Atlas attempts to deliver a high-octane futuristic action thriller but instead sets a new low for Netflix’s big-budget offerings. Directed by Brad Peyton, this film stars Jennifer Lopez as a soldier with deep-seated trust issues in a world dominated by artificial intelligence. Despite its promising premise, Atlas is a rote, ridiculous, and tragically irredeemable addition to Netflix’s catalog of original films.
Atlas American Movie Review
Contents
Atlas American Movie Plot and Performance:
Jennifer Lopez, known for her reliability in delivering strong performances, plays the titular character Atlas Shepherd, a super-smart scientist with a deep hatred for artificial intelligence. She lives alone in a hyper-futuristic Los Angeles teetering on the brink of annihilation, orchestrated by a rogue cyborg named Harlan, played by Simu Liu. The backstory reveals that Atlas inadvertently triggered Harlan’s descent into villainy during her childhood, paralleling James Franco’s character from the Planet of the Apes reboot, whose good intentions led to disastrous consequences.
Atlas American Movie Direction and Writing:
Brad Peyton, who previously directed San Andreas and Rampage, struggles to replicate the self-aware silliness and technical competence of his past works. The screenplay by Leo Sardarian and Aron Eli Coleite fails to inject life into the narrative. Atlas, a genius who operates by her own rules, is sent on a mission to a distant planet as a bounty hunter to capture Harlan. After her ship crashes and her platoon is decimated, Atlas realizes she must trust the AI to save humanity.
Atlas American Movie Visuals and Technical Aspects:
The film’s visuals are another major disappointment. The CGI is subpar, making Atlas arguably the ugliest-looking movie of the year. The lifeless special effects highlight a deeper issue: a filmmaking approach that feels more algorithmic than artistic. Despite being a futuristic thriller, the film’s aesthetics are an eyesore, with scenes that could have been entirely pre-visualized on a computer.
Action and Engagement:
The action sequences are uninspired and repetitive. A particularly egregious choice by Peyton and his writers is to have Lopez immobilized for a significant portion of the film. Atlas, clad in a mech suit reminiscent of Aliens, is static for much of the supposed action-packed narrative. The dialogue is cliché-ridden, with characters spouting lines like “My turn” and “He’s targeting my fusion reactor” that add to the film’s unintentional humor.
Atlas American Movie Cast and Chemistry:
Lopez is often isolated on screen, either acting alone or with the disembodied voice of an AI assistant. The attempts to create buddy-movie banter between Atlas and the AI fall flat, resulting in some of the most lifeless scenes. Despite the presence of talented actors like Sterling K. Brown and Mark Strong, the cast’s performances are undermined by the weak script and direction.
FAQs: (Frequently asked Questions)
- What is Atlas about?
Atlas is a futuristic action thriller about a scientist named Atlas Shepherd, who must confront her distrust of AI to stop a rogue cyborg from annihilating humanity.
- Who directed Atlas?
The film was directed by Brad Peyton, known for his work on San Andreas and Rampage.
- Who stars in Atlas?
Jennifer Lopez stars as Atlas Shepherd, with Simu Liu, Sterling K. Brown, and Mark Strong in supporting roles.
- What is the runtime of Atlas?
The movie has a runtime of approximately two hours.
- Where can I watch Atlas?
Atlas is available exclusively on Netflix.
- What are the central themes of Atlas?
The film explores themes of trust, the ethical implications of AI, and the complexities of human relationships with technology.
- How has Atlas been received by critics?
Atlas has been critically panned, receiving a rating of 1/5 for its uninspired plot, poor visual effects, and weak performances.
- Is Atlas based on a book or original script?
Atlas is based on an original screenplay by Leo Sardarian, with rewrites by Aron Eli Coleite.
- What production companies were involved in making Atlas?
The film is a co-production of ASAP Entertainment, Safehouse Pictures, Nuyorican Productions, and Berlanti-Schechter Films.
- Who composed the music for Atlas?
The score for Atlas was composed by Andrew Lockington.
Conclusion:
Atlas is a significant misfire for Netflix, continuing the trend of disappointing big-budget releases like Damsel and Rebel Moon — Part 2: The Scargiver. With a 1/5 rating, it fails to deliver on any front, from its uninspired plot and poor visual effects to its lackluster performances and direction. For fans of science fiction and action thrillers, Atlas is a regrettable watch.
Also read: Atlas: American Science Fiction Action Thriller Movie Available to Watch on Netflix
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