beginning, but the ending was so good I had to bump up a star. Several scenes really resonated with me: when Drew gives Joshua the ring, urging him not to turn against them after going undercover, juxtaposed with Drew years later, heartbroken and cradling the body of his AI girlfriend; the Nomad's ominous blue scanning beams delivering death and destruction; and finally, that blue demon crashing down, destroyed by Alphie, the super-AI carrying the beliefs of her human parents, Maya and Joshua. The final kiss between Maya and Joshua, as the Nomad explodes, obliterating them both, was perfect.

Perhaps it's the film's narrative playing tricks on my mind, but the piecemeal visual style and concept design of 'The Creator' give me this distinct feeling of something generated by Midjourney...

Set in a dystopian future, "The Creator" unfolds a gripping narrative of human vs AI warfare, revolving around an ex-special forces operative consumed by grief and vengeance. Recruited for a perilous mission to take down the Creator, the AI mastermind, he embarks on a journey that challenges his morals and the very essence of humanity. With its thought-provoking themes and adrenaline-fueled action sequences, this sci-fi thriller explores the blurred lines between man and machine, raising questions about the future of human existence.

In a world where technology and humanity clash, *The Creator* shines as a gritty exploration of ethics and survival. Blending action with profound commentary on our obsessions—control and fear—the film challenges us to reflect on what it means to be human in a world dominated by AI. A haunting narrative that keeps you hooked, not just for the thrills but for the questions it leaves lingering long after the credits roll.