In the vast landscape of cinema, some films etch themselves into your memory, demanding analysis and discussion.Others, well, they’re so spectacularly awful that it’s almost effortless to articulate their shortcomings. Take Oppenheimer, a technical marvel with a thought-provoking narrative, and Unfrosted, a comedy so stale it could be used to patch up the ozone layer. These movies, good or bad, are easily categorized and reviewed.
Atlas
But then there are those elusive films like Atlas, a perplexing paradox that defies easy categorization. It’s a sleek,somewhat competent production, brimming with ludicrous ideas and a cast that seems to be acting in separate movies altogether. In many ways, Atlas embodies the pitfalls of streaming-only films: visually flat, a plot cobbled together from the remnants of superior sci-fi flicks, and an overall lack of authenticity. It feels like something Jenna Maroney from 30 Rock would star in after her straight-to-DVD disaster, “The Rural Juror.” And yet, despite all this, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. It’s a guilty pleasure, I confess, and one that owes its existence almost entirely to Jennifer Lopez.
Lopez, with her unwavering seriousness and a touch of stern-faced absurdity, elevates this material beyond its inherent silliness. She infuses the film with a peculiar charm, making it a surprisingly delightful watch.
A Familiar Tune in a Sci-Fi Symphony
If you took a blender and tossed in some of the most iconic sci-fi movies of the past four decades, the resulting concoction might resemble the plot of Atlas. It borrows heavily from, and at times outright plagiarizes, classics like Aliens, Blade Runner, Starship Troopers, Robot Jox, Pacific Rim, I, Robot, The Iron Giant, and a generous helping of MCU films.
Set in the near future, Atlas envisions a world dominated by AI, both for good and ill. Sentient machines now brew your morning coffee and delve into your deepest thoughts, but they also harbor the potential to annihilate humanity. Enter Harlan (Simu Liu), a rogue AI who, 29 years ago, attempted to wipe out mankind and now commands an army of disgruntled, hyper-intelligent robots on a distant planet.
Our only hope? Atlas Shepherd, a brilliant data analyst with a hidden talent for ass-kicking. We’re introduced to her playing chess against a robot, which she promptly defeats before using a chess piece to obliterate the android’s disembodied head. She’s clearly a genius, a warrior, and, judging by her perpetually tousled hair and allusions to a traumatic past, a bit of a mess.
Atlas is quickly convinced to join a team of Marines on a mission to neutralize Harlan before he reaches Earth. Just when you think the movie is settling into a comfortable Aliens tribute, it takes a sharp turn, eliminates most of the Marines, and morphs into a tale of a woman and her robot companion. Atlas finds herself relying on Smith, an AI-powered suit of armor reminiscent of a less impressive Mobile Suit Gundam, to thwart Harlan’s nefarious plans.
J.Lo to the Rescue
The plot of Atlas is a patchwork of borrowed sci-fi tropes, never quite managing to establish its own unique identity.There are fleeting moments, such as Atlas’ philosophical debates with Smith about the nature of souls, that hint at deeper themes, but they are quickly overshadowed by generic action sequences (though admittedly well-executed). The CG effects range from impressive (the futuristic Los Angeles skyline) to mediocre (J.Lo piloting Smith), and the overall visual aesthetic, dominated by burnt orange and reflective surfaces, can be a bit overwhelming.
The acting, while uneven, has its moments. Mark Strong and Sterling K. Brown deliver solid performances, albeit with a detached professionalism that makes them easily forgettable. Simu Liu, as Harlan, channels a Barry Keoghan vibe and chews scenery with gusto, suggesting he could be our generation’s George Hamilton (a compliment, indeed).
But it’s Jennifer Lopez who truly steals the show. As the tormented yet undeniably stunning heroine, Lopez throws herself wholeheartedly into the role, despite the character being a collection of “tough action chick” clichés that even Milla Jovovich might find tiresome. It’s a testament to Lopez’s talent that she manages to make this material work, imbuing the character with such conviction that you can’t help but take her seriously. She reminds us that, beneath the pop star persona and Dunkin’ Donuts endorsements, she is a captivating screen presence, as evidenced by her roles in forgotten gems like Blood and Wine and Out of Sight.
I, J.Lo: The Savior of Atlas
Even when the script falters, Lopez rises to the occasion, transforming what could have been a groan-inducing film into a frivolous and entertaining romp. Not everyone will share my enthusiasm, and that’s perfectly understandable. Atlas is the kind of movie that demands a specific mood and a willingness to suspend disbelief.
Fortunately, I stumbled upon Atlas at the perfect time, and I was able to revel in its cheesy sci-fi goodness. There’s a place for serious sci-fi epics like Dune: Part Two, but sometimes, you just need a mindless B-movie to unwind with on the couch.